Stephen Mason protects and monetizes the innovation of world-beating companies that started in garages, spare bedrooms, and coffee shops. Stephen has more than 15 years of experience representing before the USPTO many of the market-leading technology companies in America.
As one of the few patent attorneys in Austin with full-time experience inside an early-stage technology startup, a significant portion of his practice is focused on early stage portfolio development (e.g., analyzing business plans and assisting in initial protection of critical assets), particularly using accelerated examination. His core skills include identifying the intellectual property that creates market value and using a deep knowledge of patent prosecution to secure assets.
As one of the few patent attorneys in Austin with full-time experience inside an early-stage technology startup, a significant portion of his practice is focused on early stage portfolio development (e.g., analyzing business plans and assisting in initial protection of critical assets), particularly using accelerated examination. His core skills include identifying the intellectual property that creates market value and using a deep knowledge of patent prosecution to secure assets.
Education & Credentials
Education
Baylor Law School
J.D., 2003- Order of Barristers
- Joseph Milton Nance Scholar
Texas A&M University
B.S., Electrical Engineering, 1999- National Merit Scholar
- Terry Foundation Scholar
- Engineering Scholars Program
- International Engineering Education in Paris in partnership with École Polytechnique
Bar Admission
Acknowledgements
- The Legal 500 United States
- Intellectual Property - Patents, Licensing, 2023-2024
- Texas Bar Foundation
- Fellow
- College of the State Bar of Texas
- Recipient of Appreciation Award for his dedication to the Intellectual Property Pro Bono Office Hours Program from Texas A&M University School of Innovation, May 2020
- Managing Intellectual Property
- IP Stars, 2024
Prominent Assignments
Seconded to a Fortune 500 software company for nine months as a virtual in-house portfolio manager for an Internet advertising portfolio.
From 2006-2007, served as in-house general counsel for an Internet advertising startup.
Provided external oversight of development of and developed patent assets on physical designs for a market-leading miniature camera portfolio.
Developed a suite of processor architecture and processor verification patents for the world’s largest patent portfolio.
Developed patent assets in power management for mobile devices and mobile device accessories.
Developed patent assets for a market-leading provider of virtualization and security solutions.
Developed image processing portfolio for the leading provider of image processing software.
Developed patent assets for the world’s leading online commerce portfolio.
Developed patent assets for the world’s leading cloud computing provider.
From 2006-2007, served as in-house general counsel for an Internet advertising startup.
Provided external oversight of development of and developed patent assets on physical designs for a market-leading miniature camera portfolio.
Developed a suite of processor architecture and processor verification patents for the world’s largest patent portfolio.
Developed patent assets in power management for mobile devices and mobile device accessories.
Developed patent assets for a market-leading provider of virtualization and security solutions.
Developed image processing portfolio for the leading provider of image processing software.
Developed patent assets for the world’s leading online commerce portfolio.
Developed patent assets for the world’s leading cloud computing provider.
Professional Involvement
- Texas Aggie Bar Association
- President, 2008-2009
- Austin Intellectual Property Law Association
- Baylor Law Alumni Association
Community Involvement
- Greater Texas Federal Credit Union
- Chairman of the Supervisory Committee 2016-present
- NAFCU Certified Volunteer Expert 2016-present
- Member of the Supervisory Committee 2014-present
- Capital City A&M Club
- President, 2006-2007
- Member of the Board of Directors from 2005-2008
- Capital City A&M Foundation
- President 2007-2008
- Secretary to the Board of Directors, 2011-2013
- Member of the Board of Directors, 2006-present
- Senior Aggie Leadership Council of Austin
- Member of the Board of Directors, 2007-2008
- Member of the Board of Directors, 2007-2008
Court Admissions
- Texas Supreme Court
- United States Patent and Trademark Office
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Publications/Presentations
- Presenter, "Valuation of Intellectual Property," UT Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management, April 2023
- Moderator, "Business/Executive Commercialization Plan," 2022 SBIR/STTR Workshop Series, Texas A&M University, April 2022
- Speaker, "Intellectual Property Essentials for Engineers: Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets," Legal, Regulatory and Ethical Issues for Texas Engineers, Half Moon Education Inc., April 2022
- Moderator, "Business/Executive Commercialization Plan," 2022 SBIR/STTR Workshop Series, Texas A&M University, April 2022
- Speaker, “Texas Engineering Law & Ethics,” Halfmoon Education Inc., February 2021
- Patent Prosecution Tips and Traps – The University of Texas School of Law Advanced Patent Law Institute, Austin, Texas. November, 2017
- Ten Lessons on Representing Startups – Perspectives on Practice Speaker Series of the Center for Law and Intellectual Property, Texas A&M University School of Law, Fort Worth, Texas. April, 2016
- Patent Practitioners- Global Insight into Early-Stage Technology and Future Engineering Skills, World Congress on Engineering Education 2014. July, 2015
- Ethically Representing the Small Company on a Budget – Association of Corporate Counsel, Austin, Texas. May, 2015