Microsoft’s lead intellectual property lawyer headed to law firm Perkins Coie

2 min. read

Published onMay 12, 2016

published onMay 12, 2016

Share this article

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

As a company that deals extensively in intellectual property, Microsoft understandably employs an army of lawyers. Between defending their own IP and defending against claims of infringement, Microsoft’s lawyers are also likely a busy group. Recently, one of the company’s lead IP lawyers, Andy Culbert, has headed out for new opportunities, specifically to join law firm Perkins Coie and continue working as a professor at the University of Washington’s School of Law.

As thePuget Sound Business Journal reports:

The attorney who crafted Microsoft’s patent litigation strategy resigned from the Redmond company to split his time between Seattle-based law firm Perkins Coie and the University of Washington’s School of Law.

Andy Culbert became Microsoft’s (Nasdaq: MSFT) first intellectual property attorney 18 years ago. Throughout his tenure, Culbert worked on several landmark patent cases – including one before the U.S. Supreme Court that established the framework for U.S. companies to seek infringement damages internationally.

Microsoft has over 35,000 patents in its portfolio, a fact that’s not been lost onAndroid manufacturers who paid the company billions of dollarsover the years in licensing agreements. Culbert was instrumental in overseeing that portfolio, as well as generally applying his expertise and experience to ensuring that Microsoft’s investments in R&D were fully protected.

Microsoft will miss him, according to their statement:

“Andy made extraordinary contributions to Microsoft during his 18-year tenure as head of our patent litigation practice,” David Howard, Microsoft’s deputy general counsel, said in a statement, “and we wish him the best as he begins the next chapter of his career.”

Culbert joins a firm in Perkins Coie that employs over 1,000 attorneys in almost 20 cities around the world, and his heavily involved in the technology industry. He will also continue work at UW, where he was acting as a professor throughout most of his tenure at Microsoft.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

User forum

0 messages

Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes

Comment*

Name*

Email*

Commenting as.Not you?

Save information for future comments

Comment

Radu Tyrsina

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Microsoft’s lead intellectual property lawyer headed to law firm Perkins Coie#

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

Microsoft’s lead intellectual property lawyer headed to law firm Perkins Coie