Sheppard Mullin
Firm overview:
Clients ranging from start-up ventures to multinational enterprises go to Sheppard Mullin to handle the complete spectrum of patent issues. The firm’s full-service patent practice is particularly recognised for its litigation work, with the team having extensive experience in high-profile cases involving FRAND (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) and standards-related matters.
Sheppard Mullin also has a team of patent prosecutors with expertise across an array of technologies ready to assist businesses with protecting their products and inventions.
Team overview:
“Persistent and innovative”, Jonathan DeFosse has an accomplished track record in patent litigation and has secured complete victories for clients in cases involving diesel fuel injection systems, online health record management systems, and hybrid engines. DeFosse is also relied upon by clients to represent them in inter partes review (IPR) proceedings, including Mercedes-Benz.
Key matters:
- Amazon and Amazon Services v Nokia Technologies, Patent Trial and Appeal Board, 2024
Sheppard Mullin lawyers Harper Batts, Christopher Ponder and Jeffrey Liang represent Amazon in a Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) matter. Amazon filed two IPR petitions in July 2024, requesting reviews of two patents that Nokia claims to be essential to certain video compression standards. Nokia is asserting the patents against Amazon and its subsidiary Twitch in Delaware.
- Edwards Lifesciences v Meril Life Sciences, 96 F.4th 1347, US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 2024
Sheppard Mullin attorneys were part of the team representing Edwards Lifesciences in this widely watched dispute over heart valve systems. In March 2024, the Court of Appeals found that Meril’s importation of the products was protected by the ‘safe harbour’ statute, with one justice strongly dissenting from the majority.
Clients:
Amazon, Edwards Life Sciences.
