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Ashley L. Kirk
Associate
Assistant
Debra Odum713.223.2300 x2862
Ms. Ashley Kirk is an intellectual property attorney whose practice includes patent and trademark prosecution, licensing and technology transfer, as well as intellectual property litigation. She has experience prosecuting patents in the electrical, optical, mechanical, and biomedical fields including systems and controls, communications technologies, electrical materials, LCD and plasma display technology, laser technology, medical devices, and software.
Client industries represented include: Fortune 100 companies, universities, governments, technology start-ups, venture capital, and angel investors.
As well, Ms. Kirk consults on issues such as venture and angel funding for technology start-up, development of intellectual property litigation and licensing strategies.
She has presented on topics such as technology initiatives and regional economic development issues.
Representative Matters
Obtained a favorable settlement matter for a major toy manufacturer in a case involving patented toy design and method of manufacturer.
Obtained a favorable settlement for software developer and several weekly newspapers in a case involving a patented dating software application.
Obtained a favorable, unanimous decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit holding that there is no legal cause of action for “trademark disparagement.”
Represented a major international software company in a multi-million dollar software licensing agreement.
Represents universities in technology transfer, licensing, and patent prosecution.
Publications and Speeches
"Penalty For Patent False Marking Set At Highest Sales Price," IP Frontline, May 18, 2010
"USPTO Initiatives," The University of Texas at Austin CLE, 2007
"IP & Licensing: Top 5 Mistakes Start-ups Make With Regard to IP," Invention to Venture, 2006
"Eliminate Intellectual Property Concerns When Partnering with a Pharmaceutical Company," Bio Southwest, 2006
"Planning to Execute: Perspectives on Intellectual Property for Startups," Panelist Idea Funding, 2005
"Obtaining IP on a Budget: How to Control Outside Counsel Costs," Association of Corporate Counsel, 2004
Education
J.D., University of Illinois College of Law, 2002
B.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering, Baylor University, 1999
Bar Admissions
Arizona
Texas
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Court Admissions
Supreme Court of the State of Arizona
The Supreme Court of Texas
U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 5th, 9th and Federal Circuits
U.S. District Court Arizona
U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
Affiliations
State Bar of Texas
State Bar of Arizona
Central Texas Angel Network, Austin
Screening Panel for the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, San Antonio
Board Member, San Antonio Technology Accelerator Initiative (SATAI)
San Antonio Manufacturers Alliance
Bexar County Women’s Bar Association
