Ryan’s practice focuses on complex, high-stakes patent litigation in connection with computer and mobile device software and hardware, automotive systems, and other technologies, as well as IP counseling and transactions.

Ryan has more than 10 years of experience representing multinational corporations in the automotive and electronics industries, startup and technology companies, and patent licensing entities, as both plaintiffs and defendants, in Federal district courts (District of Delaware, Eastern District of Texas, Central District of California, Southern District of California, Eastern District of Michigan, Northern District of Illinois), the US International Trade Commission (ITC), and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  He has litigated and advised clients with respect to a wide range of technologies, including electronic licensing and digital rights management systems; mobile devices and device integration software; operating system and application software; virtual reality and video game software; relational databases and database integration software; video analytics software; wireless networking standards and protocols; microprocessor design; navigation, mapping, and GPS systems and software; vehicle control and maintenance systems; hybrid vehicles; LED and solid-state lighting; solar-powered agricultural greenhouse systems; metal alloy coatings and electrical connectors; energy-efficient reflective roof coatings; and prenatal vitamin supplements. 

Ryan applies his technical background in computer science and electrical/mechanical engineering technologies, prior professional experience designing and developing software, and lifelong passion for figuring out how things work to analyze patents, prior art, and products, and communicate directly and fluently with programmers, engineers, and technical experts.  His hands-on understanding of technology, and experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in more than 30 litigations asserting patent infringement and related intellectual property, antitrust, tort, and contract claims, enables him to identify and implement fact-driven litigation strategies, and make creative and winning arguments for clients.

In addition to his litigation practice, Ryan also analyzes portfolios of patents and other intellectual property rights for clients in order to develop an IP strategy, evaluate potential licensing/litigation, and conduct freedom-to-operate analyses. He also advises clients on transaction-related matters, including on licenses, assignments, and other agreements conveying IP rights.

Prior to attending law school, Ryan held a variety of engineering and management positions at early- and middle-stage startup software companies, developing internet, electronic commerce, and enterprise software applications.

Representative Experience

• Represented Volkswagen and Audi in a patent infringement action brought by West View Research, LLC in the Southern District of California, and subsequent appeal to the Federal Circuit, relating to vehicle computing, networking, and mobile-device integration technology. Obtained judgment on the pleadings and affirmance on appeal that the asserted patents are invalid as describing unpatentable subject matter.
• Represented Volkswagen and Audi in a patent infringement action brought by MHL Tek in the Eastern District of Texas, and subsequent appeal to the Federal Circuit, relating to vehicle tire pressure monitoring system technology. Obtained dismissal for lack of standing of claims as to two asserted patents, summary judgment of non-infringement of third asserted patent, and ruling on appeal that plaintiff lacked standing as to all three asserted patents.
• Represented Princeton Digital Image Corporation in a patent infringement action brought against Harmonix Music Systems, Konami Digital Entertainment, and Electronic Arts in the District of Delaware, relating to virtual reality and video game software. Obtained favorable claim-construction, non-invalidity, and discovery rulings and settlements, despite 20 of 23 patent claims previously having been found invalid.
• Represented Volkswagen in a patent infringement action brought by Service Reminder LLC in the in the Eastern District of Michigan, and subsequent appeal to the Federal Circuit, relating to vehicle maintenance system technology. Obtained summary judgment of invalidity of the asserted patent and dismissal of appeal.

• Represented Bosch Security Systems in a patent infringement action brought by Criminal Activity Surveillance, LLC in the Eastern District of Texas, related to video analytics software technology. Obtained dismissal for lack of standing.
• Represented Volkswagen and Bentley Motors in a patent infringement action brought by Signal IP in the Central District of California, relating to vehicle safety system, hybrid vehicle, and airbag control technology. Obtained dismissal of willful infringement claims and rulings that asserted hybrid vehicle and airbag system patent claims are invalid as indefinite.
• Represented Volkswagen in a patent infringement action brought by DataTern in the Eastern District of Texas, related to relational database integration technology. Obtained stay pending declaratory judgment actions brought by developers of the accused software, and subsequent dismissal for failure to prosecute.
• Represented Volkswagen, Audi, and Bentley Motors in patent infringement actions brought by Beacon Navigation, Cruise Control Technologies, Joao Control & Monitoring Systems, and Eclipse IP in the District of Delaware or Central District of California, related to vehicle cruise control, navigation, and/or mobile-device integration technology. Obtained transfers to the Eastern District of Michigan and stays, resulting in cancelation of asserted patent claims in co-pending USPTO proceedings.
• Represented Volkswagen and Audi in a patent infringement action brought by Paice LLC and the Abell Foundation before the US International Trade Commission, relating to hybrid vehicle technology.
• Represented Robert Bosch in en banc appeal of a patent infringement action brought against Pylon Manufacturing Corp. deciding question of appellate jurisdiction in the Federal Circuit.
• Represented Volkswagen in a patent infringement action brought by Norman IP Holdings in the Eastern District of Texas, relating to vehicle microprocessor and wireless networking technologies.
• Represented pro bono client suffering from psychiatric disorders in obtaining reversal of agency decision denying social security disability benefits.

Bar Admissions

Education
JD, Fordham University School of Law, 2007BA, Computer Science, Dartmouth College, 2000