Kerry S. Culpepper – principal
Kerry Culpepper has more than 15 years of experience in prosecution of patent applications before the patent offices in the United States, Europe and China. In his career, he has worked as a patent examiner at the United States Patent Office, an attorney at an intellectual property boutique law firm, in house counsel for a major automotive parts manufacturer and in house counsel for a major consumer electronics manufacturer.
Kerry has experience prosecuting applications in mechanical technologies and electrical technologies. His experience in mechanical technologies includes examining patent applications related to fluid handling and dispensing technology and preparing and prosecuting patent applications related to structural systems for satellites, industrial air control systems and brake control systems. His experience in electrical technologies includes preparing and prosecuting new applications for telecommunication devices, semiconductor fabrication processes, microprocessors, audio video equipment, encryption techniques and software processes. He also has experience in chemical technologies such as batteries and organic light emitting diodes.
Kerry has lectured on various aspects of patent and copyright law in Japan and the U.S. Recent topics include effective arguments of non-obviousness, design patent application basics, and the new post-grant procedures provided in the America Invents Act of 2011.
Kerry is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (1999), is a member of the bars of Virginia (2000), the District of Columbia (2001) and Hawai’i (2012). He received his J.D. from George Washington National Law Center (2000), his Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (1997) and a Masters of Electrical Engineering from George Mason University (2003).
Selected Client Representations
- Prepared and prosecuted patent applications globally for a telecommunication startup venture which was subsequently acquired by a Fortune 500 company.
- Prepared and successfully prosecuted patent applications for research laboratory of a fortune 500 company.
- Successfully prosecuted foreign originated applications to obtain essential patents which qualified to be part of the Blu-ray patent pool.
- Advised major microprocessor company regarding scope of claim coverage relative to a competitor
- Analyzed patents of a Non Practicing Entity (NPE) and prepared arguments of invalidity.
Ruriko Ito – legal assistant
Ruriko previously worked as a legal and administrative assistant for a major Japanese automobile manufacturer and a major Japanese home manufacturer. She has vast experience working with legal documents and interfacing with Japanese clients.
Ruriko received her Bachelor degree in English literature from Kwansei Gakuin University in Hyogo Japan. In her free time, she enjoys studying interior decorating and foreign cultures.
Non-affiliated Attorneys
Tobi Clinton – principal, Clinton Firm
Tobi has extensive experience litigating in patent related matters; prosecuting patent and trademark applications; negotiating intellectual property agreements, contracts and licenses; valuating intellectual property for the sale or purchase of portfolios and/or companies; and counseling clients on various other intellectual property matters.
Tobi is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (1999), and is a member of the California Bar (2000). He received his J.D. from George Washington National Law Center (1999), and his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Harvey Mudd College (1995).
Although Tobi is not a member of Culpepper IP, he works with Kerry Culpepper from time to time on patent related matters which do not conflict with his clients.
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