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Peter F. Snell

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[email protected]

+1.212.692.6850

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Peter is an experienced intellectual property litigator and trial attorney who represents clients in federal courts around the country, including US district courts and the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, as well as before the US International Trade Commission. Peter also represents clients in contested proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He handles patent infringement, validity, and other types of disputes for clients in a variety of sectors, including high technology related to electronics, e-commerce, medical technology, energy & sustainability, and financial services. 

Peter's diverse litigation experience extends both in and out of the courtroom. He has served as both lead and co-counsel in front of juries at trial, advocated for clients at oral arguments and evidentiary hearings before Article III judges, argued on behalf of clients before the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, deposed and defended the depositions of fact and expert witnesses, and managed teams that advance his clients' goals through strategic discovery.

The areas of technology in which Peter has particular experience include communications systems and networking, integrated circuits, semiconductor technology, electronics components, powerline networks, RFID, broadband applications for cable and satellite television systems, and internet applications and e-commerce. Peter has a degree in Electrical Engineering, summa cum laude.

Peter is an experienced intellectual property litigator and trial attorney who represents clients in federal courts around the country, including US district courts and the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, as well as before the US International Trade Commission. Peter also represents clients in contested proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He handles patent infringement, validity, and other types of disputes for clients in a variety of sectors, including high technology related to electronics, e-commerce, medical technology, energy & sustainability, and financial services. 

Experience

Federal District Court

  • Am. Tech. Ceramics Corp. et al. v. Presidio Components, Inc., 2:14-cv-06544-KAM (E.D.N.Y.) - Served as lead counsel on behalf of the plaintiffs in a 10-day jury trial concerning patent infringement, involving passive electronic components, in the Eastern District of New York. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs, finding infringement of both asserted patents. Also represented the patent owner in simultaneous inter partes review (“IPR”) proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”).
  • DDR Holdings, LLC v. Shopify, Inc., 1:17-cv-00498 (D. Del.) – Defended Shopify against allegations of infringing multiple patents. Before filing suit against Shopify, patent owner DDR Holdings obtained the first Federal Circuit decision upholding the patent eligibility of computer-implemented technology after the Supreme Court’s decision in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank Int’l. The Mintz team nevertheless achieved a full dismissal with prejudice of all claims against Shopify in September 2021 after successfully invalidating the asserted patent claims in inter partes review (IPR) proceedings. On appeal from the IPR proceedings, Peter argued on Shopify’s behalf before the Federal Circuit and the Federal Circuit affirmed.
  • Mullen Industries LLC v. Apple Inc., 6:22-cv-00145 (WDTX) and 5:23-cv-00437 (N.D. Cal.) – Served as lead counsel to patent owner in district court litigation against Apple Inc. and 12 related IPR proceedings. Cases settled in October 2023 after more than a year and a half of litigation and the PTAB’s issuance of decisions denying institution of IPRs as to several patents-in-suit. 
  • Koninklijke Philips N.V. and Philips North America LLC (Philips) v. Intel Corporation, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MediaTek and Realtek, 1:20-cv-1240-1243, -1246, -1247 (D. Del.) – Representing Philips as patent owner in district court litigation, and in defending eight IPR petitions filed by TCL Communications and Intel Corporation. The PTAB denied institution to all five petitions filed by TCL and one of the three petitions filed by Intel. The PTAB instituted the remaining two Intel IPRs and ultimately upheld the validity of the subject patent in the PTAB’s Final Written Decisions. On appeal to the Federal Circuit from the IPR proceedings, Peter argued on Philips’ behalf and the Federal Circuit affirmed in February 2024. 
  • Stylitics Inc. v. FindMine Inc., 1:22-cv-02983 (S.D.N.Y.) – Served as lead counsel in defending FindMine Inc. in patent litigation filed by a competitor related to personalized digital outfitting software for online retailers. In February 2023, Mintz filed a motion to dismiss on Alice and Section 101 grounds.  Peter argued the motion before the Magistrate Judge, and thereafter the judge recommended granting the motion to dismiss. The matter then settled in December 2023 pursuant to a confidential settlement agreement.
  • Boom! Payments, Inc. v. Stripe, Inc., et al., 3:19-cv-00590-VC (N.D. Cal.) - Defended an e-commerce company against allegations of infringement of three patents in the Northern District of California. The Court dismissed the action in its entirety following a motion to dismiss for lack of patent-eligible subject matter under the U.S. Supreme Court’s Alice decision. Also represented the defendant on appeal before the Federal Circuit, which affirmed the district court's dismissal, and in simultaneous covered business method review (“CBM”) proceedings before the PTAB. 
  • Wildcat Licensing WI LLC v. General Motors et al., 1:19-cv-00833-MN-JLH, 1:19-cv-00834-MN-JLH, 1:19-cv-00839-MN-JLH, 1:19-cv-00840-MN-JLH, 1:19-cv-00842-MN-JLH, 1:19-cv-00843-MN-JLH, 1:19-cv-00844-MN-JLH, 1:19-cv-00845-MN-JLH, 1:19-cv-00846-MN-JLH (D. Del.) - Representing an owner of patents directed to assembly and fastening technologies against automotive manufacturers and suppliers in the District of Delaware. Also representing the patent owner in simultaneous IPR proceedings before the PTAB. 
  • Coretek Licensing, LLC v. Preply, Inc., 1-21-cv-01657 (D. Del.) - Represented defendant against allegations of patent infringement concerning methods of enabling a network connection. Obtained dismissal of the complaint on behalf of our client within a few months of the complaint’s filing.
  • Gamehancement LLC v. Verimatrix, Inc., 1:24-cv-00221 (D. Del.) - Defended a cybersecurity company in obtaining early dismissal of patent infringement claims related to multi-layer copy protection schemes.
  • Presidio Components, Inc. v. Am. Tech. Ceramics Corp., 3:14-cv-02061-H-BGS (S.D. Cal.) - Defended an electrical components manufacturer in a patent infringement action in the Southern District of California and before the Federal Circuit. Also represented the defendant in simultaneous ex parte reexamination proceedings before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (“PTO”). 
  • Canon Inc. v. Avigilon USA Corp. et al., (N.D. Tex., 3:18-cv-01317-K) - Defended a provider of networked video surveillance cameras, control devices, and associated software in a patent infringement action in the Northern District of Texas. Also represented the defendant in simultaneous IPR proceedings before the PTAB. 
  • Axcess Int’l Inc. v. Savi Tech. Inc., 3:10-cv-1033-K (N.D. Tex.) - Defended an electronics manufacturer in a patent infringement action, involving RFID systems, in the Northern District of Texas and in simultaneous ex parte reexamination proceedings before the PTO. The Court dismissed the district court action after the PTO held the patent invalid.
  • Connectsoft, Inc. v. NEEO, Inc., 2:16-cv-00548-JRG (E.D. Tex.) - Represented the defendant in a patent infringement lawsuit in the Eastern District of Texas relating to radio frequency technology. The case was dismissed after the parties entered into a settlement agreement. 
  • Rentrop v. Spectranetics Corp., 04-cv-0101-PKC (S.D.N.Y.) - Represented owner and inventor of patents concerning excimer laser catheters in a patent infringement action in the Southern District of New York.

