Prepared: April 6, 2026 Case: Litman v. Goldberg, Index No. 524343/2025 (NY Sup. Ct., Kings County) Relevance: Count V -- NY Civil Rights Law Sections 50-51 (Misappropriation of Name)
The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) is a longstanding NGM client originated and managed by Richard Litman. The email record documents 55 unique KISR docket numbers across the 32366.xx and 33112.xx series, consistent with the uncle's claim of a contract for approximately 12 patents per year. The KISR relationship continued actively through at least July 1, 2025 -- more than five years after the June 15, 2020 SOL cutoff.
Key findings:
| Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Eng. Ahmad Ibrahim Haji | ahaji@kisr.edu.kw | Department Manager, Scientific & Technical Innovations Dept. (STID) |
| Fatima S. Mohamed (Fatma Shah) | fmohamed@kisr.edu.kw | Senior Management Analyst I, STID |
| Fatemah K. AbdulSalam | fabdulsalam@kisr.edu.kw | STID staff |
| Munirah H. Al Ajmi | mhajmi@kisr.edu.kw | Project Analyst I, STID |
| Annie George | ageorge@kisr.edu.kw | Administrative support |
| Brian Dsouza | bdsouza@kisr.edu.kw | Financial/accounting contact |
| Name | Role in KISR Matters |
|---|---|
| Martha Long | Primary day-to-day paralegal; direct client contact with KISR |
| Lindsay Dunbar | Maintenance fees, patent certificates, foreign filing support |
| Joshua Goldberg | Managing partner; financial decisions; client relationship management |
| James Lafave | Patent prosecution support |
| Al Muratori (Alfred Muratori) | Patent searches, data analysis |
| Richard Litman | CC'd on internal emails; excluded from direct KISR communications post-2020 |
| Haley Johnson | U.S. & Foreign Filing Department |
| Stephen Leon | Docketing Specialist |
55 unique KISR docket numbers identified across email correspondence:
32366 series (original KISR dockets): .03, .04, .05, .07, .09, .14, .15, .16, .25, .26, .3, .37, .38, .62, .63, .64, .65, .66, .67, .69, .70, .71, .72, .75, .76, .81, .83, .84, .85, .85U, .86, .88QA, .88SA, .89, .89U, .90, .90PCT, .91, .94, .94U, .97, .97S, .97U, .98S, .99, .99S, .99U
33112 series (newer KISR dockets): .00, .00S, .00U, .01S, .03S, .04S, .05S, .06S
This count is consistent with the uncle's description of a contract for approximately 12 patents per year over many years.
December 2018: Goldberg and Litman visited KISR in Kuwait together. Goldberg emails to "Ahmad Ibrahim Haji" with Litman CC'd: "Thank you very much for all the time you and everyone else from the team spent with us this week!" Subject line referenced "Mr. Richard & Mr. Joshua visit to Kuwait/KISR." Both were active in the relationship.
March-August 2019: Active patent prosecution work on KISR dockets. Goldberg coordinating internally with Martha Long and Litman CC'd on all emails. KISR Patent Registration Tender submitted. KISR Statement of Work circulated.
October-November 2019: Goldberg and Litman visited Kuwait/KISR again. Goldberg emailed Eiman Al-Awadhi directly, CC'ing Litman on both his @nathlaw.com and @4patent.com addresses. Proposed Statement of Work for KISR training.
November 2019: Follow-up on the KISR visit. Goldberg sent proposed training Statement of Work to KISR. Budget discussions for training sessions deferred to next fiscal year.
July 29, 2020 -- Goldberg emails Martha Long and Accounting regarding "Expenditure Summary for KISR's Patents." Litman and kisr@4patent.com CC'd. Goldberg directs accounting on how to read collections data by matter number. Category: FULL_NAME_USE; CC_LITMAN.
August 28, 2020 -- Goldberg to Litman regarding Kuwait University analysis, mentions KISR: "How about looking at institutes as well, like QF and KISR?" Litman actively engaged in strategic client discussion. Category: FULL_NAME_USE; CC_LITMAN.
August 31, 2020 -- Goldberg to Martha Long regarding "Issued Patent Certificates for Clients." Litman CC'd. This is a client-wide communication that includes KISR patent certificates. Category: FULL_NAME_USE; CC_LITMAN.
September 18, 2020 -- Goldberg writes to Litman about Kuwait University Oxford Report, analyzing patent portfolio data: "Richard, I hope you get to talk with Omar soon!" Litman actively advising on Kuwaiti client strategy. LITMAN_IN_BODY: True.
September 24-26, 2020 -- Intensive Kuwait patent documentation effort. Goldberg coordinates with Al Muratori, Martha Long, and Litman on Kuwait patent data. Goldberg shares OneDrive document "KU patents.docx." Litman CC'd on all. Goldberg says: "I agree with Richard on all this." Multiple emails. Category: FULL_NAME_USE; CC_LITMAN. LITMAN_IN_BODY: True.
