Shaobin Zhu

Partner
Shaobin Zhu is a helmsman. He is knowledgeable, patient, energetic and never vague about principled issues. His wisdom and strategy are inseparable from his experience. Zhu can always design the most perfect plan at the critical moment.
— The Legal 500 Asia Pacific - China (2024)
Seattle
About

Shaobin Zhu represents clients in the technology industry, advising them on intellectual property (IP) (patent, trade secret, trademark, copyright, domain name) litigation in US district courts and Section 337 investigations at the US International Trade Commission (ITC). His experience encompasses all aspects of IP litigation, including formulating litigation strategies, coordinating US and China teams to execute the strategies, and conducting patent validity and infringement analysis, technical discovery and production, depositions, expert reports and depositions, Markman hearings, briefing, motion hearings, trials, and settlement negotiations.

He guides clients through all stages of patent protection and invalidation in the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including patenting strategies, patent application preparation, responses to office actions, and administrative post-grant proceedings challenging the validity of disputed patents at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Shaobin also counsels clients on opinion work, open-source software strategy, and international arbitration. He advises clients on IP licensing and transfer, including negotiating terms and conditions, conducting IP due diligence, and drafting and revising IP licensing/transfer agreements.

Shaobin handles matters relating to a variety of technologies, including computer software, telecommunications, smartphones, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), semiconductors, video processing, internet television, LEDs, wearable devices, robotics, 3D printing, consumer electronics, and related electronics.

Areas of FocusIntellectual PropertyTechnologyPatent LitigationPatent Development and Strategy
Bar admissionsCaliforniaNew YorkWashingtonUnited States Patent and Trademark Office
CourtsUnited States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for Veterans ClaimsUnited States District Court for the Central District of CaliforniaUnited States District Court for the Northern District of CaliforniaUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of TexasUnited States District Court for the Northern District of New York

EXPERIENCE

  • A global renewable energy company in a significant victory in a Section 337 investigation before the ITC asserting infringement of six patents covering complex solar power and conductive cell technology. This total win helped the company avoid a ban on the importation of a large portion of the industry's solar products designed for clean energy. Shaobin also contributed to the dismissal of a parallel complaint against the company in the US District Court for the Northern District of California
  • A Chinese electrical products manufacturer in securing a complete victory in a patent infringement case in the US District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, in which the action was dismissed with prejudice. Shaobin also contributed to obtaining a complete victory for the company in an inter partes review (IPR) petition before the PTAB of the USPTO, finding that all the claims challenged by the company were unpatentable over two different combinations of references
  • A global mobile data service provider in defeating trade secret misappropriation allegations in a patent case brought by competitors. In addition, Shaobin built strong noninfringement positions and preserved claim construction issues for the company to reverse the district court's summary judgment and win the appeal of infringement and claim construction issues at the Federal Circuit
  • An owner of a domain in a successful defense in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, challenging the ownership of the domain under the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act and Virginia common law, and tortious interference with a contractual relationship, as well as in personam claims under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and Virginia common law against John Doe
  • Several Chinese companies in successfully protecting their innovations and brands by enforcing their patents, trademarks, and copyrighted 3D designs against infringers in many US district courts, including in the Northern District of New York and the Central District of California
  • Several Chinese companies in litigating and negotiating IP and technology licensing, involving standard-essential patents, electronic design automation (EDA) software, and open-source software, achieving favorable results for these companies
  • A Chinese state-owned company in a successful defense against alleged patent infringement, copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and unfair competition related to auto coolant supplying systems in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, including filing IPRs at the PTAB of the USPTO and securing a stay of the litigation only three months before trial, ultimately achieving a successful resolution to the case
  • Dozens of Chinese companies in defending against alleged IP infringement (including patent infringement, copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and/or trade secret misappropriation) at the ITC and many US district courts, including in the District of Delaware, Western and Eastern districts of Texas, and the Northern and Central districts of California. Successfully helped Chinese companies to minimize their exposure and reach favorable settlements by implementing counter actions in the PTAB, US courts, and China, and performing strategic settlement negotiations
  • Chinese clients in defending against counterfeit allegations at the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including obtaining IP licenses and releases from IP owners, successfully arguing for trademarks fair use defenses at the CBP's Intellectual Property Rights Branch (IPRB), filing petitions for relief, and convincing the CBP to release detained or seized goods
  • A Chinese electronic materials company in negotiating and acquiring US$10 million worth of global patent families from a subsidiary of an American multinational chemical company by conducting IP due diligence and reviewing and revising the asset purchase agreement and associated papers

