Erik Metzger
Education
Santa Clara University
Doctor of Law (J.D.), Intellectual Property Law 1999-01-01 - 2003-01-01
The University of Kansas
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Electrical and Electronics Engineering 1989-01-01 - 1994-01-01Work Experience
C3 AI
Current
C3 AI
NVIDIA
2018-08-01 - 2025-03-01
NVIDIA
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
2016-08-01 - 2018-08-01
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Intel Corporation
2004-01-01 - 2016-07-01
Intel Corporation
Intel Corporation
1994-06-01 - 2003-01-01
Intel Corporation
Skills
Summary
As Chief IP Counsel at C3.ai, I lead all aspects of the company’s IP function—spanning patent strategy, Agentic AI-focused portfolio development, open source governance, and IP transactions involving software and data. I bring 20+ years of experience protecting and leveraging innovation across AI, cloud, and semiconductors at global leaders including NVIDIA, AWS, and Intel. I have a track record of scaling IP operations from the ground up, aligning legal strategy with product and engineering goals, and navigating complex issues around data rights, open source, and cross-border protection. I’ve built and led global teams, supported high-value collaborations, and developed portfolios across the U.S., Europe, and Asia—including two on-the-ground rotations in China. Specialties: • Strategic patent development (AI/ML, cloud, GPUs/CPUs, enterprise software) • Licensing, collaboration, and M&A support • Open source compliance, contribution strategy • Litigation readiness, risk mitigation I thrive where innovation moves quickly, and legal strategy must evolve just as fast.