September 26, 2020 -- Goldberg to Martha Long: "I agree we should provide them with the list of 51 patents." Active patent portfolio management for Kuwait clients including KISR.
September 27, 2020 -- Goldberg leads Zoom meeting with Kuwait University (including KU, KISR, and related entities). Emails meeting minutes to all parties. Litman CC'd. Category: SIGNATURE_BLOCK; FULL_NAME_USE; CC_LITMAN.
October 6, 2020 -- Goldberg follows up on the September 27 KU Zoom meeting: "To keep the momentum in a positive direction." Litman CC'd. Category: SIGNATURE_BLOCK; FULL_NAME_USE; CC_LITMAN.
October 13, 2020 -- Goldberg to Martha Long regarding call with Shaikha AlSanea at Kuwait University: "It is good to know KU is happy with what we are doing." Mentions KISR data. Litman CC'd. Category: FULL_NAME_USE; CC_LITMAN.
October 15-19, 2020 -- Data compilation for Kuwait University. Goldberg directs: "Let's work on just getting the patent numbers done and off to KU for now." Martha Long, Morgan Rosenberg, and Al Muratori working on the data. Litman CC'd on all. Category: SIGNATURE_BLOCK; FULL_NAME_USE; CC_LITMAN.
June 20, 2022 -- Goldberg to Martha Long and Litman regarding "Extra information for patent Doc. 33024_20X." CC: KISR (kisr@4patent.com). Goldberg signs as "Green Patent Guy" from Brooklyn. Litman CC'd. Category: FULL_NAME_USE; CC_LITMAN.
December 9, 2022 -- Martha Long distributes "The PAD" (Goldberg's internal tracking system) including KISR docket 32366.37 prebill and first maintenance fee invoice. Attachments include multiple prebills and invoices.
December 11, 2022 -- Ahmad Ibrahim Haji (KISR) to Lindsay Dunbar: authorizes payment of 2nd Maintenance Fee for Docket 32366.09, amount $2,330. "Please include the fee with the next KISR invoices."
December 12, 2022 -- Lindsay Dunbar confirms to Ahmad payment of 2nd Maintenance Fee with Invoice #404977.
December 13, 2022 -- Fatima S. Mohamed (KISR) to Martha Long regarding Docket 32366.90: "KISR has decided to file a PCT application (only)." Cost confirmed at $13,000.
December 14, 2022 -- Goldberg to KSU contacts and Litman regarding Advisory Action on Docket 33098.00U (KSU, but cross-referenced with KISR client network): "We have enjoyed working with you both and look forward to continuing to do so for years to come." Category: FULL_NAME_USE; CC_LITMAN.
December 17, 2022 -- Martha Long notifies Ahmad: Notice of Allowance for KISR Docket 32366.89. Issue fee due: $1,150.
December 18, 2022 -- Ahmad responds: "Thank you for the great news and all your Team support during the process of receiving KISR's Patent. Kindly proceed with issue fee."
December 21, 2022 -- Martha Long to Fatima regarding new invention disclosure Docket 32366.99S: "This means that with the next case, KISR will have a new Docket number!" -- confirming the docket series was approaching its limit (docket 32366.99).
December 28, 2022 -- Fatemah K. AbdulSalam (KISR) requests update on Docket 32366.85U. Martha Long responds: Amendment filed December 27, 2022.
The year 2023 represents the peak of documented KISR email activity with 325 financial emails identified. Key events:
January 2023: Rapid-fire patent prosecution -- - Issue fee paid for Docket 32366.89 (Jan 5) - Patent search completed for Docket 32366.97S (Vertical Potato Planter and Harvester) (Jan 5) - Annuity in Qatar paid for Docket 32366.88QA (Jan 13) - Issue Notification for Docket 32366.81 -- patent to issue January 31, 2023 (Jan 18) - Issue Notification for Docket 32366.89U -- patent to issue February 7, 2023 (Jan 24) - Final Office Action for Docket 32366.85 (Jan 26) - KISR invoices sent, including fee schedule updates (Jan 9-29) - Meeting with KISR Staff regarding Docket 32366.90 PCT (Jan 10) - Patent search completed for Docket 32366.98S (Isolation of Pure Beta-Carotene) (Jan 22)
January 29, 2023 -- Martha Long sends invoices to Brian Dsouza at KISR (bdsouza@kisr.edu.kw).
February-December 2023: Continued prosecution across dozens of dockets. Martha Long is the consistent point of contact. Multiple patent searches, office action responses, maintenance fee payments, and new application filings.
July 17, 2023 -- Litman sent item: Litman to Goldberg regarding client strategy: "I would focus on KFU and KSU. I would first check their academic calendar." Litman was still actively advising on Kuwaiti client strategy -- more than three years after the purported "termination" and more than one year after the arbitration decision.
