Rufus Pichler is a partner in the New York office of Morrison & Foerster LLP and a member of the firm's Technology Transactions Group. His practice focuses primarily on commercial transactions involving technology and intellectual property. Among other things, Mr. Pichler advises companies in the wireless, computer and IT, semiconductor, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries with respect to in- and out-licenses, cross-licensing arrangements, development, collaboration, manufacturing, supply and distribution agreements, and other transactions. In particular, Mr. Pichler has advised clients extensively in connection with complex patent licensing transactions, including patent exhaustion issues, patent sales and acquisitions, and intellectual property aspects of M&A transactions, both in the U.S. and other jurisdictions.
Mr. Pichler has specific expertise in international intellectual property and commercial law including European Union and German law, and has advised clients from the United States and abroad in a variety of international transactions. He is admitted to practice in New York, California, and Germany and has advised clients from the United States and abroad in a variety of international transactions and with respect to global intellectual property protection strategies. Mr. Pichler holds advanced degrees in law in the U.S. and Germany.
Mr. Pichler served as adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, where he taught International Intellectual Property Law, and has published several books and articles in the field of intellectual property and technology law. In 2005/2006, Mr. Pichler served as the Global Engelberg Fellow from Practice at the Engelberg Center for Innovation Law and Policy at New York University's School of Law where he conducted research on issues surrounding the patent exhaustion and implied license doctrines.
Mr. Pichler is listed in Chambers USA 2013 as an “Up & Coming” attorney in New York Technology & Outsourcing. Chambers states that Mr. Pichler is “recognized for his prowess in matters concerning patent portfolios, software and licensing” and that sources say he “knows his stuff really well” and “in terms of being able to solve problems, he is very practical and quick, and understands all arguments.” He is also recommended by Legal 500 US 2013 for his patent licensing and transactional work.
Mr. Pichler received his law degree (J.D.) from the University of Freiburg, Germany, in 1995. He also holds a J.S.M. (Master of the Science of Law) degree from Stanford Law School and a Ph.D. (Dr. iur.) from the University of Münster, Germany. He joined Morrison & Foerster's San Francisco office in 2000, and transferred to the firm's New York office in 2006.
Mr. Pichler's clients include, among others, Altera, Astellas, Atmel, Autodesk, Dow Jones & Company, DSP Group, Elpida, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Intel, Mediatek, Mitsubishi Electric, Moody’s, Murex, Otto Group, Panasonic, and Toshiba.