Boilerplate contract provisions that can bite you in IP litigation.
Please join us to learn about how common contract clauses concerning ownership, forum selection, releases, and non-disclosure agreements may impact IP litigation
Our Speakers:
John Sganga – Partner, Knobbe-Martens
An experienced and proven advocate and trial lawyer, John Sganga has spent over three decades successfully and exclusively litigating intellectual property and technology disputes. John’s cases always involve a client whose technology or brand has been stolen or high-jacked, or who has been wrongly accused of doing so.
A quick study in understanding even the most pioneering innovation, John is able to distill complex technologies to their core while gaining an in-depth understanding of his client’s business model and financial imperatives. John’s skills as an effective communicator and persuasive negotiator enable him to thrive in high-pressure situations and high-stakes cases. He is regarded as someone who remains calm while out-thinking and out-persuading his opponents.
John is personally dedicated to working diligently to define a win for his client at the onset of every matter, developing a distinct approach to problem-solving, and leading his team in executing the right strategy appropriately and energetically to victory. Having represented plaintiffs and defendants alike, John has secured courtroom victories of over $100 million for both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes technology disputes. He appears in courts nationwide, including jury trials, bench trials, arbitrations, appeals, and administrative proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) and the International Trade Commission (ITC).
John’s experience includes patent, trade secret, copyright, and trademark infringement matters, as well as contract disputes involving technology development and IP rights. The industries with which John is familiar are also diverse and range from medical and dental devices, engine technology and software, to food and beverage and consumer products.
John has been active as a bar leader, is a past chair of his firm’s Litigation practice, a frequent lecturer on IP law and litigation strategy, an author of a book and numerous articles, and has taught patent litigation as an adjunct law professor. He has been recognized with numerous awards as a stand-out lawyer locally (Super Lawyers), state-wide (Daily Journal “Top IP Attorneys in California”), nationally (The Best Lawyers in America, BTI “Client Service All-Star” and Martindale Hubbell AV judicial pre-eminent rating), and internationally (IAM “World’s Leading Patent Professionals”).
Joshua Stowell – Partner, Knobbe-Martens
For over a decade, Joshua has successfully represented and counseled clients in technology and intellectual property disputes. He has litigated cases relating to patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, unfair competition, licensing agreements, and other technology contracts. Joshua’s clients range from large, public corporations to small startups and individuals. Through this diverse background, Joshua is able to appreciate the litigation goals of all clients and tailor the litigation strategy to effectively achieve those goals.
Clients rely on Joshua’s deep knowledge of technology and intellectual property law. He has litigated cases in district courts throughout the nation on behalf of both intellectual property owners and accused infringers. He has helped recover over $100 million in damages on behalf of plaintiffs and invalidated numerous patents on behalf of defendants. He has successfully argued before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, obtained damages and attorney fee awards through arbitration, and handled administrative proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Joshua is valued by clients and colleagues alike for consistently strong and effective case strategy, stellar work product, and proven negotiation and advocacy prowess.
Competitive by nature, Joshua thrives under the pressure that fast-paced IP litigation demands. He is totally dedicated to understanding his client’s business and helping them advance in the marketplace. Over the course of his career, Joshua has assisted clients across a range of industries including medical devices and procedures, electronics and semiconductors, software and information technology, construction and home improvement, and sporting goods and recreation. Regardless of the matter at hand, Joshua is appreciated for his ability to analyze the key issues and develop distinct solutions for resolving or winning the case.
Joshua is co-chair of Knobbe’s trade secrets litigation group. He has authored numerous articles and is co-author of a book chapter on patent litigation. He is actively involved in a number of legal organizations including the Association for Business Trial Lawyers and the Intellectual Property Owners Association.