Communications Technology

From content delivery to the user experience, our Communications Technology Group provides end-to-end service and protection to leading clients in the communications technology industry. Our experience in this major industry dates back decades, and in that time we have led the way with innovative IP services in patent prosecution, due diligence, infringement and validity analyses, and litigation, and creating effective solutions to neutralize legal issues (e.g., discovering imperfect chain of title and/or encumbrances) in transactional and pre-litigation matters.

Our expertise includes mobile networks, in particular, 3G and 4G devices and networks. In addition, we have experience in the protection of software and communication protocols across WAN/LAN networks, including optical and Wi-Fi networks.

With more than 70 registered patent attorneys and agents experienced in Telecom, Datacom and Enterprise disciplines, we know how each of these areas informs and affects the other, and are able to help our clients leverage this knowledge to create a competitive advantage. Through 2014, Knobbe Martens has prosecuted through issuance, over 2,000 patents in the Communications Technology area.

Our attorneys have experience in all areas of Communications Technology, including:

Cellular Networking & Communications

Internet Telephony

Radio

Videoconferencing

Fiber Optic Networks

Low-Power Networks

Television

Wireless Local Area Networks

Representative Engagements

Broadcom

CallWave

Experian

Micron Technology

QUALCOMM Incorporated

Samsung

T-Mobile USA, Inc.

Websense

Successes

Broadcom Corporation

Knobbe Martens has served as lead trademark counsel for all of Broadcom Corporation’s worldwide trademark matters, including: liaised with in-house legal and domain name team to establish and execute worldwide domain name enforcement and procurement strategy for Broadcom Corporation despite challenges due to ever increasing number of generic and country code level domain names.

Exemplary trademark enforcement matters include: Broadcom Corporation v. Peter Ihesie (aka Broadcom Networks) (2011 NAF) (domain name transferred due to successful domain name action); Broadcom Corporation v. Domain Name Management/ Syed Hussain (NAF 2012) (domain name transferred due to successful domain name action); Broadcom Corporation v. Broadphone LLC (TTAB 2009) (represented Broadcom in obtaining summary judgment against Broadphone LLC).

Schindler Elevator Corp. and Inventio AG v. Otis Elevator Co.

We achieved a complete victory for Schindler in jury trial in Manhattan involving Schindler’s patented Schindler ID® elevator system. After a two-week jury trial, the jury answered all 33 questions in Schindler’s favor and the district court entered a permanent injunction. We previously represented Schindler in a successful appeal overturning an erroneous claim construction and obtaining reversal of noninfringement ruling.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) v. Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc.

CSIRO sued our client, Toshiba, and other leading laptop, desktop and wireless product manufacturers, alleging that their products that comply with the IEEE 802.11a, g or n standards infringed its patent. Previously, one company had been found to infringe the patent and was subject to a permanent injunction. In conjunction with the other defendants, the defense group was able to successfully settle the case after the fourth day of trial when the invalidity defense was presented to the jury.

Custom Connect v. Bartholomew

We represented the plaintiff Custom Connect in a case involving customer lists. We obtained a permanent injunction and judgment by consent, an apology letter to the industry, and a substantial settlement payment from the defendants.

Not So Obvious: Substantial Evidence Review of Factual Issue in an Obviousness Claim
The Choice Is Not Yours: Foreign Defendants Cannot Avoid Personal Jurisdiction by Post-suit, Unilateral Forum Designation
Failure to Vacate Adverse Standing Decision Upon Settlement Stops Subsequent Suits