Chris Kuyper concentrates his practice on helping clients capture valuable innovation with an emphasis on patent counseling and licensing.
He has broad expertise in counseling a wide range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, startups, and universities. Before joining DWT, Chris was a product counsel at Microsoft, where he advised executives and engineers as a member of the Windows legal team. Prior to that, he was the lead IP counsel for the diagnostic ultrasound business of Koninklijke Philips, where he was involved in all aspects of IP, managed a large patent portfolio, and collaborated with colleagues across the globe to advance the business's IP interests. During his time as in-house counsel, Chris negotiated partnership agreements, licenses, and patent acquisition deals. He began his legal career as a patent attorney at a few firms in Seattle, developing his practice in prosecution, preparation, freedom-to-operate and patentability analyses, and providing support for proceedings before the PTAB.
While Chris is a trained chemist, he has significant experience in various technology areas, including software, electronics, biomedical devices, diagnostics, hardware, and AI.
Admitted to Practice
- Washington, 2009
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Education
- J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 2009, with honors
- Shidler Journal of Law, Commerce and Technology
- Moot Court Honor Board
- Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Washington, 2006
- M.S., Chemistry, University of Washington, 2006
- B.S., Chemistry and Geology, Fort Lewis College, 2001, summa cum laude
Background
- Principal Corporate Counsel, Microsoft Corp., Redmond, Wash., 2018-2021
- Senior IP Counsel, Koninklijke Philips, Bothell, Wash., 2013-2018
- Associate, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Seattle, 2012-2013
- Associate, Summer Associate & Law Clerk, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, Seattle, 2007-2012
- Legal Extern, Hon. Randall R. Rader, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Washington, D.C., 2008