Ryan K. Yagura

Preparation is one of the keys to success, according to Ryan Yagura, an intellectual property litigator and partner at O’Melveny & Myers LLP.

Dazzling oral argument and punchy briefs are just a start,” Yagura wrote in a statement. “Wins are also rooted in solid preparation, and that’s what we did in each of these cases.”

Yagura led Samsung’s defense in an investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission against claims filed by Solas OLED Ltd., a purported owner of television technology patents. Certain Active Matrix OLED Display Devices and Components Thereof (337-TA- 1243. Filed Dec. 28, 2020).

“We took the Samsung case all the way to trial, and as the case moved forward, it was crystal clear that our client was on the right side of the facts and the law–we were going to win,” Yagura wrote. “The complainant saw the writing on the wall, and instead of suffering a loss, they settled the case the day before the ITC’s decision was due.”

Yagura is also lead counsel for Samsung and other companies in similar patent infringement lawsuits Solas filed in Eastern and Western districts of Texas, favored venues for plaintiff lawyers in patent litigation. All of the cases involve organic light emitting diodes, or OLED, technology. See e.g. Solas OLED Ltd. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al (E.D. Tex. 2:21-cv-00105- JRG-RSP. Filed March 22, 2021).

In addition to the Samsung cases Yagura is lead counsel in patent cases for Hyundai. He is defending the automobile manufacturer in a case that alleges its vehicle communication and entertainment systems with head unit consoles infringe seven patents. The case was originally filed in the Western District of Texas before U.S. District Court Judge Alan Albright, who has been criticized for refusing to transfer cases with tenuous ties to the Western District to other venues.

“On March 9, we secured a rare Federal Circuit Court win on a mandamus petition that ruled that venue is not proper over a car company solely as a result of its dealership in a particular venue,” Yagura said. “When we succeeded with our appellate motion to transfer the case to California, we established a far-reaching precedent in the patent litigation community.” Stratosaudio, Inc. v. Hyundai Motor America (C.D. Cal. 2:22- cv-01712. Originally filed in Texas December 11, 2020).

– Douglas Saunders