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Robert L. Uriarte

Partner

Silicon Valley

Los Angeles

Robert Uriarte is a member of Orrick’s Intellectual Property Business Unit. Robert's practice focuses on software, internet law, and digital crimes.

Robert is a technology litigator and trial lawyer focused on software, security technology, and emerging internet law and digital crimes issues.   Robert has helped establish landmark precedent under the Copyright Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act,  California Penal Code 502, and Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and he has successfully tried multiple cases to verdict, including under the Patent Act.  In addition to litigation work, Robert also counsels companies ranging from market leaders to start-ups on issues related to intellectual property, security, and incident response.  Robert brings a creative, business-oriented approach to helping clients develop, acquire, and protect their most important assets. 

Robert is committed to improving diversity in the legal profession. He co-chaired Orrick's Silicon Valley Diversity Committee for many years and is one of the firm-wide facilitators for Orrick’s Latinx Affinity Group.  Robert is also committed to pro bono work.  He received Orrick's Pro Bono Award in 2019 and the Legal Aid Association of California's 2015 Family Law Pro Bono Award.  Robert currently serves as a member the board of directors for the San Mateo County Legal Aid Society. 

Robert served as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Oliver W. Wanger in the Eastern District of California prior to commencing private practice.

  • Robert's notable engagements include:

    • Carnival Corporation v. DeCurtis Corporation et al.-  Successfully tried to verdict claims for infringement of guest engagement system patent and misappropriation of confidential information and source code; successful defense of antitrust claims and tort counterclaims (summary judgment) 
    • Synopsys, Inc. v. Ubiquiti, Inc et al.-- Prosecution of DCMA and civil RICO claims arising from a complex high-value software piracy scheme perpetrated by a U.S. public company and its foreign subsidiaries. 
    • Oracle America, Inc. v. Google, Inc.-- Prosecution of copyright infringement suit regarding unauthorized copying of Java APIs in Android operating system.
    • Microsoft v. John Does 1-8 Controlling a Computer Botnet -- Obtained a TRO enjoining counterfeiting and violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and Electronic Privacy Communications Act
    • Facebook Inc. v. Power Ventures -- Obtained an injunction enjoining violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, CAN-SPAM Act, and California Penal Code section 502.
    • Boom! Payments v. Stripe Inc.-- Defense of patent litigation involving payment processing claims; patent held ineligible on 35 U.S.C. 101 grounds at pleading phase.
    • Transaction Secure v. GitHub -- Defense of patent claims relating to network authentication protocols.
    • In re: TOA Technologies -- Defense of patent litigation concerning scheduling software; case dismissed after success in the Federal Circuit
    • Micro Motion, Inc. v. Invensys Systems, Inc. -- Petition for certiorari to U.S. Supreme Court concerning patent venue issues
    • Lam Research Corp. v. Jeff Belfor et al -- Successful defense of trade secrets litigation related to rapid prototyping of semiconductor manufacturing components.
    • Rosolowski et al. v. Zoosk, Inc. -- Defense of putative class action alleging violations of California’s anti-spam statute.
    • Hard2Find Accessories v. Amazon.com, Inc. -- Defense of anti-counterfeiting enforcement efforts.

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