Matthew Murphey is a litigation and trial attorney handling intellectual property and commercial litigation matters. Prior to joining Troutman Sanders, Matt was the Managing Shareholder of Murphey & Murphey, an intellectual property boutique law firm in San Diego.
Matt has argued cases before the Federal Circuit and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, state trial and appellate courts throughout California, Washington, Arizona, and Texas, as well as federal district courts in California, Washington, Arizona, Texas, New York, Wisconsin, and Florida.
Matt's intellectual property litigation practice focuses on a particular expertise in patent cases involving a range of technologies. These include mechanical disciplines related to the diving, transport and manufacturing industries, electrical and electronic disciplines related to the semiconductor, microcomputer and energy industries, chemical disciplines related to the food processing and water filtration industries, and molecular biology disciplines related to the biotechnology industry.
Matt also maintains an active trademark, trade dress and copyright litigation practice related to the retail apparel, food service and manufacturing industries. These include matters pending before district courts, the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and numerous alternative dispute resolution (ADR) tribunals.
Representative Experience
Examples of Matt's comprehensive experience include the following:
1 . Trial and Litigation Matters.
2. Appellate Matters.
Trial and Litigation Matters
Jury Trials
Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. v. Olaes Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a ODM, Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, Case No. GIN052848 (2009); statutory warranty against third party infringement claims; counsel for plaintiff; verdict for plaintiff, December, 2009.
Brighton Collectibles, Inc. v. Marc Chantal America, Inc., United States District Court, Southern District of California, Case No. 3:06-CV-01584H (2009); trademark infringement and trade dress infringement; counsel for defendant; split verdict.
Sofpool LLC v. Intex Recreation Corp., United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Case No. 2:07-CV-97; patent infringement; counsel for plaintiff; split verdict, April 2008; verdict on infringement vacated and case remanded by Federal Circuit Court of Appeals (328 Fed.Appx. 654); settled after remand.
Sionix Corp. v. Gilliam, Duncan & Harms, Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, Case No. GIC754391 (2001 WL 34098932); patent attorney malpractice; counsel for plaintiff; verdict for plaintiff.
Numerous criminal prosecution jury trials for United States, States of California and Washington, and United States Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
Bench and Administrative Court Trials
Pacific Sunwear Of California, Inc. v. Hart, 2007 WL 1893924, (Trademark Tr. & App. Bd. 2007), Trademark Opposition.
Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. v. PBC Services, Inc., 2007 WL 841664 (E.D.Ark. 2007), preliminary injunction proceedings and combined trial; counsel for defendant; complaint dismissed; memorandum and opinion granting recovery against temporary restraining order bond, see 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 100344.
Svane v. Rysewick, Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, GIN021858 (2004); trial on contempt charge; counsel for alleged contemnor; charge dismissed after close of evidence on motion.
Pacific Sunwear Of California, Inc. v. AIT, Inc., 2004 WL 341252, (Trademark Tr. & App. Bd. 2004), Trademark Opposition.
Sionix Corp., v. Moorehead, USDC (S.D. Cal. 2000) Case No. 3:99-CV-01201L, patent infringement [contempt proceeding -Dock. # 262], counsel for plaintiff.
California Woman, Inc. v. Pyramid Publishing Group, American Arbitration Association, San Diego, California (April 1, 1998), breach of contract.
Reported Representative Matters
Patent Litigation
Life Sciences and Chemical Patents
Mannatech, Inc. v Roex, et al., Case No. 3:10-cv-00533 (N.D. Tex. pending), cousel for co-defendant and counter-claimaint in patent infringement on food supplement chemistry claim.
Invitrogen Corporation v. General Electric Company D.B.A GE Healthcare, 2009 WL 1474264 (E.D. Tex. 2009), counsel for plaintiff in random prime amplification (RPA) of nucleic acid technology claim; settled.
Genetic Applications LLC v. Invitrogen Corp., 2007 WL 4825981 (E.D. Tex. 2007), counsel for defendant in cellular transfection technology claim; settled.
