A&O's U.S. IP team secures appeal victory for cybersecurity technology on behalf of Unified Patents

The Federal Circuit panel, comprised of three judges, issued judgement on Friday, April 7, to uphold a 2021 Patent Trial and Appeal Board decision to invalidate Longhorn’s intrusion detection system patent, citing that the patent was rendered obvious by prior art, specifically U.S. Patent No. 7,260,846. The panel awarded Unified Patents with a Rule 36 summary affirmance, as well as costs.

“Allen & Overy is committed to ensuring that our client’s mission to prevent unproven and illegitimate patent claims continues to succeed,” said David Tennant, partner in A&O’s Intellectual Property practice. “This victory is a testament to our experienced IP technology disputes team, and we look forward to continuing to grow our IP practice and supporting our clients in more high stakes technology cases that protect the technology sector against invalid patents.”

A&O associate Megan Ines successfully led the oral argument in the appellate court. This victory comes from Allen & Overy’s IP group out of Washington, D.C. led by partners David Tennant, Shamita Etienne-Cummings and William James II.