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Key practice areas: 

• Intellectual Property Procurement, Licensing, Enforcement and Litigation 

• In-Bound and Out-Bound Licensing, Open-Source, and Talent 

• Intellectual Property Clearance and Freedom-to-Operate 

• Interactive Entertainment 

 

James Barker is a "Swiss Army-Knife" technology attorney with a decade of experience navigating the intersection of innovation, IP, and global regulatory compliance. Having served in high-stakes roles at Sony Interactive Entertainment and Bungie, James brings a sophisticated "inside-out" perspective to legal challenges and to the commercialization and defense of complex digital ecosystems.  

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James is uniquely positioned to assist clients in the following areas: 

• Generative AI & Emerging Tech Governance: Drawing on his experience as a member of machine learning leadership teams, James bridges the gap between technical, reputational and legal risk, helping companies establish robust policies that satisfy evolving standards and expectations. 

• High-Stakes IP Litigation & Strategy: A veteran of the "product security" front lines, James authored litigation strategies that secured over $60M in judgments and has successfully defended multiple NPE patent infringement cases. He offers expert counsel on patent and trademark procurement, enforcement, and litigation defense in the tech and gaming sectors. 

• Live Services & Regulatory Compliance: With deep expertise in global live services, James helps clients navigate the "Trust & Safety" landscape, including data privacy (CIPP/US certified), anti-cheat/product security, and compliance with international consumer protection regulations. 

• Technology & Content Licensing: James manages the full lifecycle of complex transactions, from acquisition to subsidiary integration, IP licensing, and even talent agreements, ensuring that assets are both protected and profitably leveraged. 

 

James began his legal career at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, preparing and prosecuting hundreds of patent cases, and advising on patent strategy and freedom-to-operate in diverse fields ranging from medical devices to augmented reality (AR/VR) to satellite technology. Prior to law, James was an engineer specializing in renewable energy and energy systems. 

 

Education & Admissions 

• J.D., University of Washington School of Law 

• M.S. & B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington / Johns Hopkins University 

• Washington State Bar; USPTO Registered Patent Attorney 

• CIPP/US (Certified Information Privacy Professional) 

 

James is licensed to practice in Washington State and in front of the USPTO, and he is based in Seattle.  

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