Howard Lee

Updated profile for Chief Intellectual Property Counsel to reflect additional responsibilities related to: - use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Legal / IP Legal (part of AI Steering Committee) - updating Data Governance policy to address confluence of AI, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy - IT / software licensing and contract management for Color Management and Procurement groups - interacting with IT department on domain name squatting / false advertising on website and social media platforms - providing training and guidance on trademark and copyright issues for marketing division - panelist or presenter on the following IP-related topics: Valuing and the Value of Your IP Portfolio (Apr 2026); Navigating US & Global AI / IP Regulations (Oct 2025); AI and IP (Feb 2025) - Consero IP Group Advisory Board member - completed Univ. of California Law (San Francisco) Law and AI Certificate Program (21-25 July 2025)

Report to the VP, Chief Administrative Officer, GC and Secretary. Responsibilities/accomplishments include: - Managing a strategic, global IP portfolio (patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, domain names and know-how) and maintaining/updating IP policies and procedures in collaboration with R&D, business, commercial and marketing - Coordinating IP activities with parent company (DIC - Japan) - Conducting legal research/providing opinions and risk assessment for company (freedom to operate (FTO), clearance for new products and services, infringement, validity and M&A due diligence) - Providing transactional support and negotiating confidentiality (CDA/NDA), data sharing, joint development (JDA), licensing, material transfer (MTA), research, SaaS and service agreements - Managing IP-related disputes and/or identify IP enforcement opportunities (Oppositions and other post-grant reviews, litigation, infringement actions, agreement violations) - Managing global IP staff consisting of direct reports and matrix reports - Using data analytics to spot trends in IP portfolio management and spending - Collaborating with Tax and Finance to address IP-related tax and cross-licensing issues - IP due diligence support for M&A activities and integrating acquired IP (recently acquisitions: Sensient Imaging, BASF Color & Effects, SellerInk (BR), Sapici S.p.A) - Visiting domestic and global sites to align IP practices and build relationships with diverse R&D/business units - Panelist or presenter on the following IP-related topics: Use of AI in IP (2024), Global Patent Prosecution (2024), Tax and IP (2023), Global Patent Prosecution and Portfolio Management (2022/2023), Copyright content access and compliance (2022), IP and M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions) (2021) - Was on-site until COVID-19 pandemic

Reported to parent company (TASNEE) General Counsel Responsible for: - Protecting and expanding Cristal's global IP portfolio, including global patent drafting and prosecution, patent auditing, patent opinions (risk assessment, infringement, invalidity, white space analysis), trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, domain names, and agreements relating to IP/R&D (including confidentiality/non-disclosure, joint development, licensing, material transfer, research, supply, services and transfer agreements) - Developing and managing IP budget (achieved 50% spend reduction by consolidating outside counsel and implementing IP Management system and integrating system with project management tools - Maintaining company IP policies and procedures and consulting with senior management on IP strategy - Managing relationships with outside counsel and internal business partners regarding IP matters including R&D (research and development), marketing (commercial), manufacturing, M&A (mergers and acquisitions) supply chain and regulatory/compliance - Performing legal research for opinions for internal business partners and writing Appeal Briefs for US prosecution/providing draft arguments for foreign prosecution - Collaborating with business/marketing leaders on brand management - Training business partners in IP matters ranging from basic IP training for new employees to advanced level training for C-suite executives - Identifying IP significance and providing strategic analysis for developments in the law (e.g. Defense of Trade Secrets Act, Brexit, Patent Boxes (taxation), Unified Patent Court/Unitary Patent) business environment and technology at relating to titanium dioxide and titanium metals, petrochemicals (polymers), plastics, batteries, surface chemistry and catalysis - Updating IP due diligence checklist for (M&A) transactions; participating in identification and transfer of IP to Tronox - Recovered $1M from misappropriation of licensed technology

Manage/co-manage global oral care (toothpaste/mouthwash) portfolio; work with R&D to prepare and prosecute patent applications; work with marketing, supply chain and regulatory on product clearances in advance of new product launches, act as liaison for R&D for agreements. Colgate-Palmolive part of Ocean Tomo 300 Patent Index since 2013/2014 index and recently added to the IPO Top 300 Patent Owners (#243 in 2014)

Responsible for drafting, filing and prosecuting patent applications for selected US/foreign company and university clients of the firm. Drafted opinions for freedom to operate (FTO), infringement, inventorship, compliance with the Patent Process Act, patent term extension (PTE) eligibility, patent validity and research exception compliance. Responsible technologies included agrochemicals, animal health care, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, polysiloxanes and polyurethanes

Assisted firm in developing prosecution practice in DC office including implementation of electronic filing procedures and training three patent administrative assistants; primary technologies worked on included agrochemicals, animal healthcare, CMP/nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals/medical devices and polymers; also worked with in aspects of prosecution from university research programs

Responsible for all aspects of patent prosecution; trained two patent secretaries; filed firm's first application electronically; primary technologies worked on included agrochemicals, building materials, consumer products, cosmetics, oil additives and polymers

Obtained Primary Examiner status on Feb 1999 Achieved Master's Level status as Examiner in the carbohydrate arts on Jan 1998 Examined plant extracts/natural products applications (1994)

Full-time supervision of shift teams for the productions of Cefoxitin, Diuril, Hydrodiuril and Omeprazole (active ingredient in Prilosec and Losec) Part-time maintenance coordinator at the plant

Responsible for unit mission of providing maintenance support to incoming and outgoing combat units Peacetime Reserve duty mission included service as company's Training Officer (Jan 1988 - Sep 1990)

Provided quality control support for dye production at plant (Methyl Red and Micheler's ketone)