Ron Schoenbaum focuses on patent protection for companies in the information technology and medical electronics areas.
Ron's practice includes strategic patent procurement, general counseling on infringement and licensing issues, and intellectual property due diligence studies and related negotiations for mergers and acquisitions. He also frequently conducts in-house seminars to assist clients in identifying and prioritizing patentable inventions.
Ron represents a variety of information technology companies in such areas as machine learning, network security, robotics, user interface design, search engines, web analytics, content delivery networks, application performance testing and monitoring, and web site personalization. He also has significant experience in the areas of cardiac pacing, medical sensors and medical imaging.
A significant portion of Ron's practice involves appeals and other special proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Before joining the firm, Ron worked as an engineer for IBM’s Computer Products and Entry Systems divisions, where he was responsible for designing and developing processor cards and ASICs for workstations and mainframe computers. During his employment at IBM, he was selected to participate in IBM’s Executive Resource (management fast track) program.
Ron has been honored for his legal accomplishments:
- Named one of "The World's Leading Patent Professionals" in the Patent 1000 guide by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) magazine for Prosecution (2013-2019). In the 2018 guide, Ron was recognized by a client as being "one of the very best patent experts in the software space" and was commended for his "deep knowledge of patent procedures and case law, as well as his unique claim drafting strategies". He was also praised for "building [portoflios] that can defy the toughest testing in the federal courts".
- Recognized in The Legal 500 "United States 2015" as being an outstanding practitioner. In this guide, he was described as an attorney who "prepares patent applications so they can withstand attack during litigation."
- Selected by Super Lawyers magazine in 2004
Co-Author, "Clarity and Progress at the USPTO: The USPTO Publishes Revised Guidance on Patent Eligible Subject Matter," Knobbe Martens Firm Alert (January 2019)
"Ten Strategies for Aggressively Building a Patent Portfolio," Medical Device and Diagnostics Industry (MD+DI) (November 17, 2016)
"Deep Machine Learning," Calit2 Igniting Technology, Irvine, CA (June 2016)
"Patentable Subject Matter after Bilski," Orange County Patent Law Association (OCPLA) (2010)
Author, "Protection of Computer Technology" chapter in CEB’s second edition of "Trade Secrets Practice in California"
Speeches & Seminars
"Drawing the Line on Business Method Patents", IBA Silicon Beach Confernece, Santa Monica, CA (February 2, 2017)
"Strategies for Aggressively Building a Patent Portfolio", Plug & Play Tech Center Seminar, Sunnyvale, CA (September 2016)
"Can I Still Get a Patent on That? Best Practices for Protecting Innovations in the Software, High Technology and Biotech Industries," IP Impact 2013 Seminar, Palo Alto, CA (September 2013)
"Latest IP Issues Affecting High-Tech Companies," IP Impact 2012 Seminar, Palo Alto, CA (September 2012)
"How to Jump Start Your Company's Patent Program," IP Impact 2011 Seminar, Menlo Park, CA (September 2011)
"Recent Supreme Court and Federal Circuit Decisions You Need to Know About," IP Impact 2010 Seminar, Menlo Park, CA (July 2010)
"Patent program management - How to effectively identify and assess inventions, avoid losing patent rights, and administer patent committees," IP Impact 2010 Seminar, Menlo Park, CA (July 2010)
Lecturer at Orange Country Patent Law Association programs, and various seminars, on various topics involving patent and trade secret protection for computer technologies