January 15, 2024 -- Martha Long to Fatima regarding Docket 32366.83.
February 6, 2024 -- Martha Long sends revised patent application for Docket 33112.00U to KISR. (Note: new docket series 33112 now assigned to KISR, as 32366 series reached capacity.)
April 2024 -- Reminders sent for revised application Docket 33112.00U.
September 12, 2024 -- Martha Long's daily work list includes KISR Docket 32366.88SA (Saudi Arabia annuity payment).
September 23, 2024 -- Martha Long's daily work list includes KISR Dockets 32366.84 (EPO annuity), 32366.99U (new patent application). Blue Sheet created: "Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research - 32366.99U."
November 14, 2024 -- Maintenance fee instructions for KISR Dockets 32366.70 (1st MF with surcharge) and 32366.76 (1st MF).
November 20-21, 2024 -- Ahmad sends issued patent for Docket 32366.97 to KISR. UPS shipping address issues discussed.
November 27, 2024 -- Martha Long sends revised patent application for Docket 32366.99U.
December 14, 2024 -- Ahmad requests official USPTO letter on fee increases for KISR contract documents. Fatima requests round-up of approved maintenance fees into December invoices.
December 19, 2024 -- Martha Long notifies Ahmad: Notice of Allowance for Docket 33112.00U. Issue fee: $1,030.
December 20, 2024 -- Martha Long expresses sympathy for Ahmad's emergency leave. Goldberg replies directly to Ahmad: "Dear Eng. Ahmad, I am sorry to hear it is necessary for you to go on emergency leave... I am currently in Brooklyn. If there is anything I can do to help while you are in NY, please let me know." This is Goldberg personally communicating with a Litman-originated client.
December 21, 2024 -- Ahmad responds to Goldberg: "Dear Mr. Joshua, Thank you so much and God bless you all." Fatima authorizes payment for Docket 33112.00.
December 23, 2024 -- Issue fee paid for KISR Docket 33112.00U ($480 charged to CC EB PATENT).
December 30, 2024 -- KEY FINANCIAL EVIDENCE: - Valencia Gray (Accounting) reports incoming wire transfer of $15,416.36 from Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research. She asks Goldberg: "please advise if the remaining balance should be written off." - Goldberg responds: "Yes, that remaining 15% should be written off." This demonstrates Goldberg's unilateral financial control over KISR billing decisions. - Martha Long sends revised application for Docket 32366.99U and issue fee payment confirmation for Docket 33112.00U.
January 8-9, 2025 -- Lindsay Dunbar confirms 1st Maintenance Fee paid for Docket 32366.70.
January 9, 2025 -- Patent allowed to expire: Ahmad instructs "KISR will not process the 2nd US Maintenance Fee for Docket 32366.05." Martha Long instructs docketing: "Do NOT Pay 2nd Maintenance Fee." Patent 9,702,837 (System for Measuring Glass Transition Temperature of a Polymer) goes abandoned.
January 10-24, 2025 -- Saudi Arabian maintenance fee paid for Docket 32366.88SA. Maintenance fee reminders sent for Dockets 32366.71 (Japan), 32366.83 (GCC), 32366.91 (Germany). Fatima authorizes GCC renewal.
January 16, 2025 -- Fatima sends signed Power of Attorney and Declaration for Docket 32366.99: "Please ensure to file the application before the 19th, if possible." Martha Long prepares for filing.
January 23, 2025 -- Issue Notification for Docket 33112.00U: patent to issue February 11, 2025.
January 27, 2025 -- Goldberg Kuwait Visit Planned: Martha Long emails Ahmad: "Mr. Goldberg will be visiting Kuwait from 16 February to 20 February 2025. He would love to visit KISR and visit with you and your staff."
January 28, 2025 -- Ahmad responds enthusiastically: "Welcome Back to Kuwait Mr. Joshua Goldberg. The STID team at KISR is so glad to hear this news and looks forward to meeting Mr. Joshua Goldberg." Meeting confirmed for Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM Kuwait Time at KISR headquarters. Ahmad promises to send discussion topics.
January 28, 2025 -- Martha Long forwards the KISR meeting details to Goldberg internally.
February 3, 2025 -- Signed revised CDA received for Docket 32366.99U. Patent application prepared for filing.
February 3, 2025 -- Goldberg confirms Kuwait visit directly to Ahmad: "Thank you so much for your quick reply! It will be good to see you and everyone else in Kuwait! If it is still okay with you, Sunday, 16 February would be a perfect time for me to come visit KISR."
February 4, 2025 -- Ahmad confirms: "We confirm our meeting for Sunday, 16th February 2025, at 10:00 am (Kuwait Time) at KISR Headquarters." Goldberg responds: "That sounds perfect! I look forward to receiving your topics and, of course, to seeing everyone soon."
