Overview

Timothy W. Riffe’s practice emphasizes complex patent litigation in U.S. District Courts and the U.S. International Trade Commission and post-grant proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Tim also advises clients in strategic patent counseling and prosecution. At the ITC, Tim is a first-chair litigator and has led numerous litigations to victory. At the PTAB, Tim has appeared in approximately 150 proceedings for both patent owners and petitioners across a multitude of technology areas. Tim’s extensive litigation and prosecution/counseling experience combined with his post-grant practice allows him to bring a wealth of knowledge across multiple disciplines within the intellectual property field to bear on clients’ behalf.

Tim has received numerous accolades regarding his legal work, including being named to IAM Patent 1000: “The World’s Leading Patent Professionals” for the past five years and being named as a “Top PTAB Practitioner” and recommended for ITC and for patent by IAM. He also has been distinguished as one of Washingtonian magazine’s top lawyers in IP in Washington, D.C.

He has handled technical matters in such diverse fields as oil refining processes, semiconductors, optical networking systems, lithium-ion batteries, medical devices, power generation, and telecommunications.

Tim assists in the management of patent portfolios for a variety of large and small technology clients. Tim’s services include patent portfolio strategy and development, opinions on patent validity and infringement, and patent landscape and freedom to operate (right to practice) studies.

Prior to his legal career, Tim worked as a design and process engineer for Michelin Tire Corp. and DuPont.

Experience

U.S. District Court

MLC Intellectual Property, LLC v. Micron Technology, Inc. (N.D. Cal.): Representing defendant, Micron Technology, Inc., in case involving memory devices.

EMS Technologies, LLC v. Micron Technology, Inc. and IM Flash Technologies, LLC (E.D. Tex.): Representing defendants, Micron and IMFT, in case involving memory devices.

Sling Media, Inc. v. Belkin International, Inc. and Monsoon Multimedia, Inc. (N.D. Cal.): Representing plaintiff, Sling Media, in case involving devices having placeshifting or display replication functionality. Case settled.

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois v. Micron Technology, Inc. (C.D. Ill.): Representing defendant Micron Technology in case involving semiconductor devices. Case stayed pending resolution of inter partes review proceedings.

Mitel Networks Corp. and Mitel (Delaware), Inc. v. Facebook, Inc. (D. Del.): Represented the Mitel plaintiffs in case involving web-based services and products. Case settled.

Virnetx Inc. v. Mitel Networks Corporation, Mitel Networks, Inc. et al. (E.D. Tex.): Represented Mitel defendants in case involving virtual private networks and domain name services. Case settled.

LeRoy G. Hagenbuch v. Komatsu America Corp. (C.D. Ill.): Represented defendant Komatsu America in case involving earth-moving equipment. Case settled.

Innovative Global Systems, LLC v. Komatsu America Corp. et al. (E.D. Tex.): Represented defendant Komatsu America in case involving data communications between heavy duty vehicles and remote terminals. Case settled.

Condatis LLC v. Windrock Inc. (E.D. Tex.): Represented defendant Windrock, Inc., in case involving real-time management of powered vehicles. Case settled.

Microsoft Corporation v. Primax Electronics Ltd. (N.D. Cal.): Represented plaintiff Microsoft in case involving computer peripheral devices.Case settled.

Computer Cache Coherency Corporation v. Intel Corporation (N.D. Cal.): Represented defendant Intel in case involving interface circuits. Obtained summary judgment of non-infringement.

Seagate Technology LLC v. Cornice, Inc. (D. Del.): Represented plaintiff Seagate Technology in case involving technology contained in micro-disc drives. Case settled.

DataTreasury Corp. v. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. et al. (E.D. Tex.): Represented defendant ACS in case involving document imaging and storage systems. Case settled.

Genesis Microchip (Delaware) Inc. v. Media Reality Technologies, Inc., et al. (N.D. Cal.): Represented plaintiff Genesis Microchip in case involving display controller chips. Obtained summary judgment of infringement.

U.S. International Trade Commission, Section 337 proceedings

Certain Electronic Devices Having Placeshifting or Display Replication Functionality and Products Containing Same (Inv. No. 337-TA-878): Represented Complainant Sling Media, Inc., seeking exclusion of placeshifting devices imported by Belkin International, Monsoon Multimedia, and C2 Microsystems.

Certain Flash Memory Chips and Products Containing Same (Inv. No. 337-TA-735): Defended respondent Samsung Electronics against patent infringement claims brought by Spansion LLC seeking exclusion of Samsung’s NAND flash memory chips and downstream products containing those chips manufactured by Samsung and Samsung customers.

Certain Electronic Devices Having Image Capture or Display Functionality and Components Thereof (Inv. No. 337-TA-672): Represented complainant LG Electronics, Inc., in investigation involving digital cameras. Case settled.

Certain Peripheral Devices and Components Thereof and Products Containing the Same (Inv. No. 337-TA-654): Represented complainant Microsoft Corporation in investigation involving computer peripheral devices. Case settled.

Certain Semiconductor Chips with Minimized Chip Package Size and Products Containing Same (III) (Inv. No. 337-TA-630): Represented respondent Ramaxel Technology, Ltd., in investigation involving small-format BGA semiconductor packages and products containing such packages.

Certain Baseband Processor Chips and Chipsets, Transmitter and Receiver (Radio) Chips, Power Control Chips, and Products Containing Same, Including Cellular Telephone Handsets (Inv. No. 337-TA-543): Represented intervenor LG Electronics Mobilecomm USA in investigation involving baseband processor chips, which are components of cellular telephone handsets.

Certain Disc Drives, Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same (Inv. No. 337-TA-516): Represented complainant Seagate Technology, LLC, in investigation involving technology contained in micro-disc drives. After first day of trial, settled favorably after respondent agreed to cease manufacture of accused products.

Certain Display Controllers and Products Containing Same (Inv. No. 337-TA-491): Represented complainant Genesis Microchip in investigation involving digital scaling and multiple display format controller chips. Obtained exclusion order after full hearing on the merits barring all accused products from entry into the U.S.

Certain Display Controllers With Upscaling Functionality and Products Containing Same (Inv. No. 337-TA-481): Represented complainant Genesis Microchip in investigation involving flat panel controller chips. Obtained exclusion order after full hearing on the merits and review by the Commission barring all accused products from entry into the U.S.

Testimonials

"Tim quickly grasps technical concepts and is able to convey arguments to his audience in a way that simply makes sense." — Client Testimonial, 2022 Chambers and Partners USA

Professional associations

  • Advisory Board of The Children's Law Center, Washington, D.C.

    • Pro bono activities

    Has represented a number of clients on a pro bono basis in obtaining guardianship or adoption of children through his work with the Children’s Law Center of Washington, D.C., while also serving on its advisory board.