Richmond Partner Wins Rare Jury Verdict for Twitter
Richmond, Va. – Troutman Sanders partner Robert Angle and attorneys from Keker & Van Nest today convinced a federal jury in Norfolk, Va., to find Twitter, Inc. not liable for patent infringement in a suit brought by VS Technologies, LLC.
VS Technologies was formed by intellectual property lawyer Dinesh Agarwal, who obtained a patent in 2002 for “an interactive virtual community of famous people.” He sought $40 million in damages from Twitter, the world’s largest social networking and microblogging site.
During the six-day trial, Twitter’s trial team successfully argued that its Browse Interests feature did not infringe the terms of the patent and that in fact the patent was invalid.
“We are gratified that a jury has agreed that this suit had no merit,” said Twitter spokesperson Sean Garrett. “Twitter strongly supports legal reforms that would limit baseless claims such as this one. While, we would prefer to compete on the Internet rather than the courtroom, we will continue to vigorously defend groundless patent lawsuits filed against us.”
Twitter was represented at trial by Angle, who is the head of litigation for Troutman Sanders' Virginia offices, and Elliot Peters and David Silbert of Keker & Van Nest in San Francisco.
“Notwithstanding the advantages that the speed of the Eastern District of Virginia gives to plaintiffs, which allowed VS Technologies to get its case before a jury within 10 months, this verdict shows that accused infringers can be successful in this district,” said Angle. “If defendants are prepared and committed to the defense, as Twitter was here, they can level the playing field and prevail.”
At Troutman Sanders, Angle is co-Leader of the firm’s Electronic Discovery and Data Management Practice Team and a member of the firm's Intellectual Property, Antitrust and Business Litigation practice groups. Prior to joining Troutman Sanders, he clerked for the Honorable James C. Cacheris, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Angle is an experienced member of the bar of the Eastern District of Virginia, regularly represents litigants in that forum, and has published articles and made presentations about litigating in Virginia’s “Rocket Docket."
About Keker & Van Nest:
Based in San Francisco, the 60 trial and litigation attorneys of Keker & Van Nest LLP devote their practice exclusively to complex civil and criminal litigation. The attorneys’ expertise encompass a wide range of substantive areas, including intellectual property, professional liability, class actions, general contract and commercial litigation, employment and white collar crime. For more information about Keker & Van Nest, its attorneys, and its services, visit www.kvn.com.
About Troutman Sanders
With a diverse practice mix, workforce and footprint, Troutman Sanders has cultivated its reputation for a higher commitment to client care for over 120 years. Ideally positioned to help clients across sectors realize their business
goals, the firm’s 650 attorneys transact for growth, resolve mission-threatening disputes and navigate complex legal and regulatory challenges. See
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