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Mark Chandler

Retired | Executive Vice President

Chief Legal and Compliance Officer

Mark Chandler retired from his role as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Cisco in May 2021. Chandler joined Cisco in 1996, when Cisco acquired StrataCom, Inc., where he had been general counsel. Prior to StrataCom, he served for six years as vice president of corporate development and general counsel for Maxtor Corporation, a Fortune 500 hard disk drive manufacturer. Chandler is a member of the Dean's Advisory Council for Stanford Law School, member of the Governing Council of the American Bar Association Center for Innovation, Board of Directors of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, and the Board of Trustees for Belmont Hill School in Belmont, Mass. He previously served as a member of the Board of the Silicon Valley Law Foundation, member of the U.S. Department of Commerce Manufacturing Council, member and chairman of the City of Palo Alto Planning Commission, and member of the Palo Alto Utilities Advisory Commission. In spring 2016, he was a Lecturer in Law at Stanford Law School. In 2010, The National Law Journal named him one of the 40 Most Influential Lawyers of the Decade, and in 2013, American Lawyer numbered him among the Top 50 Big Law Innovators of the Last 50 Years. In 2018, he received the Burton Legends in Law Award. Chandler received a JD degree from Stanford Law School in 1981 and a BA degree in economics from Harvard College in 1978.

Articles

June 4, 2015

HIGH TECH POLICY

Statement by Mark Chandler on Senate Judiciary Committee Passage of Patent Reform

1 min read

The Senate Judiciary Committee today overwhelmingly approved patent litigation reform, clearing a hurdle which proved insurmountable in the last Congress. This is a major milestone that demonstrates strong bipartisan, bicameral support for meaningful patent reform. It clears the way for the Senate to act. The bill approved by Committee takes a major step toward restoring […]

April 29, 2015

HIGH TECH POLICY

Cisco Welcomes Introduction of Senate Patent Litigation Reform Bill

1 min read

The introduction of Protecting American Talent and Entrepreneurship (PATENT) Act of 2015 represents a major milestone on the long road to patent reform. On behalf of Cisco, let me thank Senators Grassley, Leahy, Cornyn, Schumer, Lee, Hatch and Klobuchar for their work to forge bipartisan support for this legislation. The problem of abusive patent litigation […]

March 25, 2015

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Governments Need Global Standards of Conduct for Surveillance

1 min read

Privacy and human rights advocates, technology companies, and trade associations have today called on U.S. political leaders to reform the country’s surveillance laws. We add our voice to those calls. These reforms will help show the world that the U.S. Government is ready to lead the dialogue on global standards of conduct, and wants to […]

February 10, 2015

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Protecting Innovation: Update on Status of Arista Litigation

2 min read

Today Arista moved to formally delay the target date for completion of the ITC case by six months. These cases involve the pervasive copying of Cisco's intellectual property and these cases should progress quickly and we will oppose any delay.

February 8, 2015

HIGH TECH POLICY

Statement of Mark Chandler on the IEEE Decision on Patent Clarifications

1 min read

“Today’s decision by the IEEE Board of Directors is a significant victory for consumers and for those who want a reasonable and stable patent system that supports innovation. In making this decision, the IEEE supported those companies who are willing to both grant and receive licenses for patents required for use in IEEE standards on reasonable terms.  […]

February 5, 2015

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Innovation Moves Quickly; Arista Should Not Delay ITC Case

1 min read

We previously committed to providing important updates on our legal action over Arista’s pervasive copying and misappropriation of Cisco intellectual property. Today, an International Trade Commission (ITC) Administrative Law Judge issued an order rejecting Arista’s request to consolidate Cisco’s two ITC complaints. Arista’s request had itself included an acknowledgement that consolidation could cause a six […]

January 21, 2015

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Protecting Innovation: International Trade Commission Commences Investigation

2 min read

A short while ago, the International Trade Commission (ITC) took an important first step toward the speedy review and action we requested regarding Arista’s widespread infringement of Cisco’s patented networking technology. We welcome the ITC’s initial action in this case, and by voting to commence an investigation into our complaints regarding Arista’s use of Cisco’s patented […]

