The involvement of hedge funds and private equity in litigation finance has often been veiled in secrecy. Recent developments have shed light on the participation of major financial entities in this burgeoning sector. Davidson Kempner Capital Management, a hedge fund managing $35 billion, was recently identified as funding patent litigation against Audible Inc., marking the…
Amazon and Nokia have resolved all patent litigation through a global, multi-year patent settlement, which spans from Germany to Brazil. This settlement puts an end to a dispute that had been in contention since October 2023. Hogan Lovells and Alston & Bird played pivotal roles in facilitating this agreement over video technology disputes. Lawyers from…
Mintz has announced the addition of Tawfik Goma to its Miami office, where he joins as an intellectual property litigation member. Goma’s expertise is expected to strengthen the firm’s capabilities in handling patent disputes. His practice involves representing clients before entities such as the US International Trade Commission, federal district courts, US Customs and Border…
In a notable move, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has strengthened its intellectual property litigation team by acquiring a group of five attorneys from Latham & Watkins LLP. This acquisition includes a bi-coastal team known for handling numerous high-profile and complex patent and trade secrets cases over the past decade. Cleary has praised the…
In a recent decision, a San Francisco federal magistrate judge imposed over $60,000 in personal sanctions on William Ramey III, a Texas intellectual property attorney, along with two other lawyers from his patent firm. The ruling cites unauthorized practice of law due to practicing in California without obtaining the necessary state license and avoiding the…
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) is strategically enhancing its intellectual property capabilities by recruiting patent litigator Florian Schmidt-Bogatzky. This move comes as the demand for patent litigation in Europe escalates, notably influenced by the activity at the European Unified Patent Court (UPC). Since its inception in June 2023, the UPC has experienced a marked increase in…
Fox Rothschild LLP has announced the addition of Alex Korona as a partner in the firm’s intellectual property department in Princeton, New Jersey. Korona is known for his expertise in crafting comprehensive intellectual property strategies, which encompass the prosecution, management, and enforcement of patents and trademarks. He joins the firm from McCarter & English. Korona’s…
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has reported significant financial growth for the second consecutive year, driven primarily by steady demand in crucial practice areas such as patent litigation. The firm’s revenue and net income both increased by over 18% in 2024, reaching $2.46 billion and $1.59 billion, respectively. Profits per equity partner also surged 22.8%,…
In a recent development that could potentially reshape the landscape for patent litigation involving imports, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has offered new interpretations regarding the domestic industry requirement under Section 337 of the Tariff Act. This comes as a result of two significant rulings in Lashify, Inc. v. ITC and…
Despite accounting for up to 30% of the patent attorney workforce, women represent only 13% of attorneys appearing before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) in post-grant proceedings since the board’s inception in 2012. This statistic is outlined in a report released by the PTAB Bar Association. The disparity raises questions about gender representation…
The landscape of litigation finance is undergoing a notable shift as new funding deals have reached their lowest point in over five years. A recent report by Westfleet Advisors highlights a downturn in new litigation finance commitments, which declined by 16% from 2023 and 30% from 2022, with total funding standing at $2.3 billion last…
In a recent legal maneuver, a patent attorney from Baker Botts has urged the court to reject an attempt by Leigh Rothschild for a swift victory in his defamation lawsuit. Rachael Lamkin, representing herself in the matter, presented her case before the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, contending that neither Rothschild…
In a notable decision, Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York has sanctioned Bill Ramey, a patent attorney from Houston, for filing an insubstantial patent infringement suit against tech giant Google LLC. The attorney is being held accountable for failing to withdraw a weak complaint even…
In a significant development for the legal tech sector, Rev, renowned for its advanced speech-to-text technology, has acquired SmartDepo, a leader in AI-powered deposition summaries. This acquisition aligns two companies with a commitment to quality, accuracy, and efficiency for their legal clientele, benefiting law firms and court reporting agencies by automating the labor-intensive process of…
In an unexpected development, the Commerce Department has dismissed all members of the two advisory panels that provide guidance on patent and trademark issues to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The dismissal, ordered by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, affects the Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) and the Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC), totaling…
Thompson Hine, a law firm recognized for its comprehensive legal services, has launched a new office in Minneapolis, augmenting its intellectual property (IP) and technology litigation division. The firm announced the addition of three prominent partners from Robins Kaplan to spearhead this expansion: Christopher Larus, William Manske, and Rajin Singh Olson. As partners, they will…
In the realm of intellectual property (IP), corporations face a pivotal decision: whether to shield their innovations under patent protection or trade secret laws. Each offers unique advantages and brings distinct challenges, shedding light on the broader trends of patent and trade secret litigation. A patent grants exclusive rights over an invention for 20 years,…
An East Texas federal court’s special investigator has recommended potential sanctions against the law firm Irell & Manella, citing actions undertaken by two of its patent litigators during a recent deposition. The considerations come as part of the ongoing legal proceedings between Samsung Electronics Co. and Malvern, Pennsylvania-based tech company, CogniPower LLC. The issue arose…
McDermott Will & Emery has expanded its presence in California by establishing a new office in San Diego. The office will initially house five employees, including three partners specializing in intellectual property (IP). Among these personnel is patent litigator Douglas Carsten, who will serve as the managing partner of the new location. These launches are…
In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, the protection of intellectual property remains a critical concern, particularly with the emergence of unauthorized model distillation. Companies are focusing on technical solutions to tackle this issue, while legal frameworks are being examined for their effectiveness in safeguarding rights. Significantly, patent law could play a crucial role…
John Squires, a renowned partner with experience in advanced technologies and intellectual property at Dilworth Paxson, has been nominated by the Trump administration to take over as the head of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The nomination for Squires to become Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the…
Fish & Richardson, a noted intellectual property law firm, is set to defend Voice Comm, a New Jersey-based distributor, against allegations of patent infringement over charging technology. The lawsuit has been initiated by competitor Voltstar Technologies. This case positions Fish & Richardson, which recently announced expansion into the Chicago market, in the midst of a…
In a recent development in the arena of intellectual property litigation, Microsoft’s legal team secured a dismissal of a patent infringement lawsuit brought against the technology giant by SafeCast Ltd. The federal case was adjudicated in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, where Judge Margaret M. Garnett ruled in favor…
Luxury watchmakers are embroiled in a legal battle in Texas over the use of NFT technology, raising significant questions about patent rights in the digital asset domain. The lawsuit comes at a time when many patents, filed during the rapid rise of NFTs amid the coronavirus pandemic, are undergoing examination. Mauricio Uribe, chair of the…
A federal judge demonstrated a willingness to sanction Texas patent attorney Bill Ramey in relation to his lawsuit against Google. During oral arguments, Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo expressed uncertainty regarding the appropriate legal pathway through which she could compel Ramey’s firm, Ramey LLP, to cover over $124,000 in legal fees for Google. As reported, this…