Mingione v. U.S. Food Corp., 2004 WL 5676355 (S.D.Cal. 2004), counsel for defendant in dairy substitute food product infringement claim; settled.
Window Rock Enterprises v. Wellspring Laboratories, 2004 WL 3705096 (C. D. Cal. 2004), counsel for plaintiff in supplement compound infringement claim; settled.
Mechanical and Software Patents
Autobytel, Inc., v. Insweb Corporation, 2009 WL 1474394 (E.D Tex 2009), counsel for co-defendant, software patent infringement claim; settled.
Aqua-Lung America, Inc., v. Johnson Outdoors, Inc., 2008 WL 1895927 (S.D. Cal. 2008); counsel for plaintiff; buoyancy compensator vest patent infringement claim; settled.
Sanijet Corp. v. Lexor Intern., Inc., 2008 WL 1757820 (N.D.Tex. 2008); counsel for defendant; impeller-driven electric water pump patent infringement claim; settled.
Sorkin v. Amsysco, Inc., 2007 WL 5077412 (S.D. Tex. 2007); counsel for defendant; post-tension slab component patent infringement claim; summary judgment of non-infringement (memorandum and opinion granting summary judgment, see 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 39399, judgment affirmed by Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.
Stratedge Corp. v. Transcom, Inc., 2006 WL 2481670 (S.D. Cal. 2006); counsel for plaintiff; microcomputer component patent infringement claim; settled.
Seaquest Inc. v. Mares America Corp., 2003 WL 23839202 (S.D. Cal. 2003); counsel for plaintiff; buoyancy compensator vest patent infringement claim; court granted motion for preliminary injunction for patent infringement; permanent injunction issued and case settled.
Seaquest, Inc. v. Zeagle Systems, Inc., 2003 WL 23839852 (S.D. Cal. 2003); counsel for plaintiff; underwater breathing apparatus patent infringement claim; settled.
Seaquest, Inc. v. Johnson Outdoors, Inc., 2003 WL 23325804 (S.D. Cal. 2003); counsel for plaintiff; buoyancy compensator vest patent infringement claim; case resolved after cross-motions for preliminary injunctions filed.
Oakley, Inc. v. Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc., 2000 WL 34445421 (S.D. Cal. 2000); counsel for defendant; sunglass design patent infringement claim; settled.
Noteworthy Markman Proceedings
Seirus Innovative Accessories, Inc. v. BULA America, Inc., 2010 U.S. Dist LEXIS 140317 (S. D. Cal. 2010).
Sanijet Corp. v. Lexor Intern., Inc., 2008 WL 1757820, 2008 (N.D.Tex. 2008).
Sofpool, Inc. v. Intex Recreation Corp., 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 93057 (E.D. Tex. 2007).
Sorkin v. Amsysco, Inc., 2006 WL 6143147, (S.D.Tex. 2006).
Mingione v. U.S. Food Corp., 2004 WL 5676355, (S.D.Cal. 2004).
Mingione v. U.S. Food Corp., 2003 WL 25810278, (S.D.Cal. 2003).
False Marking and Antitrust Litigation
Patent Group LLC v. Glen Family, Inc., Case No. 10cv392 (ED Tex) (pending).
Seirus Innovative Accessories v. Cabelas, Inc., et al, Case No. 09cv102 (SD Cal.), (pending); read the Court's memorandum and opinion dismissing Sherman Act Section 2 claims (amendment not attempted) and dismissing false marking claims, in part
Seirus Innovative Accessories, Inc. v. Bula America, et al, Case No. 08cv2234 (SD Cal.) (pending); read the court's memorandum and opinion granting summary judgment to counterdefendant on false marking claims.
Troll Busters, LLC v. Roche Molecular Systems, et al, Case No. 11:cv00056 (SD Cal) (pending).
Josephs v. Sigma Aldrich Corp., Case No. 10cv10660 (ED Mich.) (case transferred, client dismissed).
Trademark and Trade Dress Proceedings
Buffalo Wild Wings v. BWR McAllen, et al. Case No. 4:10-cv-01265 (S.D. Tex. pending), counsel for co-defendant in trademark and trade dress infringement claim involving Buffalo Wild Wings mark and restaurant layout/color scheme.
