Chapter launched on October 6 with event focused on diversity in the IP workplace
SEATTLE, Wash. October 17, 2022 – Knobbe Martens, one of the nation’s leading intellectual property law firms, is pleased to announce that partner Mauricio Uribe is co-leading the establishment of the Washington State Intellectual Property Alliance (WA IPA), which is the Washington State chapter of the U.S. Intellectual Property Alliance (USIPA). Mr. Uribe is also serving as the organization’s first president.
Through the efforts of WA IPA, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee proclaimed October 2022 Intellectual Property Month in Washington State to recognize the state’s leadership in intellectual property knowledge, innovation and inventions, and contributions from the technology and creative media industries.
WA IPA is leading the month-long celebration with an exclusive IP community event focused on diversity in the IP workplace, including perspectives from IP practitioners in private practice and at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). WA IPA is hosting two events for the month-long celebration: a Corporate Roundtable featuring Bill Harmon, Head of IP at Uber on Monday, October 17, and a Careers in Intellectual Property panel presentation in partnership with the University of Washington School of Law on Thursday, October 27.
WA IPA will be ushering in the new year in January with an exclusive IP community event focused on diversity in the IP workplace, including perspectives from IP practitioners in private practice and at the USPTO. More information on this event will be available on the WA IPA’s website here.
WA IPA will focus on programming for the entire state centered on raising awareness about intellectual property and its importance in the lives of all Americans, based on three pillars of Education, Diversity and Inclusion, and Community. WA IPA works to educate and help build a knowledgeable IP workforce through education, including K-12 schools, universities and other curricula. The organization is active at local levels to foster IP development, economic prosperity and social well-being and also works with the USIPA for national level events.
“One of the greatest attributes about WA IPA is that it is not intended to compete with any other established IP organization or provide redundant programs,” said Mr. Uribe. “Rather, we look to partner with any other organization that aligns with our three pillars and provide additional mission fit programs to fulfill in accordance with the established pillars.”
In addition to lawyers and inventors, the WA IPA charter envisions a thriving network of academics, corporate counsel and venture capitalists.
“One major technology company in Washington finds and funds young inventors with unique, patent-worthy technologies,” added Mr. Uribe. “WA IPA is looking to evangelize that same level of education and support to the entire state of Washington. We are all seeking to inspire and educate the next generation of inventors, entrepreneurs, and contributors.”
The WA IPA is currently accepting members from throughout the Washington IP community and anticipates hosting a number of education and social events in the coming months. For more information about the WA IPA, click here.
About Mauricio Uribe
For more than 15 years, Mauricio Uribe has counseled clients about licensing strategy and engaged in their license negotiations. His experience includes all standard essential patent licensing matters, and he is well-versed in international case law and licensing models. In addition, Mr. Uribe assists clients around the world to set up licensing programs, identify and cultivate essential patent assets, develop responses to licensing offers and establish holistic licensing processes.
Mr. Uribe also has wide-ranging experience in developing patent portfolios and intellectual property assets. He provides counsel on patentability, due diligence and infringement-mitigation matters and on comprehensive intellectual property programs, including litigation and complex, global patent and technology licensing. He is active in the prosecution of patent applications in both the electrical engineering and computer software fields.
About the WA – IPA Board
In addition to Mr. Uribe, the executive team leading the launch of the chapter includes: Andy Salvador, director, intellectual property at AT&T; Lawrence (Larry) Locker, partner, Summit Law Group; and Dana Northcott, vice president and associate general counsel, Intellectual Property, Amazon. Knobbe Martens, Summit Law Group, and Lane Powell are the founding sponsors of the WA IPA.
About Knobbe Martens
Knobbe Martens is a highly respected intellectual property law firm, offering legal services in all aspects of intellectual property and technology law. The firm’s litigation group handles cases throughout the U.S. and coordinates strategy for disputes worldwide. Founded in California in 1962, the firm has about 300 lawyers and scientists based in offices located in Orange County, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C. Knobbe Martens serves a diverse international client base, from multinational corporations to emerging businesses of all stages. More information about the firm can be found at www.knobbe.com.
