VALIDITY - Key Persons
Dr. Forber has broad technical expertise with thirty-five years professional experience in high-technology research and development, industrial solutions development, product applications and interdisciplinary technical program leadership. Most recently, he has leveraged this experience to help in identifying, defending and monetizing high-technology intellectual property.
His technical experience spans broad areas of physics and engineering, especially in areas of laser and optical systems development with applications to products and technology solutions ranging from fiber and integrated-chip-based optical systems, to advanced spatial light modulator imaging systems, to high-power solid-state laser systems, to next-generation chip lithography light sources, to x-ray optical systems, to polymer photonic applications, to wideband and high dynamic range optical communications systems, and to a variety of optical and electro-optical sensing applications.
After receiving his BSc in Physics from UCLA, Dr. Forber earned his PhD in fundamental laser atomic physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His graduate work at MIT was sponsored by a Howard Hughes Doctoral Fellowship from the Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, CA, where he began his industrial R&D career and spent nearly two decades in leading edge technology development.
Leaving his Senior Staff position at HRL, Dr. Forber went on to lead a variety of small business technology development programs before founding RAFOR Technologies to concentrate on technical consulting utilizing his broad background and experience. In that capacity his expertise has been instrumental in evaluating and helping to monetize dozens of high-value patent portfolios in areas such as advanced LED lighting applications, laser medical applications, sensor systems and arrays, super-resolution imaging, x-ray diffraction imaging, oil & gas energy exploration and development, and solar electrical systems, for example.
In his spare time he enjoys biking, golfing, hiking San Diego trails and beaches, SD arts and entertainment, volunteering at local PGA golf events, managing investment portfolios, cooking, California wines and crafting homemade cappuccinos.
Job Titles:
- Director, Executive Operations / Accounting, Human Resources
Steve Wong - Chief Legal Officer
Steve has expertise in the area of patent licensing and negotiations; strategic development of patent portfolios for both defensive and offensive purposes; freedom to operate, infringement and validity opinions; due diligence on patent portfolio acquisition and litigation; and the preparation/prosecution of patent applications. Steve also has expertise in the handling IPRs, patent reexamination and reissues.
Prior to joining Validity, Steve was in private practice a top intellectual property law firm and also a VP of Licensing at Acacia Research Group, a leading patent licensing and assertion company. While at Acacia, he was successful in monetizing patent assets for numerous of its subsidiaries while achieving high net profitability.
Prior to joining Acacia, Steve managed the intellectual property department for Discovision Associates, a Pioneer Electronics subsidiary and an international consumer electronics company, where he was responsible for the preparation and prosecution patents, and the management of its portfolio of over one thousand U.S. and foreign patents covering various technologies used in consumer electronic products. In 2008, Steve was a recipient of the Pioneer President's Award for the successful licensing of patents in a key technology area.
Upon graduating from law school, Steve served as a Deputy District Attorney where he was the lead trial attorney in nearly a hundred jury trials.
Steve is admitted to practice in California, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Steve has a J.D. degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, a Bachelors degree in Engineering from the University of Arizona, and an Associates Degree in Health Information Management from Saddleback College.
Steve has also worked in the health care industry serving as a Compliance Officer. He holds credentials in Healthcare Compliance from HCCA and AAPC and as a Registered Health Information Administrator from AHIMA.