Chronology

Chronology of key events in Dr. Gary K. Michelson’s career and life.

2005

Dr. Gary Michelson is most known for the $1.35 billion settlement he received from medical device maker, Medtronic (Sofamor Danek), in 2005. He spent years in litigation over his patents before the settlement was reached. The dispute grew out of disagreements over obligations under contracts in the early 1990’s covering the licensing of Dr. Michelson’s inventions to Sofamor Danek, a company in Memphis.
2011
Dr. Gary K. Michelson was an instrumental part of developing and implementing key aspects if the America Invents Act (AIA) of 2011. This law represents the most significant change to the U.S. patent system since 1952. It was passed by Congress and was signed into law by President Barack Obama on September 16, 2011.