Koos Rasser
International Patent Council
General
Jacobus Rasser (nickname: Koos) grew up in The Netherlands. After obtaining a PhD in Chemical Engineering of Delft Technical University in 1977 (thesis topic platinum/iridium catalysts) he joined Procter & Gamble's European Technical Center in Brussels, Belgium. In 1980 he transferred to P&G headquarters in Cincinnati Ohio, for the purpose of becoming a US licensed patent attorney. He returned to P&G's European Headquarters in Brussels in 1984, where he headed up the European Patent Department from 1986-1990.
Koos returned to Cincinnati in 1990; in 1992 he became VP and Associate General Counsel – Patents for Procter & Gamble Worldwide. In this capacity he supervised more than 90 in-house patent attorneys around the globe.
In 2000 he joined the Washington-based law firm Howrey Simon Arnold & White (now: Howrey LLP) for the purpose of spearheading Howrey's foray into Europe. In 2001 Koos transferred to London to start Howrey's first non-US office. He served as the Managing Partner of Howrey's London Office from 2001 – 2004. In 2004 he transferred to Howrey's Amsterdam office to head up Howrey's European Patent Procurement practice.
Koos left Howrey in November, 2008 to start a solo practice in patent law.
The main focal points of his legal practice are patent procurement (both USPTO and EPO), licensing, portfolio counseling and management, patent validity and infringement opinions, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and litigation support. His technology areas include chemistry, chemical engineering, catalysis, biotechnology and medical devices.
Licensing Experience
When Koos joined P&G the licensing policy was that no P&G technology would ever be licensed, except in rare circumstances when a cross-license was considered necessary in order to obtain access to essential third-party technology, or to settle infringement litigation.
During his tenure as VP and Associate General Counsel – Patents Koos helped shape a dramatic change in this policy, where licensing became the norm and business managers had to present a business case for not licensing technology that was more than 5 years old or incorporated in a product that had been on the market for three years or more. In addition, in-licensing became an important pillar of all product innovation initiatives.
At Howrey Koos made licensing an important part of his legal practice. While at Howrey he acted as interim IP Director at Organon, a Schering-Plough company (now Merck). In this capacity he conducted and supervised in-licensing and partnering due diligence, and advised on license agreements and partnering joint ventures.
Technical Background
Although a Chemical Engineer by training, Koos has been involved in technologies ranging from monoclonal antibodies to light emitting diodes, and from baby diapers to stents. One of his main skills is his ability to quickly grasp the essential aspects of a new technology.
Counseling to start-up businesses
Currently Koos is advising several start-up businesses in the field of renewable energy. The scope of his involvement spans the entire spectrum of IP, including invention mining; patent application drafting; international filing strategies; licensing; non-disclosure agreements; joint development agreements; freedom-to-operate opinions; etc. Since these companies do not have the luxury of in-house general counsel, the work also tends to include issue spotting in fields other than IP law.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
While at Procter & Gamble Koos spearheaded the founding of the National Patent Board, which provided arbitration rules, neutrals and services for patent disputes. The National Patent Board merged with AAA in 2001. Koos is currently involved in an effort by WIPO for providing an arbitration forum for international patent disputes.
Koos is a certified mediator and serves as a mediator in legal disputes involving technology issues.
Education
M.Sc. Chemical Engineering, Delft Technical University, 1973
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Delft Technical University, 1977.
J.D. Salmon P. Chase College of Law (Northern Kentucky University), 1984
Bar Admissions
USPTO, 1982
Supreme Court of Ohio, 1984
Solicitor England & Wales, 2002[1]
Personal
Koos and his wife of 35 years Marleen have two grown sons, both married and both living in the USA. One son lives in Alexandria, VA, and one in Redondo Beach, CA.
Koos and Marleen became US citizens in 2000. They are spending most of their time in their home in Redondo Beach, California, traveling to Amsterdam on a regular basis.
[1] As a solicitor Koos is authorized to practice before the European Patent Office (EPO). His EPO practice runs the spectrum from filing and prosecuting new patent applications to conducting and defending oppositions and appeals.
Contact Information:
E-mail BIOeCON: koos.rasser@bio-e-con.com
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