Anand K. Sharma

Partner

Anand Sharma leads the firm’s mechanical practice group. He has experience in all aspects of patent law, with a particular emphasis on U.S. district court and U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) Section 337 litigations, as well as strategic client counseling. His practice has covered many technology areas, including smartphones, medical devices, neurosurgery navigation systems, locomotives, engine after-treatment systems, multi-wire cable fabrication, polymer films, grain-oriented electrical steel manufacturing, semiconductor probe card assemblies, DRAM, well-site drilling equipment, and consumer appliances and electronics.

Mr. Sharma has extensive experience with managing the day-to-day operation of patent litigations and in developing and implementing patent litigation strategies. He has considerable experience in trial practice, including directing and cross-examining dozens of witnesses in jury and bench trials, taking and defending depositions, preparing and arguing discovery, Markman and summary judgment motions, and participating in settlement and mediation negotiations. Mr. Sharma has drafted numerous patentability, validity, and infringement opinions; as well as patent applications. In addition, he counsels clients on strategic patent planning in areas such as patent procurement, licensing, and pre-litigation considerations.

A frequent lecturer on patent-related matters, Mr. Sharma has lectured at conferences sponsored by various industry and legal associations, including the National Bar Association, the Confederation of Indian Industry, and the National Association of Software and Service Companies. He has authored articles on IP topics related to India and has often been quoted in Law360. Mr. Sharma serves as an adjunct professor at Howard University, teaching patent law at the College of Engineering and at the Law School. He previously served as chair of Finnegan's Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Prior to entering the legal profession, Mr. Sharma worked as a spacecraft engineer at National Aeronautics and Space Administration “NASA” Goddard Space Flight Center.

Highlights

• Kaneka Corp. v. SKPI et al. (C.D. Cal.). Defends SKPI against charges of patent infringement on its polyimide films. 
• Ruyan Investment Ltd. v. Sottera, Inc. (C.D. Cal.). Defends Sottera against charges of patent infringement on its electronic cigarettes. 
• LG Electronics v. Asko et al. (D. Del.). Represents LG Electronics in enforcing its patent rights against infringing front-load washing machines. 
• HTC Corp. v. Apple, Inc. (D. Del.). Represented HTC in enforcing its patent rights against infringing iPhones, iPads, and iPods.
• Polyimide Films, Products Containing Same, and Related Methods, 337-TA-772 (ITC). Defended SKPI in an investigation involving importation of polyimide films.
• Portable Electronic Devices and Related Software, 337-TA-721 (ITC). Represented HTC Corp. in an investigation involving importation of Apple’s iPhones, iPods, and iPads.
• LG Electronics v. Whirlpool Corp. (D. Del.). Represented LG Electronics in enforcing its patents rights against infringing refrigerators.
• Bulk Welding Wire Containers and Welding Wire, 337-TA-686 (ITC). Defended Hyundai Welding Company and Hyundai Welding Products, USA in an investigation involving importation of welding wire drums.
• Certain Refrigerators and Components Thereof, 337-TA-632 (ITC). Defended LG Electronics against charges of patent infringement on its refrigerators.
• Certain Probe Card Assemblies and Certain Tested DRAM and NAND Flash Memory Devices, 337-TA-621 (ITC). Defended Phicom Corp. against charges of patent infringement on its probe card assemblies.
• Whirlpool Corp. v. LG Electronics (W.D. Mich.); Maytag Corp. v LG Electronics (D. Iowa); Fisher Paykel v. LG Electronics (N.D. Ill.). Defended LG Electronics against charges of patent infringement on its high-performance washers and dryers in the W.D. Michigan, D. Iowa, and N.D. Illinois

Professional Activities

• American Intellectual Property Law Association (Sections on International and Foreign Law and IP Practice in India)
• National Bar Association (Section on Intellectual Property)
• North American South Asian Bar Association (Section on Intellectual Property; editor-in-chief of the NASABA IP Newsletter, 2010)

Select Publications

• Coauthor. "Navigating the New U.S. Patent Filing System," Manupatra Intellectual Property Reports, Dec. 2011.
• Coauthor. "USA, India Eagerly Awaiting U.S. Supreme Court's Decision on Software and Business Method Patents," Business Times, Nov. 2009.
• Coauthor. "U.S. Patent Litigation: A Primer for Indian Companies," Halsbury's Law, Sept. 2008.
• Coauthor. "Destination: India," Drug Discovery & Development, Aug. 6, 2007.
• Coauthor. "Outsourcing R&D to India: Pitfalls to Avoid," Patent Strategy & Management, Oct. 2006.
• Coauthor. "Make Sure to Enlist Legal Help When Outsourcing," IndUS Business Journal, Oct. 2006.