BIOGRAPHIES
PRIMARY PRACTICE AREAS
- Patents
- Trademarks
- Copyrights
- IP / Technology Contracts
EXAMPLE TECHNOLOGIES
- Telecommunications
- Computing Platforms & Networks
- Software
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- Amplifiers
- Semiconductor Packaging
- Systems & Power Management
- Media Codecs
- Operating Systems & Virtualization
- Encryption & Data Integrity
- Smart Lighting & Home Automation
- Optical Waveguides
- Medical Devices & Systems
- Industrial Machines
- Aerospace Technologies
CONTACT
Toll Free: 800-575-1278WILLIAM G. PAGÁN
Member
BIOGRAPHY
William G. Pagán is an award-winning patent attorney, a member of the NC State University Computer Science Alumni Hall of Fame, and an IBM Master Inventor named on over 130 U.S. patent applications. He graduated Summa Cum Laude (highest honors) and co-valedictorian from NCCU School of Law.Will's practice generally focuses on the intersection of law and computing technology with a significant focus on patents, trademarks, and copyrights. He also helps clients litigate patent, trademark, and copyright infringement claims, and assists them with their IP licensing and sales objectives. As a Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US), he also helps clients with their data privacy concerns, e.g., data breaches, confidentiality violations, and likeness theft.
Nationally-recognized as a Luminary in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) disciplines at the Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Conference, Will's law practice is informed by over 14 years of engineering experience at IBM. His storied engineering experience includes over a decade developing software for IBM's server development business where his work on Intel-based Thurley server platforms earned him IBM's Outstanding Technical Achievement Award. He also served in IBM’s IP Licensing and Assignments organization where he researched, investigated, and produced proofs of potential patent infringement.
EDUCATION
- North Carolina Central University School of Law, Durham, North Carolina
- Juris Doctor, Summa Cum Laude
- Evening Program Valedictorian
- Top Forty Under Forty Alumni Award
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
- Master of Computer Science
- Computer Science Alumni Hall of Fame
- Pace University, New York, New York
- B.S., Computer Science
- Bronx High School of Science, Bronx, New York
- Advanced Regents Diploma, Biology Concentration
SELECTED HONORS
- LEGAL
- The Best Lawyers in America: Intellectual Property Litigation, Best Lawyers, 2024
- NC Rising Star: Intellectual Property, Super Lawyers, 2019-2024
- Major General Dwight H Wheless Legal Officer of the Year, Civil Air Patrol: United States Air Force Auxiliary
- North Carolina Wing, 2019, 2020
- Mid-Atlantic Region (incl. DE, MD, DC, NC, SC, VA, WV), 2019
- NC Pro Bono Honor Society, North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center, 2017-2020
- Outstanding Pro Bono Achievement, North Carolina Bar Association IP Law Section, 2019
- Leaders in the Law, North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, 2016, 2018
- 37 Invention Plateau Awards, IBM, 2005-2012
- Master Inventor, IBM Corporate Headquarters / Office of the CIO, 2011
- Research Triangle Park Inventor of the Year, IBM, 2010
- Outstanding Technical Achievement: Intel Thurley Server Platform Integration, IBM, 2007
- Master Inventor, IBM Systems & Technology Group, 2006
- Role Model of the Week, Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Conference, 2008
- Luminary Award, Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Conference, 2007
- Star Award, Distributed Management Task Force, 2007
- Wing Commander’s Commendation, Civil Air Patrol: United States Air Force Auxiliary, 2016, 2017, 2021
- Crisis Service Award, Civil Air Patrol: United States Air Force Auxiliary, 2020
- Meritorious Service Award, Civil Air Patrol: United States Air Force Auxiliary, 2019
- Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, United States Air Force, 2018
SELECTED PAST POSITIONS / ROLES
- IBM
- Patent Engineer/Analyst, IP Licensing & Assignments, Corporate Headquarters, 2011-2013
- Master Inventor, Corporate Headquarters / Office of the CIO, 2011-2013
- Master Inventor, Systems & Technology Group, 2006-2013
- Software Engineer, System x Server Development, Systems & Technology Group, 1999-2011
- Distributed Management Task Force
- Chairman & IBM Representative, SMASH / Systems Management Forum, 2005-2007
PRO BONO & VOLUNTEER ROLES
-
Hispanic National Bar Association
- Region VI Deputy Regional President, 2022-Present
-
North Carolina Central University School of Law, Board of Visitors
- Chair, 2023-Present
- Vice Chair, 2022-2023
- Member at Large, 2020-2022