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Chambers Global

  • Spotlight Table Expert Based Abroad, China Intellectual Property (International Firms), (2026)
  • Band 4, China Intellectual Property (International Firms), (2025)

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: China

  • Recommended, Intellectual Property: Foreign Firms, (2024)
  • Recommended, TMT: Foreign Firms, (2024)
Additional Recognitions
  • Silver, Patent Litigation for Washington State, IAM Patent 1000, (2025)
  • Named, Patent Star 2025 for United States (National) and Washington, IP Stars, (2025)
  • Recognized, Elite Patent Practitioner, IAM Global Leaders, (2023 – 2025)
  • Recognized, Notable Practitioner – California/China, Managing Intellectual Property, (2023 – 2024)
  • Recognized, IAM Patent 1000: The World's Leading Patent Professionals, (2019 – 2024)
  • The A-List China's Elite 100 Lawyers (Foreign Firms), China Business Law Journal, (2019 – 2022)
Education
  • J.D., University of Washington School of Law
  • M.S., Computer Science, Iowa State University
  • LL.M., Administrative Law, Renmin University of China Law School

Publications

  • Co-author, "Things About Intellectual Property Litigation in the United States: Is Service of Summons You Received from the U.S. Court Effective?" IP ForeFront, July 16, 2023
  • Co-author, "Road To The Future: SEP Licensing And Litigation In The Automotive Field," The Patent Lawyer, July/August 2022

Seminars

  • "IP Protection & Risk Management – From Litigation Mechanisms to Corporate Decision-Making," Suzhou IP Protection Center, April 3, 2026
  • "New Energy – IP Forum," InfoTrans/IPLink – 5th IP Industry Forum, April 1, 2026
  • "IP Protection & Risk Management – From Litigation Mechanisms to Corporate Decision-Making," Workshop for Experienced IP Professionals, GDOIP, March 28, 2026
  • "Patent, Trade Secret & Product Safety – US Legal Risk Management & Attack-Defense Strategies," BOVA Group (Wuxi), March 26, 2026
  • "E-Commerce Patent Risk Management & Litigation Strategies," Jiayu Investment, March 20, 2026
  • "IP Due Diligence Including AI," China's Life Sciences Boom: Navigating Risk for Growth Webinar, DLA Piper, March 10-11, 2026
  • "An American IP Lawyer's Observations on Chinese Law – Comparative Insights and Practical Observations," University of Washington School of Law, February 27, 2026
  • "From Defense to Offense: An IP Risk Management & Litigation Playbook for China SOEs Going Global," CBEAD (China SOE executives), December 14, 2025
  • "Emerging Trends in Overseas IP Protection and Litigation for Power Battery Companies," 2025 New Energy & Intelligent Connected Vehicles IP Innovation Summit, Zensee Consulting (Shanghai), December 2, 2025
  • "My Legal Journey and Insights for 1st Generation Immigrant Attorneys," DLA Piper Seattle Office, Co-hosted by SCBA, October 8, 2025
  • Speaker and Guide, "US Patent Litigation – Mock Trial," China IP Protection Association/IPR Daily, September 13, 2025
  • Panel Moderator, "US Patent Litigation," 14th China IP Summit, CIPAC, September 11, 2025
  • "Hefei Companies Going Global: From Defense to Offense – IP Risk Management and Litigation Strategies," Hefei IP Protection Center, August 27, 2025
  • "Wuxi Companies Going Global: From Defense to Offense – IP Risk Management and Litigation Strategies," Suzhou/Wuxi IP Protection Center, August 26, 2025
  • "Recent IP Cases in the US – 2025," WIPO-China (RUC) Summer School 2025, July 11, 2025
  • "Innovation Protection & Patent Litigation in the Digital Economy: Challenges of Enforcing Software and AI-Related Patents Across Jurisdictions," WIPO-China (NJUST) Summer School 2025, July 1, 2025
  • Panel Host, "Litigation in a Transforming Era: Strategic Insights, Global Challenges, and the Impact of Emerging Technologies," SCBA Legal Excellence Summit, June 13, 2025
  • "US Patent Drafting & Prosecution Strategies," CNIPA Training Center, June 8, 2025
  • "Recent Developments & Trends in Chinese IP Practice, in Both the US and China," Asia IP Summit 2025 (Tokyo and Seoul), March 2025
  • "Navigating ITC-337 Investigations: Impact on Chinese Companies and Strategic Responses," InfoTrans/IPLink, February 27, 2025
  • "How to Navigate the International IP World More Effectively," CES, Zhongguancun High-Tech Park, January 8, 2025
  • "IP Litigation Risks and Response Strategies for Chinese Companies Doing Business in the US," Shenzhen Trade Association, January 2, 2025
  • "Strategies for Enforcing IP Rights on Semiconductors/EE in the US and China," Future of US-Asia/World Economic Relationships after 2024 Elections Seminar, Keio University (Japan), December 11, 2024
  • "Brief Discussion on USPTO – 2024 Guidance Update on Patent Subject Matter Eligibility, Including on Artificial Intelligence," Infotrans – IP Link, August 2024
  • "US Patent Prosecution & Drafting: A Practical Guide," Guangdong Overseas Intellectual Property Protection Promotion Association, July 2024
  • "Emerging Patent Infringement Risks with AI & Risks Management Strategies," Jiangsu Intellectual Property Research Institute, July 2024
  • "Trade Secrets vs. Patent Protection: Challenges and Strategies," Renmin University Intellectual Property School, July 2024
  • "The Quality and Ability Required for Transnational Intellectual Property Talents," Jiangsu Intellectual Property Think Tank Alliance, July 2024
  • "IP Risk Management & Response Strategies," Hefei Federation of Industry and Commerce, June 2024
  • "IP Risks & Management Strategies Faced by Chinese Enterprises Going Overseas in the Digital Economy Era," China (Shenzhen) Intellectual Property Protection Center, May 2024
  • "How to Build and Protect Strong Brand Image in Overseas Market?" Shenzhen Foreign Businessmen Investment Enterprise Association, April 2024
  • "How Could Enterprises Handle Challenges & Opportunities to Pursue Sustainable Development Goals," Shenzhen Foreign Businessmen Investment Enterprise Association, March 2024
  • "Strategies for Minimizing IP Risks and Procedures for IP Litigation in US District Courts and Section 337 Investigation at the USITC," Market Supervision Administration of Zhuhai High-tech Zone, Intellectual Property Bureau, June 2023

