Trial Win for Zynga Earns Litigators of the Week Recognition

1 minute read | October.27.2023

American Lawyer recognized our IP litigation team in its Litigator of the Week feature for a complete trial win for Zynga in a patent trial in the Western District of Texas. The team earned runner-up honors for the outcome.
A jury on Oct. 20 sided with Zynga in a patent case brought by IGT, which alleged Zynga’s popular “Game of Thrones,” “Hit it Rich” and “Black Diamond Casino” games infringed its patent on mobile gaming technology.
The jury found the patent did not infringe, and that the patent was invalid based on obviousness.
IGT initially sued two years ago over six patents, but our team successfully removed five of the patents from the litigation prior to trial.

The Orrick trial team included partners Clem Roberts, Alyssa Caridis, Bas de Blank and Will Stute, and associates Sarah Mullins and Will Melehani.

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Clement Seth Roberts Partner, Geistiges Eigentum, Patents

San Francisco

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D:+1 415 773 5700
E: [email protected]

Practice:

Geistiges Eigentum
Patents
Trade Secrets Litigation
Komplexe Streitfälle & Streitbeilegung

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Clement Seth Roberts Partner

San Francisco

Clem has been recognized in a variety of publications, including the Daily Journal’s list of California’s top 75 IP Litigators in California. In the latest Chambers USA rankings, clients note he is a “very persuasive advocate who knows the law inside out and is able to get to the heart of the issue very quickly." Managing Intellectual Property described him as a “highly respected litigator in the California IP market and beyond.” Intellectual Asset Management’s Patent 1000 notes he is a “commercially savvy first-chair trial lawyer,” a “tenacious, pragmatic litigator who excels at finding innovative solutions,” “one of the best writers anywhere” and a “fantastic negotiator.”

Clem’s current clients include Sonos, Zynga, RingCentral, Checkpoint, HCW, Roblox and Zendrive.

Clem graduated with honors from both Harvard Law School and from Harvard College. He lives in Marin and spends his free time cycling around Mt. Tam.

Alyssa Caridis Partner, Geistiges Eigentum

Los Angeles; Santa Monica

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D:+1 213 612 2372
E: [email protected]

Practice:

Geistiges Eigentum

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Alyssa Caridis Partner

Los Angeles; Santa Monica

Alyssa handles complex patent and copyright litigation, open source licensing and IP counseling. She has represented companies in all stages of litigation — from pre-suit investigation, through trial, and on to appeals courts. She draws upon her engineering degree from Harvey Mudd College to engage with technical professionals and quickly grasp new technologies. Alyssa has represented clients in connection with a broad spectrum of technologies, ranging from CMOS image sensors and communication systems to software and peripheral computer components to projects in both the aerospace and automotive industries.

Alyssa has received top market recognition by both Bloomberg Law and Daily Journal’s 40 Under 40 List of Rising Stars in 2022. The Daily Journal also recognized Alyssa as one of its Top Women Lawyers in California for the first time in 2023.

The American Lawyer has recently recognized Alyssa and her team for the following exceptional work:

On behalf of Sonos, Orrick was recognized for securing a summary judgment on a key patent claim in the federal court case against Google.
Also for Sonos, our team secured a win in a patent infringement jury trial against Google. Jurors found that Google smart speakers and media players infringed one of the two patents Sonos was asserting at trial and awarded the company a $2.30 royalty on more than 14 million units for a total of more than $32.5 million in damages.
Orrick defended Zynga in patent ligation brought by gambling technology company IGT. In what was initially a six-patent case that was whittled down pre-trial, jurors in Austin, Texas found that Zynga’s casino slot games, including Game of Thrones and Hit it Rich, didn’t infringe IGT’s last patent standing. What’s more, jurors found IGT’s patent was invalid due to obviousness.

Alyssa calls Southern California home, but remains loyal to the sports teams of her Bay Area childhood.

Bas de Blank Partner, Geistiges Eigentum, U.S. International Trade Commission

Silicon Valley

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D:+1 650 614 7343
E: [email protected]

Practice:

Technology & Innovation Sector
Geistiges Eigentum
U.S. International Trade Commission
Patents
IP Beratung & Due Diligence
Trade Secrets Litigation

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Bas de Blank Partner

Silicon Valley

In addition to his ITC practice, Bas also heads Orrick’s contentious prosecution practice. He has led more than 30 IPRs and first-chaired more than a dozen trials before the United States Patent Office, as well as represented clients in dozens of trials in district courts, and before PTAB.

As someone with degrees in both engineering and English literature, Bas is uniquely suited to present complicated topics to non-technical audiences. He has represented clients in fields as diverse as semiconductor processing and structure, GPS and geosynchronous satellites, image texture and graphics processing, Internet switches and communications, and various consumer products.

Will Stute Partner, Komplexe Streitfälle & Streitbeilegung, Sports Law

Washington, D.C.

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D:+1 202 339 8580
E: [email protected]

Practice:

Komplexe Streitfälle & Streitbeilegung
Sports Law

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Will Stute Partner

Washington, D.C.

In the span of less than 10 months across 2022 and 2023, he won three separate high-profile jury trials for the NCAA – including the first to take on claims the NCAA is responsible for concussions and CTE in college football. This victory was recognized as the Courtroom View Network’s Most Impressive Defense Verdict of 2022, American Lawyer Litigator of the Week and the Daily Journal’s Defense Verdict of the Year.

Will’s versatility, strategic acumen and ability to think on his feet separate him as a trial lawyer. He is highly skilled at developing strategy, telling his client’s story and connecting with juries – and he has done it for clients across the tech, finance and life sciences sectors on claims ranging from mass torts, personal injury and False Claims Act cases to antitrust, securities fraud and RMBS litigation. Will tries cases when others fold, settles cases on the most favorable terms, and earns praise from clients for his confident and steady leadership throughout the battle.

A champion of teamwork and inclusion, Will brings a diverse team of top talent to every engagement. He is active in his community and is proud to represent a civil rights organization pro bono in litigation seeking to end discriminatory housing practices in Minnesota.

Will’s passion for obtaining the best possible results for clients is eclipsed only by his commitment to family and his four sons.