Pacific Sunwear Of California, Inc. v. Kira Plastinina Style, Ltd., counsel for plaintiff; trademark infringement claim; preliminary injunction granted (read the court's opinion granting the motion), affirmed on appeal by the Ninth Circuit [2010 WL 358764 (9th Cir. 2010)] (read the Ninth Circuit's affirming memorandum).
Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc., v. Abercrombie & Fitch Co., 2009 WL 4273447, (C.D. Cal. 2009); counsel for plaintiff; trademark and trade dress infringement claim; settled.
Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc., v. Bermo Enterprises, Inc., 2008 WL 2746404, May 06, 2008 (C.D. Cal. 2008); counsel for plaintiff; trademark infringement and dilution claim; preliminary injunction granted; settled.
World Triathlon Corp. v. Kai Elua Outrigger Canoe Club, 2007 WL 2252498 (S.D. Cal. 2007); counsel for plaintiff; trademark infringement claim regarding mark "IRONMAN"; settled.
Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. v. PBC Services, Inc., 2007 WL 841664 (E.D.Ark. Mar 15, 2007); Complaint dismissed after issuance of temporary restraining order; damages awarded by court to client on preliminary injunction bond
Copyright Infringement and Software Rights Litigation
Microsoft Corporation v. Worth, 2007 WL 4810041, (N.D. Tex. 2007); counsel for defendant; copyright infringement claim; settled.
Software & Information Industry Association, v. Scott & Scott, LLP, 2008 WL 1880753, (N.D. Tex. 2008); counsel for defendant; copyright infringement, license audit, trademark infringement and dilution claims; settled.
Clinisciences S.A. v. Zymed Laboratories, Inc., 2006 WL 432155 (N.D. Cal. 2006); counsel for defendant; license agreement breach claim; settled.
America's Car Mart, Inc. v. Business Software Alliance, 2005 WL 4000032 (W.D. Ark. 2005), counsel for plaintiff; copyright infringement and license audit claims; settled.
Nelgo Mfg., Inc. v. AutoDesk, Inc., USDC (S.D. Cal. 2004), counsel for plaintiff; copyright infringement and license audit claims; settled.
Hicks v. NYCA, 2003 WL 2385968 (S.D. Cal. 2003); counsel for plaintiff; copyright infringement claim; settled.
Appellate Matters
Federal Appeals
United States Court of Appeal for the Federal Circuit
Direct Appeals
1. Appeal No. 2006-1519, Sorkin v. Amsysco, Inc., Counsel for Respondent, (Patent Infringement Case).
2. Appeal No. 01-1430, Mini Micro Stencil, Inc., v. Beam-On Technology, Inc., Counsel for Appellant (Patent Infringement Case).
3. Appeal No. 03-740, Tie-Down, Inc., v. Unique Functional Products, Inc., Counsel for Appellant (Patent Infringement Case).
4. Appeal No. 03-1157-1246, Unique Functional Products, Inc., v. Mastercraft Boat Company, Inc. and Reliable Tool and Machine Co., Inc., Counsel for Respondent (Patent Infringement Case).
5. Appeal No. 97-1278, Lee's Aquarium & Pet Products, Inc. v. Python Products, Inc., Counsel for Respondent (Patent Infringement Case).
Extraordinary Writ/Relief Proceedings
1. Appeal No. 815, Aqua Lung America, Inc. v. Mares USA, Inc., Counsel for Appellant/Moving Party (Patent Infringement Case, Motion for Summary Vacatur).
2. Miscellaneous No. 740, In re: Unique Functional Products, Inc., Counsel for Petitioner (Patent Infringement Case, Petition for Writ of Mandamus).
3. Miscellaneous No. 608, In Re: Mini Micro Stencil, Inc., Counsel for Petitioner (Patent Infringement Case, Petition for Writ of Mandamus).
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Direct Appeals
1. Appeal No. 09-55699, Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. v. Kira Plastinina Style Ltd., Counsel for Respondent (Trademark Infringement Case).