International Trade Commission

  • Certain Integrated Circuits, Mobile Devices Containing the Same, and Components Thereof (337-TA-1335) - Represented Daedalus Prime against Samsung Electronics and Qualcomm Corporation in ITC investigation involving four patents related to power management techniques in computer processors. The case against Samsung was dismissed following a confidential license and settlement agreement. Evidentiary hearing involving the remaining parties was held in August 2023 and ultimately settled before a final decision on the merits.
  • Certain Semiconductor Devices, Products Containing the Same, and Components Thereof (337-TA-1177) - Represented the complainant GlobalFoundries before the International Trade Commission (“ITC”) in an investigation involving infringement of four patents related to semiconductor devices, integrated circuits, and products containing the same.
  • Certain Digital Media Devices, Including Televisions, Blu-Ray Disc Players, Home Theater Systems, Tablets and Mobile Phones, Components Thereof and Associated Software (337-TA-882) - Represented an owner of GPS and media sharing patents before the ITC.
  • Certain Communications or Computing Devices and Components Thereof (337-TA-925) - Represented the owner of a portfolio of communications and computing patents from the former enterprise communications business unit of a large multinational company, Enterprise System Technologies, S.A.R.L. An ITC investigation was instituted as to respondent entities Apple, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and HTC Corporation. Google participated as an intervenor. The investigation resolved prior to the evidentiary hearing.
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viewpoints

Six months later, and more than 2.5 years after service of the complaint on Activision, Bungie filed IPRs challenging Worlds’ patents.
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Federal Circuit Clarifies Venue Requirement Post-TC Heartland by Granting Mandamus Relief in In re Cray

September 25, 2017 | Blog | By Peter Snell, Daniel Weinger, Anthony Faillaci

Late last week, the Federal Circuit granted a writ of mandamus in In re Cray, 2017-129 (Fed. Cir. Sept. 21, 2017), overturning Judge Gilstrap’s four-factor test for determining whether a defendant possesses “a regular and established place of business” in a district such that the defendant could be sued for patent infringement in that district.
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What is Intellectual Property, and Why is it Important?

