John B. Sganga Jr.

Knobbe Martens

Irvine

Patent litigation

A litigator for more than 30 years, Sganga handles intellectual property and technology disputes on the plaintiff and defense side, including a recent plaintiff's win for California hamburger icon In-n-Out Burgers in a trademark infringement case against Puma North America Inc.

Sganga secured a confidential settlement from Puma over shoes that resembled In-N-Out's patented trademarks, including palm trees and the red and yellow logo. Puma settled shortly after Sganga's team sued, and Sganga moved to dismiss the case in June 2019, three months after it was filed. In-n-Out Burgers v. Puma North America Inc., 19-CV00413 (C.D. Cal., filed March 1, 2019).

"We thought we had a strong case, and we're happy we were able to settle it without filing for a preliminary injunction," Sganga said.

On the defense side, Sganga in 2018 persuaded U.S. District Judge James V. Selna in the Central District of California to grant a motion for summary judgment that stated his client, dental implant manufacturer Nobel Biocare USA LLC, hadn't infringed patents registered to Spitz Technologies Corp.

Selna also rejected Spitz's motions for summary judgment and for sanctions against Nobel over alleged discovery failures. Spitz Technologies Corp. v. Nobel Biocare USA LLC, 17-CV00660 (C.D. Cal., filed April 11, 2017).

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in July 2019 upheld Selna's decision, including approximately $500,000 in attorney fees for Nobel.

One of Sganga's other major clients is Edwards Lifesciences Corp. He's defending the medical device company in several litigations and IPR proceedings against rival Boston Scientific Corp., concerning technology to replace narrowed aortic valves. Boston Scientific Corporation et al. v. Edwards Lifesciences Corp., 16-CV00730 (C.D. Cal., filed April 19, 2016)., IPR2017-00444 (PTAB).

Sganga's team is also suing Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., for patent infringement related to Edwards Lifesciences Corp.'s technology involving the heart's mitral valve. Edwards Lifesciences Corp. v. Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., 19-CV00345 (C.D. Cal., filed Feb. 22, 2019).

"It is fun to have diverse cases, and it's also fun to do work with some of these companies that really do have medical technology that improves lives and saves lives," Sganga said. "It's impressive to see how much the device makers can make a difference. I always say I'm honored to represent them and work for them, and I'm happy I'm not a customer and not suffering from the ailments they're currently helping alleviate."

-- Meghann M. Cuniff