WASHINGTON– LAWFUEL – Legal Newswire –The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) has added significant depth to its intellectual property advocacy efforts with the recent hire of Chris Katopis. Well regarded within the intellectual property community, Katopis will work for the interests of CompTIA’s membership primarily on intellectual property rights, patent reform, and tech-neutrality in government procurement. Additionally, he will fill the role as CompTIA’s Director for the Latin American region, and will also lead CompTIA’s Initiative for Software Choice (www.softwarechoice.org). Katopis is the sixth lobbyist in CompTIA’s Washington office, which is located on Capitol Hill.
Mr. Katopis joins CompTIA after serving as a judicial clerk with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, where a predominance of his work centered on patent cases. Before his federal clerkship, Katopis was Director of Congressional Relations at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, acting as chief liaison between the PTO and Members of Congress. Prior to that experience, Mr. Katopis was committee counsel for the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, where he focused on intellectual property matters and related legislation for the Committee.
Katopis received a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and a J.D. from Temple University, both in Philadelphia, PA.
“Chris’ specialized expertise and leadership within the IP community provides CompTIA with an invaluable resource, especially as the issue of intellectual property rights hits the mainstream,” noted Robert Kramer, Vice President of Public Policy for CompTIA. “CompTIA members small to large will benefit immensely from his knowledge of IPR and the Hill. We are privileged to have Chris become a key member of our growing team.”
Added Mr. Katopis, “IP drives the IT industry, and the IT industry drives our economy. CompTIA’s diverse membership has brought such tremendous benefits to Americans and the world, I consider it a distinct honor to work on their behalf, acting to shape IP policy and helping Congress know our members’ success story.”
About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the world’s $3 trillion information technology industry. CompTIA membership extends into more than 100 countries and includes companies at the forefront of innovation; the channel partners and solution providers they rely on to bring their products to market; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their technology investments. For more information, please visit www.comptia.org.