March 23, 2016 | Article | By Peter Snell

IP 101: This deck gives entrepreneurs the “need-to-know” information about trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets.
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A "Solution" In Search of a Problem?

March 13, 2015 | Blog | By Michael Renaud, Peter Snell, Robert Moore

The Innovation Act introduced in the House on February 5, 2015 is designed to curb patent abuse, but as currently drafted it doesn't address the worst forms of the problem.
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On February 5, 2015, Rep. Robert Goodlatte (R-VA) introduced H.R. 9, entitled the “Innovation Act.”
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Carnegie Mellon University v. Marvell: $1.5 Billion at Stake at the Federal Circuit

January 13, 2015 | Advisory | By Michael Renaud, Peter Snell

Currently on appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is Carnegie Mellon University’s (“CMU”) $1.535 billion judgment for patent infringement against Marvell Technology Group Ltd. and Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. (collectively “Marvell”), which is one of the largest damages awards for patent infringement in history.
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Questions Remain in US - Is Software Patentable?

May 18, 2013 | Blog | By Rich Gervase, Peter Snell

After an en banc hearing at the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC), questions remain about the patent eligibility of software under US Patent and Trademark Office rules (specifically, § 101). 
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Patent Eligibility of Software Innovations After CLS Bank

May 17, 2013 | Advisory | By Rich Gervase, Peter Snell

The en banc Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently could not agree on the proper approach for determining whether software-based inventions constitute patent eligible subject matter under § 101 of the patent statute or whether they fall within the judicially-created “abstract ideas” exception to patent eligibility as it has evolved under existing Supreme Court precedent.
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News & Press

News Thumbnail
Mintz Member Peter Snell was quoted in a Law360 article on the mandamus petition from Monolithic Power Systems seeking to dismiss a patent case against the chipmaker brought by energy company Bel Fuse for improper venue.
Fourteen Mintz attorneys have been named New York Super Lawyers for 2017 and thirteen have been named New York Rising Stars. New York Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers with the highest degree of peer recognition and professional achievements.  
Sixteen Mintz attorneys have been named New York Super Lawyers for 2016 and twelve have been named New York Rising Stars. The list will be published in a special advertising supplement in The New York Times Magazine and in a stand-alone magazine, New York Super Lawyers - Metro Edition.
Thirteen attorneys from Mintz have been named New York Super Lawyers for 2014 and eleven have been named New York Rising Stars. The list will be published in a special advertising supplement in The New York Times Magazine and in a stand-alone magazine, New York Super Lawyers - Metro Edition.
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Events & Speaking

Moderator
Sep
18
2019

The 2nd Annual LF Dealmakers Forum

The Apella, 450 East 29th Street, 2nd Floor, New York

Panelist
Sep
18
2018

2018 LF Dealmakers Forum

The IP Investment Institute, LLC

450 East 29th Street, 2nd Floor New York, NY

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Peter is an experienced intellectual property litigator and trial attorney who represents clients in federal courts around the country, including US district courts and the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, as well as before the US International Trade Commission. Peter also represents clients in contested proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He handles patent infringement, validity, and other types of disputes for clients in a variety of sectors, including high technology related to electronics, e-commerce, medical technology, energy & sustainability, and financial services. 

Recognition & Awards

  • Included on the New York Super Lawyers: Rising Star – Intellectual Property list (2012 – 2019)

  • Tau Beta Pi

  • Eta Kappa Nu

  • Golden Key Honors Society

  • Ranked by Patexia among the Most Active ITC Attorneys Representing Complainants (2023)

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Peter is an experienced intellectual property litigator and trial attorney who represents clients in federal courts around the country, including US district courts and the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, as well as before the US International Trade Commission. Peter also represents clients in contested proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He handles patent infringement, validity, and other types of disputes for clients in a variety of sectors, including high technology related to electronics, e-commerce, medical technology, energy & sustainability, and financial services. 

Involvement

  • Member, New York Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Member, International Trade Commission Trial Lawyers Association
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