Rob is an intellectual property attorney with a focus on technology companies, particularly those developing advanced software, electrical circuits and optoelectronics.

With a background in electrical engineering and business, Rob works closely with clients to develop comprehensive and forward-thinking intellectual property strategies. He advises clients on the full spectrum of patent-related matters, from determining whether an invention warrants patent protection to navigating the complexities of patent prosecution both domestically and internationally. Once a patent is secured, Rob assists in maximizing its value through commercialization strategies, licensing agreements and enforcement actions. His proactive approach ensures that clients not only protect their innovations but also fully leverage their intellectual property for business growth.

Rob’s extensive experience covers national and foreign patent procurement, where he manages global patent portfolios across diverse industries. In addition to handling patent applications and filings, he is well-versed in IP transactions, playing a crucial role in corporate mergers, acquisitions and technology transfer deals. He frequently advises clients during the due diligence process, helping them assess the value and potential risks associated with intellectual property assets.

Rob represents clients before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board as well as in federal courts, offering creative and strategic solutions for defending, challenging and enforcing patent rights. His representation spans from early-stage startups to large multinational corporations, and he is skilled at resolving complex disputes in a cost-effective manner.

Before embarking on his legal career, Rob gained five years of hands-on experience in the engineering field. His work in real-time embedded systems, wireless communications and machine automation provided him with a deep understanding of the technologies at the heart of many patent matters he handles today.

Professional Activities

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Member

• • Intellectual Property Committee (IPC)

Oregon State Bar, Intellectual Property Section, Member

Oregon Patent Law Association, Member

The Optical Society (OSA), Columbia Section, Board of Directors

• • Treasurer

Community Activities

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah, Former Member

Ford Scholars Alumni Association Board of Directors, Former Board of Directors

Oregon State University School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Industry Advisory Board

Technology Association of Oregon Advocacy Committee

TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) Young Entrepreneurs, Former Mentor

Experience

• • Handled IP aspects for sale of privately held technology company to Japanese multinational conglomerate company.
  • IP specialist for $100 million acquisition of company and its patent portfolio of over 100 properties.
  • Representation of a large private company in negotiating and drafting long-term SaaS and associated software implementation service contracts in connection with re-platforming its direct-to-consumer ecommerce website.
  • Representation of a private company in negotiating agreements in connection with obtaining an inventor assignment and exclusive long-term supply commitments of products relating to patent-pending technologies.
  • Representation of a company in developing a key patent portfolio for soft-switching circuitry forming the basis of an angel-backed spinoff.
  • Representation of a large private company subject to an aggressive patent licensing program that included a patent infringement suit. Rob analyzed the patent portfolio and prior art while preparing a petition as lead counsel for inter partes review (IPR). Result: favorable settlement avoiding costly litigation.
  • Prepared and successfully procured domestic and foreign patents across a broad field of electrical arts encompassing electronic circuitry, electro-optical and laser systems, medical devices, visual pattern recognition, video processing, computer networks and software, processor architectures, USB host controller design, cloud-based and Internet-centric business methods, data mining, 3GPP LTE and various WWAN/WLAN wireless communications standards and related datalink technologies, machine-to-machine (M2M) and machine-type communications (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, lighting devices, semiconductor wafer processing, liquid crystal devices and display systems, robotic equipment, and data readers. Representative U.S. procurement successes:
    • S. Patent No. 10,367,413, “Resonant System Controller and Cycle-By-Cycle Predictive Soft Switching”
    • S. Patent No. 9,813,077, “Asynchronous Electrical Circuitry Techniques for Producing
    • Stationary Carrier Signal to Encode Input Signal Amplitude Into Output Signal Time-Sequence Information”
    • S. Patent No. 9,607,609, “Method and Apparatus to Synthesize Voice Based on Facial Structures”
    • S. Patent No. 9,573,313, “Extruder Screw Shaft Alignment Apparatus and Method”
    • S. Patent No. 9,544,964, “Lighting Devices Employing Class-E Power Amplifier for Inductive
    • Power and Data Transfer in High-Moisture Operating Environments”
    • S. Patent No. 9,519,810, “Calibration and Self-Test in Automated Data Reading Systems”
    • S. Patent No. 9,495,571, “Two-Dimensional Representation of Linear Barcode Derived From Laser Barcode Scanner Scanline Data”
    • S. Patent No. 9,482,488, “Illuminated Reticle System for a Riflescope or Other Aimed Optical Device”
    • S. Patent No. 9,424,480, “Object Identification Using Optical Code Reading and Object Recognition”
    • S. Patent No. 9,025,445, “Machine Type Communication Monitoring Framework for 3GPP Systems”
    • S. Patent No. 8,752,768, “Systems and Methods for Reading Color Optical Codes”
    • S. Patent No. 8,521,934, “Multi-Port Context-Based Host Controller”