Ken Burraston

About Ken Burraston

I am a registered patent attorney with many years of experience in IP law, including working as a patent examiner at the USPTO, litigating patent and trade secret cases, and building worldwide patent portfolios. But what sets me apart is my experience in more unusual facets of IP law. For instance, I have participated in standards-setting organizations, open-source software licensing, allocating IP assets in corporate mergers and acquisitions, IP in government contracts, patent licensing campaigns involving third-party litigation funders, third-party-funded research and development, and IP in a variety of diverse types of agreements.One of my strengths is my ability to work collaboratively with others. I build strong relationships with fellow employees and outside partners and understand the importance of aligning IP strategy to business objectives. I am also passionate about improving internal processes to increase effectiveness.I have a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and work with a variety of complex technologies. Examples include artificial intelligence and machine learning, digital signal processing, computer networks, digital media, fiber optics, cybersecurity, communication systems, satellites, tactical data links, web browsers, and more.

Experience

1. Senior Ip Counsel

   Viasat

   Dec 2015 — Present · Carlsbad, CA, US

   Develop and maintain worldwide IP portfolios• Formulate and implement IP strategies for both commercial and government business segments. • Lead processes for identifying and harvesting inventions. • Conduct patent committee meetings. • Manage prosecution of patent applications around the world. • Manage maintenance of patent and trade secret portfolios. • Organize and manage specialized IP committees for (i) company-developed, machine-learning technology; and (ii) government business lines. • Build relationships throughout the company. Conduct engaging educational presentations regarding IP law and strategy. Open-source software • Improve and manage processes for using open-source software. • Regularly advise stakeholders regarding many different open-source software licenses. Patent enforcement and licensing• Plan and manage patent-licensing campaigns funded by third-party litigation investors. Mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures • Conduct IP due diligence in mergers and acquisitions, including dividing IP assets between retained and sold business lines. Contracts, development agreements, and licenses • Negotiate and advise stakeholders regarding IP agreements and IP aspects of contracts with customers, suppliers, and partners. • Evaluate IP issues in joint development and sponsored research agreements. Experience with legal issues in unique scenarios• IP issues in government contracts and markets, including FAR/DFARS data rights. • Set up and participate in standard-setting organizations.• Generative AI tools (e.g, ChatGPT) for creating software and other materials for company products and services. • Funding from government and quasi-governmental entities for research and development of new technologies and products.

Education

• The George Washington University Law School

  Doctor of Law - JD, Law

• Brigham Young University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Electrical Engineering

Skills

• Intellectual Property
• Service Level Agreements
• Trade Secrets
• Patent Portfolio Analysis
• Reexamination
• Registered Patent Attorney
• Commercial Litigation
• Trademarks
• Patents
• Invention
• Unfair Competition
• Patent Litigation
• Patent Applications
• Patentability
• Trademark Infringement
• Litigation
• Licensing
• Patent Law
• Us Patent
• Patent Prosecution
• Prosecution
• Appeals
• Copyright Law