February 4-10, 2025 -- Lindsay Dunbar sends maintenance fee reminders for multiple KISR dockets: 32366.38 (2nd US MF, due May 28, 2025), 32366.72 (5th Korean annuity, due June 11, 2025), 32366.14 (2nd US MF, due July 15, 2025), 32366.26 (2nd US MF, due July 15, 2025).
February 5, 2025 -- Martha Long: "We filed the patent application for Docket 32366.99U on 3 February 2024 [sic -- likely 2025]."
February 12, 2025 -- Martha Long sends eGrant of issued patent for Docket 33112.00U (issued February 11, 2025).
April 7, 2025 -- New patent search initiated: Blue Sheet created for "Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research - 33112.06S." The KISR relationship continues to generate new work.
May 1, 2025 -- Martha Long's work list includes KISR Dockets 32366.38 (2nd maintenance fee), 32366.26 (2nd maintenance fee), 32366.72 (5th annuity in Korea).
May 19, 2025 -- KISR Docket 32366.88SA response to Saudi Arabian office action in Martha Long's work list.
June 6, 2025 -- LITMAN IDENTIFIES KISR AS HIDDEN CLIENT: In email to Goldberg, Litman demands "the detailed trust ledger from 2020 to 2025 from the trust account(s) including billings and payments, and transfers to operating for 418 clients, including clients which followed the xxxxx.xx format and clients left off transfers such as KISR." This establishes that KISR revenue was not being properly allocated to Litman's account despite his origination of the relationship.
June 10, 2025 -- Martha Long's work list includes KISR Docket 32366.97U -- comments on response to office action.
June 19, 2025 -- Martha Long's work list includes KISR Docket 32366.16 -- instructions to pay 2nd maintenance fee.
July 1, 2025 -- Last documented KISR activity: Martha Long's work list includes KISR Docket 32366.90PCT -- "Request for a report summary of TEAMS meeting and recommendation for US National Phase." Active prosecution work continues.
KISR is a Litman-originated client. Every patent filed, every office action response, every maintenance fee payment, every client communication from NGM regarding KISR matters bore an implicit or explicit connection to Litman's professional identity. The firm traded on Litman's long-standing relationship with KISR.
Goldberg's post-SOL involvement includes: - 50 emails in the Goldberg client CSV with KISR references (all post-SOL) - Direct correspondence with Ahmad Ibrahim Haji (Dec 2024, Feb 2025) - In-person visit to KISR in Kuwait (February 16, 2025) - Unilateral financial decisions (15% write-off on KISR payments, Dec 30, 2024) - Planning and executing client relationship activities without Litman
While Litman was CC'd on some internal emails in 2020, by 2022-2025 the KISR correspondence runs exclusively through Martha Long, Lindsay Dunbar, and Goldberg. Litman does not appear on any direct KISR client communications in 2023-2025. Yet his name remained on the patents and his professional identity continued to support the client relationship.
Litman's June 6, 2025 email specifically identifies KISR as a client whose revenue was "left off transfers." This is consistent with the broader pattern of accounting fraud documented elsewhere (Client Renumbering Scheme, $16.2M Accounting Gap). The documented KISR wire transfer of $15,416.36 (December 2024) and the December 2022 invoices confirm KISR was actively generating revenue for NGM.
The KISR client alias (kisr@4patent.com) operated on Litman's personal domain. As established by DKIM records, all @4patent.com email was routed through NGM's Microsoft 365 tenant (nathlaw.onmicrosoft.com). Goldberg used Litman's domain infrastructure for KISR client management without authorization.
Goldberg visited KISR in Kuwait in February 2025, meeting the team that Litman had cultivated over many years. Ahmad's enthusiastic response ("Welcome Back to Kuwait Mr. Joshua Goldberg") indicates this was not Goldberg's first solo visit. Goldberg was leveraging Litman's client relationships for his own benefit.
Docket 32366.05 (Patent 9,702,837) was allowed to expire in January 2025 for non-payment of maintenance fees. This represents potential damage to the KISR relationship and to Litman's professional reputation as the attorney of record on that patent.
| Period | Email Count | Key Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-SOL (2018-2019) | ~20 | Goldberg + Litman both active; Kuwait visits |
| 2020 (post-SOL) | ~20 | Goldberg leads, Litman CC'd; Kuwait patent documentation |
| 2022 | 19 | Martha Long primary contact; active prosecution |
| 2023 | 325 | Peak volume; dozens of dockets actively prosecuted |
| 2024 | 51 | Continued prosecution; Goldberg plans Kuwait visit |
| 2025 (through July) | 56 | Goldberg visits Kuwait; new filings; patent expiration |
| Total | ~491 | 55 unique docket numbers |