Ryan B. Hawkins
With a background in computer science, Ryan focuses his practice on patent litigation involving mobile and web-based user interface systems, operating systems, online search engines, mapping interfaces and databases and e-commerce systems.
At the forefront of the mobile phone wars, Ryan Hawkins defended his clients against several of Apple's allegations involving user interface and operating system patents, in the first litigation that went to trial. Ryan continued to represent HTC and others throughout the mobile phone wars, including representing third-party Intel throughout the Apple v. Samsung trial.
Patent Infringement Representation
Beyond his software related experience, Ryan defended Samsung against patent infringement allegations brought by a multi-national electronics manufacturer related to Samsung's television and display technologies. While other defendants had settled with the multi-national electronics manufacturer for hundreds of millions of dollars, Ryan successfully argued a motion for summary judgment of invalidity that was granted on the eve of trial and then affirmed by the Federal Circuit.
Additionally, Ryan has been involved in numerous multi-defendant litigations brought by patent trolls including several related to Microsoft and Google's web-based mapping technologies. In one such case in the Eastern District of Texas, after summary judgment briefing and Daubert challenges, the patent troll plaintiff filed a covenant not to sue and walked away from its allegations for no money.
Nationwide Patent Counsel Experience
In addition to HTC, Intel, Samsung, Microsoft and Google, Ryan has represented companies such as Broadcom, ESPN, McDonald's, Starbucks, Target, Costco and U.S. Bank in a variety of federal courts including the Eastern District of Texas, Northern and Southern Districts of California, Delaware, the ITC, and the Federal Circuit. While the majority of his practice is patent litigation, Ryan's technical experience is often called upon by clients for due diligence, licensing, portfolio analysis and acquisitions.
Ryan has been selected by Super Lawyers as a "Rising Star" for both 2015 and 2016, "Best of the Bar" by the San Diego Business Journal for 2016 and for the Young Attorney Award by the San Diego Daily Transcript in 2011 - 2013. Additionally, Ryan has authored numerous articles and presentations discussing business method and software patents. His analysis of the In re Bilski Supreme Court decision was featured on the cover of Intellectual Property Today.
Active in pro bono matters and the community, he has represented LGBT nonprofit organizations seeking tax-exemption status and is a member of the San Diego LGBT Center's Young Professionals Council. He is a board member of the San Diego American Flag Football League, and has won two national championships with the San Diego Bolts.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of New Hampshire, Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property, J.D., cum laude, Executive Editor, Pierce Law Review, 2007
- Butler University, B.S., Computer Science, with honors, 2003
Bar and Court Admissions
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California
- Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Related Employment
- Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, San Diego, CA, Associate
Professional Recognition
Listed in San Diego Business Journal's, Best of the Bar, 2016
Listed in Super Lawyers Magazine as a "San Diego Rising Star,” 2015-2022
Listed in the San Diego Daily Transcripts “Outstanding Young Attorneys,” 2011-2012
Impact
Community Involvement
- Equality California - San Diego Host Committee
- Human Rights Campaign, Federal Club Member
- The San Diego LGBT Community Center, Leadership Circle Member and Young Professionals Council Member
News
Professional Experience
Experience
NFC Technology LLC v. HTC America, Inc. et al.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Counsel for HTC America in patent litigation related to near field communications.
SyncPoint Imaging, LLC v. Nintendo of America Inc. et al
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Counsel for Nintendo in patent litigation related to optical tracking in computer presentation systems.
Immersion Corp. v. HTC Corporation, et al
International Trade Commission
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
Representing HTC in a case related to software and hardware that provides haptic feedback in mobile devices.
LBS Innovations, LLC v. Aaron Brothers, Inc., et al.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Successfully defended Adams Golf in patent litigation related to online store locators in which the plaintiff dropped all claims and issued a covenant not to sue for no money just weeks before trial was to commence.
LBS Innovations LLC v. BP America Inc., et al.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Counsel for Microsoft, McDonald's, Starbucks, Target, Costco, U.S. Bank and others in patent litigation related to online store locators.
LBS Innovations, LLC v. Sally Beauty Supply LLC, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Counsel for Sally Beauty in patent litigation related to online store locators.
Microsoft Corp. et al v. GeoTag, Inc.
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
Counsel for Microsoft in a one-patent case concerning geographic search engines; pending.
Graphics Properties Holdings Inc. v. HTC Corporation, et al
International Trade Commission
Counsel for HTC concerning four patents involving CPU architecture, floating point rasterization and frame buffering, and large area wide aspect ratio flat panel technologies.
Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Represented 3rd party Intel Corp. in patent and trademark litigation related to mobile phones and tablets.
Ziplink, Inc. v. Microsoft Corp.
U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut
Represented Microsoft in patent litigation related to email filtering and security.
Apple Inc. v. HTC Corporation
International Trade Commission
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
Defended HTC in actions in the International Trade Commission (ITC) and district court alleging infringement of twenty patents relating to operating systems and mobile handsets.
Honeywell v. Apple*
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
Represented Samsung SDI in patent infringement case related to LCD modules. The court granted summary judgment of invalidity due to the on sale bar days before trial was set to begin. The summary judgment decision was affirmed on appeal to the Federal Circuit.
Konami Digital Entertainment Company v. Harmonix Music Systems Inc.*
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Represented Konami in a patent infringement matter in the Eastern District of Texas involving instrument-based video games.
ESPN v. Martin*
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Defended ESPN and Walt Disney against allegations of copyright infringement.
* Prior Experience