2. Appeal No. 98-55902, Ricotta v. California, et al, Counsel for Respondent (Civil Rights Case).
3. Appeal No. 00-55002, Osram Sylvania Products, Inc., et al, v. Wang's International, Inc., Pilot Automotive, Inc., Counsel for Appellant (Trade Dress Infringement Case).
4. Appeal Nos. 01-56905, 02-55077, 02-55115, Sionix Corp. v. Moorhead, Counsel for Respondent (Securities Fraud Case).
5. Appeal No. 98-55755, J. Murphey, v. Lanier, et al, Counsel for Appellant (Federal Telecommunications Act Case).
6. Appeal No. 96-56055, Lucky Brand Dungarees, Inc. v. Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc., et al, Counsel for Respondent (Trademark Infringement Case).
7. Appeal No. 97-55455, Lees' Aquarium & Pet Products, Inc. v. Python Products, Inc., Counsel for Respondent (Trade Dress Infringement Case).
8. Appeal No. 00-56440, Lytle v. City of Oceanside, Counsel for Appellant (Civil Rights Case).
9. Appeal No. 02-15026, Machine Head v. Dewey Global Holdings, Inc., Counsel for Appellant (Trademark Infringement Case).
Extraordinary Writ/Relief Proceedings
1. Appeal No. 08-71998, Marc Chantal America, Inc. v. United States District Court, Southern District of California, Counsel for Petitioner (Trade Dress Case, Petition for Writ of Mandamus).
2. Appeal No. Misc. 55002, Wang Int'l., Inc. v. United States District Court, Central District of California, Counsel for Appellant/Moving party (Trade Dress Case - Emergency Motion for Stay of Trial Court Proceedings).
3. Appeal No. 99-70260, Tosco Marketing Company and Gary Balzhiser, v. United States District Court for the Central District of California (Equillon Enterprises, LLC, v. P.K. Enterprises, LLC), Counsel for Respondent (Trademark Infringement/PMPA Case).
State Appeals
California Supreme Court
1. Petition No. D034210, Munoz, Jr., v. Obenchain, et al, Counsel for Petitioner (Medical Malpractice Case).
California Court of Appeals
Direct Appeals
1. Appeal No. DO39631, People v. Abdulhafeez, Counsel for Appellant (Criminal Case).
2. Appeal No. DO40070, People v. Burgueno, Counsel for Appellant (Criminal Case).
3. Appeal No. DO32 139, People v. Charles Peoples, Counsel for Appellant (Criminal Case).
4. Appeal No. DO29722, People v. Mancera, Counsel for Appellant (Criminal Case).
5. Appeal No. DO4 1703, People v. Sandoval, Counsel for Appellant (Criminal Case).
6. Appeal No. D030041, People v. Smith, Counsel for Appellant (Criminal Case).
7. Appeal No. DO42606, People v. Thomas, Counsel for Appellant (Criminal Case).
8. Appeal No. DO44997, Chavez v. Lopez, Counsel for Respondent (Breach of Contract Case).
9. Appeal No. DO35627, Fields v. Fields, Counsel for Appellant (Family Law Case).
10. Appeal No. D044746, Svane v. Rysewyk, Counsel for Respondent (Unfair Business Practices Case).
11. Appeal No. DO3 6624, Hodges v. Reed, Counsel for Respondent (Family Law Case).
12. Appeal No. DO36624, Hodges v. Reed, Petition for Rehearing, Counsel for Respondent (Statutory Construction Case).
13. Appeal No. DO34701, Hodges v. Reed, Counsel for Respondent (Family Law Case).
14. Appeal No. DO3 6252, Commercial Money Center, Inc., v. Hunt, Counsel for Respondent, (Breach of Commercial Lease Case).
15. Appeal No. GIC796393, Valeocyte Therapies, LLC v. Hotaling, Counsel for Appellant (Misappropriation of Trade Secrets Case). Extraordinary Writ/Relief Proceedings
1. Appeal No. DN70785, Olmstead v. Borrelli, Counsel for Petitioner (Petition for Writ of Mandamus, Child Custody Case).
2. Appeal No. DO34797, Hunt v. Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Diego, North County Branch (Commercial Money Center, Inc.), Counsel for Petitioner (Petition for Writ of Mandate, Civil Procedure Appeal).
