Ryan Ricks’ practice is concentrated in intellectual property law, including strategic intellectual property counseling, and patent and trademark prosecution, with emphasis on commercialization and licensing. With a background in industry, and University technology transfer experience, he has broad technical capability, including electrical circuits, networking and communications hardware and protocols, transverse flux electric motors, military technologies including heavy airdrop and recovery and battlefield communication equipment, real-time and embedded systems, artificial intelligence, open source software and licensing, global positioning, operating systems, semiconductor manufacturing, photovoltaics, fuel cells, batteries, combustion dynamics and software. Ryan has worked with numerous clients to develop and implement global IP protection and enforcement strategies.
A significant portion of Ryan's practice is devoted to securing and enforcing copyright and trademark rights, including proceedings before the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) proceedings, and licensing and settlement agreements.
Representative Matters
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IP Procurement and Enforcement
- Secured a global IP portfolio of over 20 issued patents and 40 pending patent applications directed to industry-leading transverse flux electric motors
- Secured extensive patent portfolio related to systems for military heavy airdrop and NASA parachute recovery
- Representation of Research 1 university with respect to patent matters
- Representation of Latino professional association in connection with procurement and maintenance of extensive trademark portfolio
IP Counseling
- Orchestrated defense and favorable settlement of international trademark dispute, clearing the way for significant expansion of client
- Managed global brand and product protection for IP-centric product development company
IP Transactions
- Represented company in connection with $125M cross-border sale of intellectual property assets
- Represented intellectual property interests of private medical device company in its $15M sale to private equity fund
- Represented patent holder in connection with negotiation of product development joint venture agreements exceeding $30M
Education
- Arizona State University, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (J.D., 2007)
- Law, Science & Technology Certificate; Center Scholar
- Pro Bono Distinction
- Arizona State University, W.P. Carey School of Business (M.B.A., 2007)
- Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
- Brigham Young University (B.S., Computer Engineering, 2003)
- National Merit Scholar
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of Arizona
- United States District Court, District of Arizona
- United States Patent and Trademark Office
Professional Memberships & Activities
- State Bar of Arizona
- American Bar Association
- Section of Intellectual Property Law
- University Intellectual Property Law Committee
- Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Committee
- American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
Representative Presentations & Publications
- Managing Your IP Portfolio Through Economic Challenges, Presenter, Snell & Wilmer (June 2010)
- How to Protect and Enforce Your Intellectual Property Rights in China, Snell & Wilmer, Global Connection (May 2008)
Professional Recognition & Awards
- Top 50 Pro Bono Attorneys in Arizona, Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education (2010)
Community Involvement
- Volunteer Lawyers Program
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
- St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank, Volunteer
- Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout
Other Professional Experience
- Arizona Technology Enterprises, Arizona State University, Technology Ventures Associate
- DDM Incorporated, Salt Lake City, Utah, CIO/S-Corporation founding shareholder