-
Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary
- NCWG Diversity Officer, 2019-2022
- NCWG Legal Officer, 2017-2021
- NCWG Assistant Legal Officer, 2015-2017, 2021-2022
-
Innocence Project
- Case Manager, 2011-2012
- Researcher, 2010-2011
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
- Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), Deputy Regional President, Region VI
- International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US)
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Life Member
- North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals (NCSHP), Life Member
- Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois, Member
SELECTED MEDIA/SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Panelist, The Impact of Data Privacy & Security on Society and the Practice of Law, Annual HBCU IP & Tech Law Summit, Institute for Intellectual Property & Social Justice, February 2024
- Special Guest, Ty Cohen & Caroline Treanor (Hosts), The Money Morning Meetup, Oct. 25, 2023
- Special Guest, Thomas Clifton (Host), The Talented Tenth Podcast, Oct. 3, 2023
- Panelist, The Patent Implications of Generative AI, 2023 Law and Technology Summit, NCCU Technology & Policy Law Center, October 2023
- Guest Lecturer, Inventions and Innovations Class, Henrico County Public Schools, VA, January 2022
- Guest Lecturer, Subject Matter Eligibility (Abstract Ideas), Patent Law Course, University of North Carolina School of Law, Fall 2020
- Keynote Speaker, NC State Computer Science Diploma Ceremony, Fall 2018
- Lecturer, Intellectual Property: Securing a Competitive Advantage in the Marketplace, North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals, 2017
- Special Guest, Cup of Technology, WCOM-LP 103.5 FM, 2017
- CLE Teacher, Patent Subject Matter Eligibility: Arguing Against Abstract Idea Rejections, The Knowledge Group, 2016
- Panelist, IP Law Panel Discussion, NCCU School of Law, 2015
- Featured Alum, Taking Flight: Meet William Pagán, NCCU, 2014
- Speaker, Valedictory Address, NCCU School of Law Commencement Ceremony, Spring 2014
- Featured Lecturer, Effective Leadership of Invention Brainstorming, IBM, 2011 to 2013
- Featured Lecturer, Being a Successful Inventor: Practical Advice for All Levels of Inventors, IBM, 2007 to 2013
- Featured Lecturer, Efficiently Writing Effective Patent Disclosures, IBM, 2007 to 2013
- Lecturer, Getting Agile in the Real World: Best Practice Adoption in Complex Environments, IBM Webcast, 2010
- Lecturer, Key Leadership and Advancement Behaviors, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Region VII Conference, 2009
- Lecturer, Best Practices in Standards Participation, IBM, 2008
- Host, Leadership in the Management and Technical Executive Tracks, Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Conference, 2007
- Booth Presenter, IBM Systems Management Technologies and Importance of Interoperability Standards, Microsoft Management Summit, 2006
- Presenter, SMASH Forum Overview and SMASH CLP Validation, DMTF Management Developers Conference, 2006
- Presenter, Eliminating Systems Management Device Drivers via Enhanced Serial Port Architecture, IBM Tech Connect, 2004
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of North Carolina
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
BLOG POSTS
Fed. Cir. Rules Motivation to Combine Standard Requires No Actual “Motivation”
On 13 March 2023, the Federal Circuit issued a precedential decision in Intel Corp. v. PACT XPP Schweiz AG, No. 22-1037 (Fed. Cir. 2023). The
Verdict Reached in Depp v. Heard Defamation Trial
Jurors have reached a much-anticipated verdict in the Depp v. Heard defamation trial. In case you haven’t already heard, Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard for
Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” Doesn’t Infringe on Unoriginal Aspects of Christian Rap “Joyful Noise”
In a previous post, we emphasized that copyright protections do not extend to elements of a work that are unoriginal. A recent precedential decision from the Ninth
Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” Probably Not Copied From Artikal Sound System
Dua Lipa has been sued for copyright infringement by Artikal Sound System (who goes by “ASS” for short). As part of their complaint, ASS alleges
Member William G. Pagán Supports Henrico County Public Schools
In January 2022, Attorney William G. Pagán was a guest lecturer for three sections of an “Inventions and Innovations” class at Elko Middle School in Henrico County, Virginia. The class, taught
Should I Pursue Reissue of my Patent?
Applicants who have obtained a patent may be dissatisfied with the scope of protection they have obtained. In some cases, an applicant may discover that