3. Appeal No. DO36988, Sionix Corporation, v. Superior Court of California, County of San Diego (Wenthur & Chachas), Counsel for Petitioner (Petitioner for Writ of Mandamus - Legal Malpractice Case).
4. Appeal No. D031681 and D031682, Lee's Aquarium & Pet Products, Inc. v. Nationwide Ins. Co., et al, Counsel for Petitioner (Petition for Writ of Mandamus, Insurance Coverage Case).
5. Appeal No. D033 170, Nationwide Ins. Co., et al v. Lee's Aquarium & Pet Products, Inc., Counsel for Respondent (Insurance Coverage Case).
Oral Arguments
United States Court of Appeal for the Federal Circuit
1. Appeal No. 2006-1519, Sorkin v. Amsysco, Inc., Counsel for Respondent, (Patent Infringement Case).
2. Appeal No. 01-1430, Mini Micro Stencil, Inc., v. Beam-On Technology, Inc., Counsel for Appellant (Patent Infringement Case.)
3. Appeal No. 03-1157-1246, Unique Functional Products, Inc., v. Mastercraft Boat Company, Inc. and Reliable Tool and Machine Co., Inc., Counsel for Respondent (Patent Infringement Case).
4. Appeal No. 97-1278, Lee's Aquarium & Pet Products, Inc. v. Python Products, Inc., Counsel for Respondent (Patent Infringement Case).
5. Miscellaneous No. 608, In Re: Mini Micro Stencil, Inc., Counsel for Petitioner (Patent Infringement Case, Petition for Writ of Mandamus).
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
1. Appeal No. 98-55902, Ricotta v. California, et al, Counsel for Respondent (Civil Rights Case).
2. Appeal No. 00-55002, Osram Sylvania Products, Inc., et al, v. Wang's International, Inc., Pilot Automotive, Inc., Counsel for Appellant (Trade Dress Infringement Case).
3. Appeal No. 98-55755, J. Murphey, v. Lanier, et al, Counsel for Appellant (Federal Telecommunications Act Case).
California Court of Appeals
1. Appeal No. DO39631, People, v. Abdulhafeez, Counsel for Appellant (Criminal Appeal).
2. Appeal No. DO40070, People v. Burgueno, Counsel for Appellant (Criminal Appeal).
3. Appeal No. DO32 139, People v. Charles Peoples, Counsel for Appellant (Criminal Appeal).
4. Appeal No. DO29722, People v. Mancera, Counsel for Appellant (Criminal Appeal).
5. Appeal No. DO4 1703, People v. Sandoval, Counsel for Appellant (Criminal Appeal).
6. Appeal No. D030041, People v. Smith, Counsel for Appellant (Criminal Appeal).
7. Appeal No. DO42606, People v. Thomas, Counsel for Appellant (Criminal Appeal).
8. Appeal No. DO44997, Chavez v. Lopez, Counsel for Respondent (Contract Law Case).
9. Appeal No. D044746, Svane v. Rysewyk, Counsel for Respondent (Unfair Business Practices Case).
10. Appeal No. DO36624, Hodges, v. Reed, Counsel for Respondent (Family Law Case).
11. Appeal No. DO3 6624, Hodges v. Reed, Petition for Rehearing, Counsel for Respondent (Statutory Construction Case).
12. Appeal No. DO34701, Hodges v. Reed, Counsel for Respondent (Family Law Case).
13. Appeal No. DO36252, Commercial Money Center, Inc., v. Hunt, Counsel for Respondent, (Breach of Commercial Lease Case).
Other Distinctions
AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
Partner, Troutman Sanders LLP, 2011-present
Partner, Gordon & Rees LLP
Managing Shareholder, Murphey & Murphey
Memberships
· State Bar of California, Intellectual Property Law Section
· State Bar of Texas, Intellectual Property Law Section
(Also at Irvine Office)