Sung Pil Kim

Principal / Washington, D.C. Metro Office

Sung Pil’s practice involves preparing and prosecuting patent applications in the electrical, computer and internet, electromechanical and mechanical arts. As a Senior Advisor to the Korean-American Intellectual Property Bar Association, Sung Pil is bi-lingual in both English and Korean, and is able to understand and read technical articles in Japanese.

Working mostly with Korean and Japanese businesses of all sizes, Sung Pil truly understands how the often very specific in-house intellectual property management environments in the Asia-Pacific regions operate. Because he worked in a Korean electronics company himself, Sung Pil knows first-hand what it takes to successfully manage and plan for valuable IP assets, as well as understands the role internal politics can play in how decisions are ultimately achieved. Sung Pil has been involved in a variety of technologies, including semiconductors (processing, circuit design, packaging, testing and assembly), display devices, microelectronics, telecommunications, consumer electronics and robotics.

In the News

Presentations

As the former President of the Korean-American Intellectual Property Bar Association (KAIPBA), as well as a frequent lecturer in Korea, Sung Pil has hosted presentations and lectured on numerous patent related topics such as patent prosecution, corporate IP strategies and management, patent disputes and patent valuations. Notable presentations include:

“IP Roadshow,” Host and Group Leader of an international attorney trip to South Korea; presenter on topic of “Enhanced Damages;” October, 2016

“Introduction to ITC,” Host, KAIPBA Spring IP Seminar, April 2016

“State of the Board: Ex Parte Appeals and AIA Trails,” Host, KAIPBA Summer IP Seminar featuring guest speakers including USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Judges, July 2015

“Highlights of 2015 USPTO Patent Quality Summit” and “Post Alice Patent Practices,” Host, KAIPBA Spring IP Seminar featuring KAIPBA Leadership members, May 2015

“Recent S. Ct. and CFC decisions on indefiniteness focusing on Nautilus v. Biosig,” Guest Lecturer, KAIPBA Korea Roadshow Trip, South Korea, September 2014

EVENTS

“Fireside Chat with Michelle Lee,” Co-sponsor, Off the Record luncheon program, June 2015

Korean-American Attorneys’ Gala, Co-host with the Korean American Bar Association (KABA-DC), April 2015

 

Before joining Harness IP, Sung Pil worked for Samsung Electronics as a Senior Manager of IP. During his nearly two decades of service, Sung Pil experienced virtually all aspects of corporate IP activities including patent prosecution, patent procurement, portfolio management, infringement and validity analysis, licensing and corporate IP strategy development. Sung Pil also represented the Korean Semiconductor Industry before the IP Task Force of the World Semiconductor Counsel, as well as previously served as Chair for the IP Task Force. In addition, he worked as an IP Valuation Consultant for the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, and as an Industry Advisor for the Korea Technology Transfer Center.

Awards & Distinctions

  • Distinguished Service Award, Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, 2007

Memberships

  • American Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Korean-American Intellectual Property Bar Association, Senior Advisor; President, 2015 – 2016

Education

J.D., University of New Hampshire School of Law (Formerly, Franklin Pierce Law Center), 2011

Master of Intellectual Property, Franklin Pierce Law Center, 1998

M.S., Electronic Engineering, Hanyang University, 1990

B.S., Electronic Engineering, Hanyang University, 1988

Bar & Court Admissions

Virginia

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office