Media Mentions

  • "Shaobin Zhu, who guides Chinese clients through all stages of patent prosecution and invalidation in the USPTO, helps resolve their IP disputes overseas and provides prescient licensing counsel," IAM Patent 1000

Prior Experience

Before joining DLA Piper, Shaobin was a partner in the IP litigation practice of two other global law firms. Early in his law career, he was a judicial extern to Judge John C. Coughenour of the US District Court for the Western District of Washington, where he recommended disposition, drafted legal memos, and proposed orders on a complex computer software patent case.

Shaobin also previously worked as a software engineer where he developed client/server, multitier, internet, and database-related software applications. From 1994 to 1996, he served as a legal official at the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the China State Council, and he helped harmonize the laws of Hong Kong and Macao with Chinese Basic Laws.

Teaching and Speaking Engagements

Shaobin is a frequent speaker at industry events and teaches in China on topics related to US IP litigation and prosecution strategies. He has taught a graduate course on US IP law at Renmin University of China Law School and Business School and serves as a program professor at the University of Science and Technology of China School of Public Affairs, a guest professor at China Business Executives Academy, Dalian, and a guest professor at Jiangsu Intellectual Property Research Institute.

Regions
  • Asia Pacific
  • Greater China
  • North America

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Arbitrator, Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, (2025 – 2030)
  • Member, China Association of Invention
  • Board Member, Shenzhen AI Industry Association
  • Board Member, Shenzhen Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment
  • Member, Legal Expert Database, Guangdong, Shanghai, Hebei, and Ningbo Intellectual Property Protection Associations
  • Advisor, China Patent Office's National Advisory Center for Overseas Intellectual Property Dispute Resolution
  • Member, International Law Expert Database, Hebei Province Council for the Promotion of International Trade
  • Member, Expert Database, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Intellectual Property Talent Port
  • International IP Expert, Zhuhai High-Tech Zone Intellectual Property Expert Think Tank
  • Arbitrator, Nanjing Arbitration Commission
  • Member, IP Expert Database, Changzhou University
  • Member, American Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Board Member, Seattle Chinese Bar Association
  • Member, California State Bar Association
  • Member, New York State Bar Association
  • Member, Washington State Bar Association

My latest insights

Past event

China’s life sciences boom: Navigating risk for growth

11 March 2026

Past event

China’s life sciences boom: Navigating risk for growth

10 March 2026

Past event

Asia Intellectual Property Symposium 2026

24 February 2026 .2 minute read

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Phone

+1 206 839 4894
(Work, Seattle)