Education
- Smith College, B.A. in Art History and Computer Science
- Franklin Pierce Law Center, now the University of New Hampshire School of Law, M.A. in Intellectual Property
- Franklin Pierce Law Center, now the University of New Hampshire School of Law, J.D.
Giovanna H. Fessenden
Giovanna Fessenden’s practice focuses in all areas of intellectual property law with an emphasis on patents relating to computer software and architecture, including search engines, ad serving systems, web crawlers, web indexing systems, VoIP systems, video conferencing systems, data compression, video codecs, social networking tools, pay-per-click technologies, peer-to-peer systems, instant messaging systems, digital rights management, database systems, network intrusion detection systems, recommendation systems, pattern recognition, integrated development environments (IDEs), iPhone and tablet applications, compilers, interpreters, supply chain management forecasting systems, CT imaging technologies, CAD systems, and semiconductor manufacturing systems.
Her areas of concentration include object-oriented software and Internet technologies. Giovanna is fluent in several programming and scripting languages including Java, C++, C#, Perl, CGI, Lisp, C, C Music, Javascript, XML, and HTML.
She has also handled patent reexamination proceedings, patent litigation, trade secret misappropriation, copyright and trade dress infringement matters, trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings, and breach of contract actions. Giovanna has prepared validity and infringement opinions and software license agreements, technology transfer agreements, copyright publishing agreements, film production agreements, website terms of use agreements, and employee intellectual property agreements.
As a Communications Systems Analyst for the International Co-operative Alliance Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, Giovanna worked on software development, GUI and database development, application programming, server maintenance, database driven website creation and network administration. Giovanna has also worked as a Technology Consultant to the United Nations Committee for Advancement of Cooperatives in Geneva, Switzerland, where she worked in software development and animation. As a Programmer at Harvard University, she developed Java Applets and performed Flash ActionScript programming for an e-learning project.
While studying for her law degree, Giovanna held an internship at the United States Copyright Office where she assisted with the promulgation of regulations concerning webcasting transmissions and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
Giovanna is the firm’s Berkshire Representative and helps the firm maintain its presence in Western Massachusetts. She is also currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Hampshire School of Law (formerly, Franklin Pierce Law Center) teaching Patent Practice and Procedure 2.
Publications
Professional Associations
- Berkshire Bar Association
- Boston Patent Law Association
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for First Circuit
