Dr. Allison litigates technically complex patent, copyright, and trade secret disputes before the federal district courts, the International Trade Commission, and appellate courts. He also counsels clients on patent licensing negotiations, infringement allegations, and patent portfolio analysis. He holds a Ph.D. in solid state physics and uses his insights to translates complex technology to understandable terms to achieve results for clients in the courtroom and around the negotiating table.
Education & Credentials
Education
University of Michigan Law School
J.D.Rice University
B.A., PhysicsUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ph.D., PhysicsBar Admission
Acknowledgements
- IAM Patent 1000
- Litigation: Bronze 2024
- Best Lawyers in America®
- Technology Law, 2010-2025
- Technology Law, 2010-2025
- Northern California Super Lawyers®
- Intellectual Property Litigation, Intellectual Property, 2018-2019
- Intellectual Property Litigation, Intellectual Property, 2018-2019
- Managing Intellectual Property
- IP Stars, 2024
- Patent
Prominent Assignments
Represented Spotify in patent litigation involving peer-to-peer music sharing. Nonend v. Spotify (D. Del.).
Represented patent owner in worldwide patent infringement litigation related to cellular network infrastructure in the United States, Holland, Germany, and Japan. High Point Sarl v. Sprint (E.D. Va., D. Kan., Federal Patent Court in Munich, District Court of the Hague, Tokyo District Court).
Represented computer manufacturer in multi-district patent litigation involving computer architecture, I/O systems, device drivers, and power management. Acer v. HP (W.D. Wis., N.D. Cal.); Certain Computer Systems, Printers and Scanners (International Trade Commission Inv. No. 337-TA-618).
Represented Synopsys in patent litigation involving electronic design automation (EDA) software. Synopsys v. Magma (D. Del.).
Represented VLSI Technology in identifying, evaluating, and acquiring large patent portfolio from major semiconductor manufacturer.
Lead outside counsel for Marvell Semiconductor in patent licensing negotiations with a major semiconductor manufacturer involving integrated circuit technology.
Technical lead for major Japanese consumer electronics company in patent licensing negotiations with Texas Instruments involving semiconductor fabrication and integrated circuit technology.
Lead outside counsel for major Japanese consumer electronics company in patent licensing negotiations with large patent licensing entity involving wireless technology; obtained favorable settlement days before licensing entity filed suit against all other players in industry.
Represented Illumina in patent litigation involving genomics/gene sequencing. Applera v. Illumina (S.D. Cal.).
Represented Intel in patent litigation involving integrated circuit BIOS technology. Intel v. Via Technologies (N.D. Cal.).
Represented ablation catheter startup in case involving trade secret misappropriation by former employees who started a competing company. EPTechnologies v. Savage Thompson Management (Santa Clara County Superior Court).
Represented patent owner in worldwide patent infringement litigation related to cellular network infrastructure in the United States, Holland, Germany, and Japan. High Point Sarl v. Sprint (E.D. Va., D. Kan., Federal Patent Court in Munich, District Court of the Hague, Tokyo District Court).
Represented computer manufacturer in multi-district patent litigation involving computer architecture, I/O systems, device drivers, and power management. Acer v. HP (W.D. Wis., N.D. Cal.); Certain Computer Systems, Printers and Scanners (International Trade Commission Inv. No. 337-TA-618).
Represented Synopsys in patent litigation involving electronic design automation (EDA) software. Synopsys v. Magma (D. Del.).
Represented VLSI Technology in identifying, evaluating, and acquiring large patent portfolio from major semiconductor manufacturer.
Lead outside counsel for Marvell Semiconductor in patent licensing negotiations with a major semiconductor manufacturer involving integrated circuit technology.
Technical lead for major Japanese consumer electronics company in patent licensing negotiations with Texas Instruments involving semiconductor fabrication and integrated circuit technology.
Lead outside counsel for major Japanese consumer electronics company in patent licensing negotiations with large patent licensing entity involving wireless technology; obtained favorable settlement days before licensing entity filed suit against all other players in industry.
Represented Illumina in patent litigation involving genomics/gene sequencing. Applera v. Illumina (S.D. Cal.).
Represented Intel in patent litigation involving integrated circuit BIOS technology. Intel v. Via Technologies (N.D. Cal.).
Represented ablation catheter startup in case involving trade secret misappropriation by former employees who started a competing company. EPTechnologies v. Savage Thompson Management (Santa Clara County Superior Court).
Professional Involvement
- Member, American Bar Association
Community Involvement
- Board Member, Silicon Valley Campaign for Legal Services
- Board Member, Bethany Lutheran Church, Menlo Park, CA