Robert R. Riddle

Blending scientific training with extensive experience in intellectual property, Robert provides comprehensive insights into complex issues facing his clients.

Experience

Representative matters

Crystaphase Products, Inc. v. Criterion Catalysts & Technologies, et al. (S.D. Tex.) Defending Lanham Act false advertising claim regarding images in promotional materials; patent infringement claims were dismissed on a successful motion to dismiss.

Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. v. Apotex (District of New Jersey). Prosecuted patent infringement case involving the crystalline form of the active ingredient for Nasonex®, which resulted in a nine-figure settlement for client.

Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. v. Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC, (D. Del.). Prosecuted Hatch-Waxman patent infringement case regarding Nasonex ®.

BASF Corp. v. SNF Holding Co., Flopam Inc., Chemtall Inc., SNF SAS, SNF (China) Flocculant Co., Ltd., (S.D. Tex. and S.D. Ga). Prosecuting patent infringement case regarding method for manufacturing polymers.

Arbitration concerning breach of contract and trade secret misappropriation claims related to oil field technology.

Arbitration concerning commercial dispute over small molecule drug development program for oncology indications.

ZaZa Energy, LLC v Sankalp Americas, Inc. and Jindal Saw, Ltd., Cause No. 2013-14715 (269th District Court, Harris County, Tex.) Defended Jindal Saw, world’s largest manufacturer of steel products used in oilfield, against $40 million claim that API grade steel was defectively manufactured resulting in failure of an oil well casing system. After a four week jury trial, the jury found in favor of client finding no liability.

Enzo Biochem, Inc., Enzo Life Sciences, Inc., and Yale University v. Applera Corp. (Applied Biosystems, Inc., a division of Life Technologies), et al., 3:04-cv-929 (D. Conn.) Prosecuted patent infringement case involving chemistry needed to modify nucleotides with labels that allow for detection of DNA without radiation. After a one week jury trial, the jury found all five asserted claims to be directly infringed, indirectly infringed, and valid. The jury also rejected laches and invalidity defenses and awarded $48.5 million in damages.

Columbia Pictures Indus., Inc. & Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. v. Rick’s Cabaret Int’l, Inc., R.B. Restaurants, Inc. et al., 4:14-cv-00559 (S.D. Tex). Prosecuted trademark infringement case involving motion picture.

Texas Moving Co., Inc. v. NCT Moving Services (S.D. Tex.). Defended trademark and unfair competition claims.

Elan Pharma International Ltd. v. Abraxis Bioscience, Inc. (D. Del.). Prosecuted first patent infringement case involving nanotechnology/nanomedicine. Two week jury trial involving patent infringement, invalidity, and unenforceability claims. Jury found in favor of client, upholding validity and enforceability of patent. Jury also found infringement and awarded client $55.2 million in damages. Post-verdict, the parties settled and entered into a license agreement for $78 million.

Elan Pharma International Limited v. Alcon Laboratories, Inc. et al., (E.D. Tex.). Prosecuted patent infringement case involving nanotechnology/nanomedicine. The case settled before trial after expert reports were served.

Scientific Drilling Inter’l, Inc. v. Gyrodata, Inc. (TTAB). Prosecuted trademark opposition before Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent Office; favorable outcome for client with a refusal to register defendant’s trademarks

Crane Co. v. SandenVendo America et al. (E.D. Tex.). Defended SandenVendo in a case involving refrigerated vending machines; reexamination requests were filed and subsequently granted by the Patent Office. This case settled on the eve of jury selection.

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (KCI) et al. v. BlueSky Medical Corp., Medela AG, et al. (W.D. Tex.). Defended patent infringement, breach of contract and miscellaneous state tort claims in a case concerning KCI’s V.A.C. (vacuum-assisted closure) medical device and wound treatment technology; obtained a defense verdict on all claims against our client

Represented clients in inter partes review and post grant review before the U.S. Patent Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Preparation of patents and patent-related opinions for a number of clients including public, private, and academic entities

Recognitions

Ranked in Chambers USA for Texas Intellectual Property, 2025
Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law, 2021-2025, and Litigation – Intellectual Property, 2022-2025; named Lawyer of the Year for Patent Law, 2025
Selected for inclusion in the Texas Super Lawyers list for Intellectual Property Litigation, 2015-2019

Credentials

Education

South Texas College of Law, 2004, J.D., Order of the Lytae, Articles Editor, South Texas Law Review; Varsity Moot Court
University of Houston, 2000, Ph.D., Biochemistry, Robert A. Welch Foundation Doctoral Fellowship; Sigma Xi
University of Houston, 1996, B.S., Biochemistry & Biophysics