Standards and Open Source

Experience that Matters

Since 1988, Gesmer Updegrove has represented more than 200 standard setting consortia, open source development foundations, and accredited standards development organizations, including many of the most influential technology consortia and open source foundations in the world. In most cases, the firm assisted in the structuring and launching of the organization, and has represented it ever since.

Expert Guidance 

In the process, GU has acquired a great depth of knowledge in how to structure, operate, evolve and dissolve successful consortia in an effective fashion. Although typically we work with the founders of a consortium from the earliest stage, GU is also frequently engaged to succeed earlier counsel. We also advise major technology companies on implementing a standards strategy. Andrew Updegrove, who leads the consortium and standard-setting practice group, is nationally recognized for his leadership in the development of consortium and foundation governance structures, best practices, and intellectual property rights policies.

We've Got You Covered

Areas where special expertise is necessary in representing consortia include non-profit representation issues, trademark law (including with respect to certification testing), intellectual property ownership and transfer, domestic and international antitrust, and governance issues.

Check Our Credentials

Besides pure legal skills, GU brings a wide knowledge of practical, business and industry realities to its representation of consortium and foundation clients and provides business consulting as well as legal services in order to help our clients create and operate successful organizations. Consistent with our role as the most active law firm in the standards and consortium area, supports www.consortiuminfo.org, a site created by Andrew Updegrove to provide the most comprehensive source of information on the Internet regarding the most important topics affecting standard setting and promotional consortia, including:

• Forming and maintaining consortia
• Adopting and implementing intellectual property rights policies
• Maximizing the value of consortium participation
• Compliance with antitrust laws 

ConsortiumInfo.org serves a global audience of corporate, government and academic users.

For a more detailed overview of our practice, including a complete client list.