Ralph Hoppin

Of Counsel

Industry focus

I enjoy working with diverse clients to help describe their ‎ideas with clarity.

How I represent clients at Schwabe

I have over 25 years of experience working with ‎technology clients to prepare and prosecute U.S. and ‎international patent applications. With an advanced ‎technical education background, I’m able to confidently ‎advise on patents for a variety of technologies, including ‎computer hardware and software, computer networks, ‎cell phone networks, application performance ‎management, semiconductor fabrication and operation, ‎and consumer electronics.‎ I believe in working patiently to understand clients’ ‎inventions given the state-of-the-art to best guide the possible scope of patent protection.‎

Before joining Schwabe, I worked in Connecticut, New York, and ‎California at various patent boutique firms, as well as a general practice ‎firm. My technical expertise spans semiconductor memory hardware, ‎fabrication and operation, including 2D and 3D NAND memory, virtual ‎reality and 3D cameras, and wrist-worn exercise monitoring devices.‎

Prior to law school, I worked as a senior analytical engineer analyzing ‎aircraft engine performance data and developing control logic and ‎computer simulations. After law school, I followed my J.D. with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering.‎

Experience

  • Advised a semiconductor memory client in evaluating invention disclosures for patenting, advising on the potential scope of protection and preparing and prosecuting numerous patent applications.
  • Performed a comprehensive prior art search for a manufacturer of consumer electronics to knock out a competitor’s potential infringement claim.
  • Obtained patents for enhancing televised programming of popular sporting events.
  • Assisted clients in developing patentable ideas in invention harvesting sessions.

Education

  • University of Connecticut, Masters of Science degree, Electrical Engineering (1996)‎, School of Law, Juris Doctor degree, with honors (1994)
  • University of Southern California, Bachelor of Science degree, Aerospace Engineering, magna ‎cum laude (1985)

Admissions

  • California State Courts
  • Connecticut State Courts
  • New York State Courts
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Federal Circuit
  • U.S. District Court - District of Connecticut
  • U.S. District Court - Northern District of California
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Memberships

  • Connecticut Intellectual Property Law Association, Member (1996-2000)
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Member (2008-2017)

Additional Publications

“Inventorship in Patent Applications Must Be Carefully Considered,” E-commerce Law & Strategy Newsletter (December 2001)

Outside Interests

Exploring Alquezar, Spain

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