C. Tumey Law Group

About C. Tumey Law Group — Civil Rights Houston, Texas

C. Tumey Law Group provides civil rights Houston inventors, creators, and businesses depend on to protect their intellectual property in Harris County and federal courts across Texas. Founded by Corey Tumey, the firm fields 11 legal professionals with many decades of combined experience in patent procurement, IP litigation, trademarks, copyrights, and post-grant proceedings. The constitutional right of inventors and authors to protect their work — grounded in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution — is the foundation of every matter the firm handles.

Intellectual property rights are a form of civil rights. When a competitor infringes a patent, steals a trademark, or copies copyrighted work, they violate legal rights with real economic consequences. C. Tumey Law Group litigates these disputes in Texas federal courts, including the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston, and pursues post-grant proceedings at the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board. The firm also helps small businesses in Harris County understand and secure their IP rights before disputes arise.

What Clients Say

Clients describe C. Tumey Law Group as knowledgeable and strategic. The firm is recognized for explaining complex patent and IP law clearly to inventors and business owners who are unfamiliar with the legal process, and for developing practical enforcement strategies tailored to each client’s budget and goals.

Civil Rights Houston — Practice Areas & Services

• Patent procurement and prosecution — securing inventor rights before the USPTO for Houston-area innovators
• IP litigation — enforcing civil rights Houston patent holders deserve in Texas federal courts
• Post-grant proceedings — IPR, PGR, and ex-parte reexaminations at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
• Trademarks and copyrights — protecting brand and creative rights for Harris County businesses
• Civil rights attorneys for IP licensing, agreements, and strategic IP counseling

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are patent and IP cases filed in Houston?

Most patent infringement and IP litigation cases in Houston are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. The Southern District has significant experience with technology, energy, and pharmaceutical IP disputes. Some cases — particularly those involving design patents and copyright — may also be filed in Texas state courts in Harris County when state law claims are included.

What is an IPR proceeding and how does it protect my IP rights?

An Inter Partes Review (IPR) is an administrative proceeding before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) that allows a party to challenge the validity of an issued patent. IPRs are faster and less expensive than district court litigation and can be used both offensively — to invalidate a competitor’s patent — and defensively to gain leverage in litigation. The PTAB’s decisions are subject to appeal to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.

How long do I have to file a patent infringement lawsuit in Texas?

Under federal law, patent infringement claims must be filed within six years of the date of each infringement act. However, the earlier a claim is filed, the more damages can be recovered — back damages are limited to six years before the filing date. In the Southern District of Texas, local patent rules impose tight scheduling requirements once a case is filed, making early attorney consultation essential.