Eric Foster

Eric Foster is Intellectual Property Counsel for First Solar, a leading American solar technology company and global provider of responsibly produced solar modules. In his role, Mr. Foster manages an international portfolio of patents and patent applications, and collaborates with business and technology leadership to develop strategy related to intellectual property.

Mr. Foster earned his BS and MS in electrical engineering at the University of Cincinnati. He spent the first phase of his career as an engineer at GE Aviation, where he designed stealth technology and x-ray inspection systems. While working full time as an engineer, he attended law school at night and graduated towards the top of his class.

Mr. Foster began his legal career in private practice, and plied his skills in patent preparation and prosecution in a variety of technical areas including material, mechanical, software, and electrical engineering arts. He also advised clients on patentability, patent landscape, freedom to practice, non-infringement and validity issues. As in-house counsel, Mr. Foster continues to apply his technical background and 15 years of legal experience in all aspects of intellectual property procurement, opinion, and portfolio management.

Mr. Foster is admitted to practice law in Ohio, and is a Registered Patent Attorney licensed to practice before the United States Patent Office.