January 20, 2015

HIGH TECH POLICY

Why We are United for Patent Reform

2 min read

Last week marked the first steps forward for a broad-based coalition of businesses who are working together to fight wanton abuse of the patent litigation system by patent assertion entities (PAEs). The coalition – United for Patent Reform – is comprised of grocery, hotel, retail, restaurant and technology associations and companies including Cisco. Our mission: to […]

December 23, 2014

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

A Grammy-Class Outcome to the Rockstar Patents

3 min read

Today’s definitive agreement for purchase of the Rockstar patents by a subsidiary of patent clearinghouse RPX Corporation, with simultaneous licensing of the portfolio to more than 30 technology companies, including Cisco, represents a victory for common sense.

December 19, 2014

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Protecting Innovation: Cisco Seeks Injunctive Relief at ITC

1 min read

Today, we have formally asked the US International Trade Commission for an injunction (in ITC parlance, an “exclusion order”) blocking Arista from importing and selling products that use Cisco’s patented technologies in the United States.

December 5, 2014

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Protecting Innovation

7 min read

In the thirteen years I’ve been General Counsel of Cisco, I can count on one hand the number of times we’ve initiated suit against a competitor, supplier or customer. It’s therefore only after thoughtful and serious consideration that we are today filing two lawsuits to stop Arista’s repeated and pervasive copying of key inventions in […]

October 17, 2014

HIGH TECH POLICY

Statement of Cisco General Counsel Mark Chandler on Nomination of Michelle K. Lee as Director of U.S. Patent and Tradema …

1 min read

On behalf of Cisco, let me congratulate President Obama on nominating Michelle Lee to be Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Over the past year as Deputy Director, Michelle Lee has demonstrated that she has what it takes to oversee the Patent and Trademark Office. She’s already taken needed steps to cut the patent […]

Internet Security Necessary for Global Technology Economy

3 min read

Today’s security challenges are real and significant.  We want governments to detect and disrupt terrorist networks before they inflict harm on our society, our citizens, and our systems of government.   We also want to live in countries that respect their citizens’ basic human rights.  The tension between security and freedom has become one the most pressing […]

February 20, 2014

HIGH TECH POLICY

Statement of Mark Chandler on Need for Patent System that Rewards Innovation and Discourages Speculation

2 min read

I’ve commented here about the imperative to return to a patent system that incents and rewards innovation and discourages the speculators and opportunists who are using litigation leverage and bad patents to extract money from the productive elements of the economy.  That’s why we urge the Senate to follow the House’s overwhelming, bipartisan vote to […]

February 6, 2014

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Innovatio Case: Victory for Cisco Customers Makes the Case for Patent Reform

2 min read

We're pleased to announce today that we've achieved full protection for millions of Cisco customers from the overblown and specious claims of a very aggressive patent assertion entity.

December 5, 2013

HIGH TECH POLICY

Statement by Cisco General Counsel Mark Chandler on House Passage of the “Innovation Act”

1 min read

“The House of Representatives today took measured and reasonable steps against the misuse of the legal system by patent assertion entities, by passing legislation to dry up the financial incentives that allow patent assertion entities to thrive. As a company that has a portfolio of over 10,000 US patents by dint of our strong culture […]

November 20, 2013

HIGH TECH POLICY

Statement by Cisco General Counsel Mark Chandler on House Judiciary Committee Passage of the “Innovation Act”

1 min read

“For years, patent assertion entities – otherwise known as patent trolls – have been targeting businesses large and small with frivolous lawsuits, threat letters, and intimidation tactics.  Lately, the problem has been getting worse, with 60% of new lawsuits filed by patent assertion entities, up from 25% in 2007. Today, the House Judiciary Committee took […]

October 23, 2013

HIGH TECH POLICY

Statement by Cisco General Counsel Mark Chandler on Introduction of the “Innovation Act”

1 min read

“Cisco applauds introduction of the Innovation Act,  legislation which aims to address the growing problem of patent assertion entities, often called patent trolls. “According to a new study released this week, the problem is getting worse.  Nearly 60 percent of new patent lawsuits are being filed by patent assertion entities, up from 25% in 2007.  […]

