Drawing on 18 years of R&D experience in the technology industry and a background in computer science and engineering, Kannan Narayanan works with clients to build strong patent portfolios, preparing and prosecuting US and foreign patents, performing patent due diligence, and providing non-infringement and invalidity opinions and freedom to operate in a variety of technology areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing, data visualization, computer architecture, robotic process automation, genetic programming, cloud computing, social networking, wireless power transmission, fraud detection, semiconductor device manufacturing, computer networking, additive manufacturing, image processing, medical and healthcare related technologies, and consumer products.
Prior to beginning his legal career, Kannan worked as a senior staff engineer at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), a large semiconductor company that develops computer processors. While at AMD, Kannan researched and developed compilers and related technologies for heterogeneous compute architectures, including software for High Performance Computing (HPC) and machine learning/AI. Before that, Kannan worked as a senior software engineer at Azul Systems, a privately-held company that develops runtime platforms for Java. He also worked as a senior compiler engineer at Intel Compiler Labs, and as a software engineer at Cisco Systems. Kannan also worked at three other early-stage fabless semiconductor startups, including Pathscale that developed x86- and MIPS-based hardware.
Kannan received his J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law where he also earned a High Technology Law Certificate with honors. While in law school, Kannan served on the editorial board of the High Technology Law Journal, and co-organized a symposium on the impact of AI.
Kannan received his Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering (with honors) from the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU). He also has a Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh.
Kannan is fluent in Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu.
Member, Practice Group of the Year, Intellectual Property, Law360 (2019)
Member, Litigation Department of the Year–Intellectual Property, The American Lawyer (2019)