Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP has successfully obtained a stay pending inter partes review (IPR) on behalf of client Smith & Nephew, Inc. from the district court for the Western District of Tennessee. The motion effectively halts litigation in the patent infringement case brought by non-practicing entity, AngelFix LLC, relating to variable angle bone plates and screws for use in orthopedic surgery.
In a strategic move, Knobbe Martens petitioned the United States Patent and Trademark Office for IPR, and on April 8, the Patent Office instituted review of all claims asserted in the litigation. Christy Lea, lead trial and IPR counsel for Smith & Nephew, immediately moved to stay the district court litigation until the Patent Office renders a final decision in the IPR.
Lea, lead litigation partner from Knobbe Martens’ Orange County office stated, “Inter partes review has become an important strategic tool for defendants in patent litigation, and we are pleased to have obtained IPR on all asserted patent claims and to have obtained a stay of the litigation on behalf of our client.”
Lea primarily handles high-stakes patent cases at both the trial and appellate levels. She has represented clients in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries and has practiced extensively in the area of pharmaceutical litigation for well over a decade. Notably, Lea has received numerous national awards recognizing her litigation work in the life sciences field. Knobbe Martens associate Benjamin Anger joined Lea in representing Smith & Nephew.
With over 275 lawyers and scientists nationwide, Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP dedicates its practice to all aspects of intellectual property law including litigation. Consistently ranked among the top intellectual property firms worldwide, Knobbe Martens serves a diverse group of clients from multinational corporations to emerging businesses of all stages. Headquartered in Orange County, California, Knobbe Martens also has offices in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Seattle and Washington, D.C. More information about the firm can be found at www.knobbe.com.
