Richard Sampson

Richard L. Sampson

phone: 617-589-3898
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education

J.D., Western New England University

Masters, Electrical/Computer Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University

PRACTICE & FOCUS AREA

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Rich helps his clients build, maintain and enforce patent, trademark and copyright portfolios in the U.S. and around the world through an extensive network of foreign associates. His patent work involves the full scope of representation from identification of patentable concepts to preparation and prosecution, through post-grant proceedings. His opinion work includes patentability, infringement and validity issues. Rich prepares and prosecutes patents ranging from industrial process control and medical diagnostic instrumentation to software, cybersecurity and financial services/business methods. Rich’s active trademark practice focuses on various branding issues, including clearance and infringement searches and opinions, filing strategies for state, federal and international trademark registrations, licensing, usage guidelines to prevent inadvertent loss of rights, and enforcement matters.

Rich has particular experience dealing with software patents in a post-Alice world. The Alice decision greatly narrowed financial services/business method patents, and Rich was among the first attorneys to appeal and obtain a reversal of a patent denial under Alice at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Before joining Davis Malm in 2014, Rich practiced in corporate and law firm settings, including 18 years as founder and principal of Boston IP boutique Sampson & Associates, P.C.

RESULTS

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  • Long term representation of multinational clients developing and managing international patent portfolios in the fields of industrial sensors and process automation.
  • Representation of a serial entrepreneur building patent portfolios for a series of venture-backed start-ups through successful exits in the field of computer security technology.
  • Represented a major university developing a patent portfolio in micro- and nano-scale technologies.
  • Represented an individual inventor in developing and patenting market-leading, electronic media technology and in the seven-figure sale of the patent.
  • Establishment and ongoing management of worldwide trademark portfolios in a variety of fields including industrial products and software.
  • Ongoing representation of a financial services company in developing and managing patent and trademark portfolios in the U.S. and internationally.
  • Represented an investment management firm in successfully appealing and obtaining a very rare reversal of a patent denial under the U.S. Supreme Court’s Alice Corp. decision, resulting in the issuance of a business method software patent for the client.

CREDENTIALS

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Distinctions:

  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2021-2023
  • Peer Review AV® Preeminent™ rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest bestowed rating

 Admitted:

  • Massachusetts
  • Connecticut
  • United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office

Member:

  • International Lawyers Network

MORE THAN A LAWYER

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Rich has been a Corporator and Trustee of Winchester Savings Bank since 2012. He served for two decades as Chair and Member of the zoning board of appeals for the Town of Winchester, MA. Rich is a boating enthusiast and can frequently be seen rowing in the early mornings on the Charles River or helping out as an assistant crew coach at Belmont Hill School. He has a long history competing at the Head of the Charles® Regatta and has volunteered with the race organization since 1999 in capacities ranging from race operations co-chair to a member of the Board of Directors and as a managing director.

News & Insights
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A pendulum swing too far?, authored article for Intellectual Property Magazine

Protect It, presenter at New England Business Association's "Life Cycle of Change at a Small Business" event

Understanding Your Rights When You Are “Hired to Invent”, authored article in Intellectual Property & Technology Law Journal

Awards
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