A Tipping Point in Rebalancing Our Patent System

2 min read

President Obama yesterday provided executive leadership on an issue that is of critical importance to American businesses, consumers and the U.S. economy. The U.S. patent system has long been held up as a model for promoting ingenuity and encouraging our national history of invention and entrepreneurship.  Recently, however, abusive patent litigation brought who have figured […]

October 17, 2012

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Cisco Submits Letter to the Washington Post

1 min read

Cisco submitted the following Letter to the Editor of the Washington Post: October 17, 2012 Washington Post Letter to the Editor, In a page one article last Thursday entitled, “US rivals lobby against Chinese firm,” the Post implies that Cisco engaged in a lobbying campaign against Huawei on Capitol Hill regarding national security issues, and […]

October 11, 2012

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Huawei and Cisco’s Source Code: Correcting the Record

3 min read

Last week, I wrote about statements made by Charles Ding, Huawei’s Senior Vice President and Chief Representative in the U.S., Mr. Ding explained the 2003-2004 intellectual property litigation between Cisco and Huawei as follows: “Huawei provided our source code of our products to Cisco for review and the results were that there was not any […]

October 1, 2012

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Cisco Suggests Huawei Release Court Report on Intellectual Property Misuse

2 min read

To facilitate the understanding about what actually happened in the Cisco v. Huawei litigation and allow Huawei to itself clear up any confusion, we waive any confidentiality requirement for the sealed report and suggest that Huawei itself have the expert's complete final report put into the public domain.

September 13, 2012

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Why Apple-Samsung Proves that the Patent System Can Work

2 min read

The Apple-Samsung case not only proves that our system can still work but also reflects the genius behind our patent system.

February 12, 2012

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Helping the Open Internet to Thrive

3 min read

Cisco is proud that our employees have played leading roles in the creation of interoperability standards, just as they have invented many of the foundational technologies used in the global data network.

February 8, 2012

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Patent Fees Should Cover PTO Expenses

1 min read

The fees paid by users of the PTO should cover the cost of the services the PTO provides, and the fees, once paid, should actually be available to the PTO to provide those services and not diverted to other purposes.

July 6, 2011

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Cisco Responds to Wall Street Journal Article on China

1 min read

An article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal explores how US companies, including Cisco, are working with the Chongqing government in a wide-ranging public infrastructure project.   First, as a matter of policy, Cisco has not and will not sell video surveillance cameras or video surveillance management software in its public infrastructure projects in China.  We were […]

Cisco Supports Freedom of Expression, an Open Internet and Human Rights

2 min read

First things first – Cisco believes in the Internet and its ability to educate, unite, empower, challenge, disrupt, collaborate, create and inspire, and the equipment we provide helps the Internet work. Cisco strongly supports free expression and open communication on the Internet. We are proud to have played a leading role in helping to make […]

January 28, 2011

HIGH TECH POLICY

Standards Play a Vital Role in Fueling Innovation

3 min read

On Tuesday morning I was honored to represent Cisco in a roundtable discussion sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) about the role of the federal government in standards.  (Watch the webcast here.) Standards play a vital role in fueling innovation, promoting competition, lowering technology costs and accelerating market growth – particularly when […]

July 19, 2010

HIGH TECH POLICY

Cisco welcomes launch of first ever U.S. National IP Strategy

2 min read

In a fascinating profile of Thomas Edison that appeared recently in Time Magazine I was reminded once again of Edison’s importance to America’s historic strength in science, innovation and discovery. Edison’s goal was to create a “minor invention” every ten days and a “major invention” every six months.  His track record was astounding:  1,093 total […]

April 30, 2009

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

America’s Continued Lead in Innovation Requires Fixes to Flaws in Patent System

3 min read

This week, in a remarkable speech to the National Academy of Sciences, President Obama laid out a bold vision for America to maintain its global lead in innovation. In his remarks, the President said, “Scientific innovation offers us a chance to achieve prosperity. It has offered us benefits that have improved our health and our […]