Bruce Watson Email & Phone Number

Intellectual Property counseling. Patent and Trademark application preparation and prosecution. Patent and Trademark strategy and portfolio management.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Electrolux is a world leading manufacturer of major and small home appliances. Electrolux is committed to making your life better by integrating simple, intuitive design with fresh innovations, and making appliances that fit perfectly into your home and your life.As Associate General Counsel for Electrolux I proactively led all intellectual property matters, as well as provided commercial transaction and litigation support for Electrolux's floorcare and small appliance businesses in North America. I also managed all patent matters for dishwashing, laundry, cooking, and refrigeration businesses in North America. In these roles I directed the development and execution of IP Strategies in support of business objectives, including patent landscape assessment, patent portfolio strategy, patent portfolio management, patent clearance/right-to-use studies, and patent litigation evaluation and support. I also drafted and negotiated a wide range of IP related agreements, such as development, services, supply, license and confidentiality agreements. I also served as the IP lead for small appliance M&A IP due diligence and negotiation of IP portions of M&A transaction documents.

Corning, New York

Corning Incorporated is the world leader in specialty glass and ceramics. Drawing on more than 160 years of materials science and process engineering knowledge, Corning creates and makes keystone components that enable high-technology systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions control, telecommunications and life sciences.As Intellectual Property Counsel for Corning Incorporated I was an integral member of and lead IP counsel for the core management teams of several research and development programs in Corning's Science and Technology and Display Technology New Business Development units. In this role I led the development and execution of IP Strategies in support of business objectives, including patent landscape assessment, patent portfolio strategy, patent portfolio management, patent clearance/right-to-use studies, and drafting and negotiation of development, services, funded research, material transfer and confidentiality agreements with commercial, academic and government entities. I also drafted and prosecuted patent applications. I also managed legal department teams in the improvement of IP Department procedures and systems for things such as patent clearance processes; confidentiality and development agreements; agreement request and tracking software systems and processes; and intellectual property protection guidelines for China.

Newton, Iowa

Managing attorney for the Intellectual Property Law Department at Maytag corporate headquarters. Oversaw all intellectual property matters for Maytag laundry, cooking, refrigeration, dishwashing, vending, and small appliances, including patent clearance of new products, patent protection strategies for new products, and policing and enforcement of the patent portfolio. Managed patent litigation through supervision of outside litigation counsel. Integrated R&D at Dixie-Narco vending, and Amana Appliances into the Maytag corporate IP systems.

Rochester, New York

Generated portfolios of patents infringed by select competitors for assertion against the select competitors in a negotiation environment in order to negotiate revenue generating licenses. Counseled client regarding claim interpretation and infringement of Xerox patents. Conducted non-infringement and/or invalidity investigations of patents counter-asserted against Xerox in such negotiations. Supported the patent litigation group. Drafted and negotiated IP related development, services and confidentiality agreements. Drafted and prosecuted patent applications.

North Canton, Ohio

Proactively conducted patent clearance studies for new products by working closely with R&D engineers to monitor product development and identify potentially unique product designs for patentability and clearance review. Performed patent and trademark clearance, novelty and validity searches and drafted patent and trademark clearance, novelty and validity opinions. Presented the opinions to management and counselled management on the level of risk and recommended courses of action. Drafted and prosecuted patent applications. Drafted and negotiated IP related development, services and confidentiality agreements. Provided litigation support that resulted in the royalty bearing licensing of every competing upright carpet extractor currently on the market. Managed the development, maintenance and enforcement of trademark rights.

Manchester, New Hampshire

Drafted and prosecuted patent and trademark applications. Responded to client inquiries on patent and trademark law.

Arlington, Virginia

Juris Doctor, Law

Teaching assistant for Patent Practice and Procedure. Director of the Academic Computer Center summer of 1992.

Bs, Mechanical Engineering

Activities and Societies: Syracuse Crew/Rowing Team, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity

Education record

Activities and Societies: FDR Crew / Rowing Team Captain, Soccer Team