Edward A. Cavazos

He represents clients ranging from startups that are launching businesses based on cutting-edge technologies to established corporations that are developing, procuring and integrating new technologies into their existing businesses. In addition, Ed also routinely litigates complex IP disputes, including patent, trade secret, copyright, trademark, contract breach and internet-related claims, and has successfully represented client in jury trials in both federal and state court. Ed has been an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law since 1998, where he is currently teaching a seminar on “The Law of Software, Video Games and Interactive Entertainment.” He is the Austin office’s managing partner and serves on the firm’s executive board.

• Defended Valve Corporation, the Seattle-based video game development and digital distribution company and operators of the Steam gaming platform, against patent infringement claims.

• Represented SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI), a provider of IT infrastructure management software, in defending against claims of patent infringement (Eastern District of Texas – Marshall).

• Represented Wickfire, a provider of advanced Search Engine Marketing services, in a case involving claims of unfair competition, defamation, tortious interference with contract and similar claims arising from wrongful marketing practices (Western District of Texas – Austin).

• Represented RetailMeNot, the world’s largest marketplace for digital offers, in defending against claims of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and dilution, and asserting fair use and first amendment-based defenses (Northern District of Texas – Dallas).

• Represented RetailMeNot in defending against claims of breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets (District of Delaware).

• Represented SolarWinds in a suit dealing with a dispute over patent ownership/inventorship (Northern District of Florida – Tallahassee).

• Represented Automatic Labs, an innovator in connected car technologies and products, in defending claim of patent infringement (District of Delaware).

• Represented Bazaarvoice and PowerReviews in seeking a declaratory judgment that they do not infringe BSG Tech’s patents and/or that BSG Tech’s patents are not valid (Western District of Texas – Austin).

• Represented Texas Mutual Insurance in seeking a declaratory judgment that Texas Mutual does not infringe ICS’s patents and/or that ICS’s patents are not valid (Western District of Texas – Austin).

• Represented Coffee Serv Inc, Beaucoup Wedding Favors Inc., Eastern Mountain Sports Inc., and Costume Craze LLC in defending claims of patent infringement (Eastern District of Texas – Marshall).

• Represented Qcue in claims of copyright infringement against Digonex. Secured summary judgment invalidating both Digonex patents as indefinite. Ruling upheld at Federal Circuit Court of Appeals (Western District of Texas Austin/Federal Circuit Court of Appeals).

• Represented Hyperwear, a developer of high-quality fitness equipment in lawsuit alleging trademark infringement, unfair competition and similar claims relating to defendant’s unauthorized use of the “SANDBELL” trademark (Western District of Texas – Austin).

• Represented Bazaarvoice, Kohl’s, REI, LL Bean, American Express and Starwood Hotels in defending allegations of patent infringement brought by c4cast.com Inc. (Eastern District of Texas – Marshall).

• Represented Everbridge, a provider of emergency notification services, against claims of patent infringement (District of Delaware).

• Represented Stripes LLC, a publicly traded convenience store and food services company in lawsuit against TGI Friday’s alleging trademark infringement, unfair competition and similar claims relating to defendant’s unauthorized use of the “Stripes” trademark (Southern District of Texas – McAllen).

• Represented Inquisitive Minds and HTC in case involving claims that Fuhu infringed IM and HTC’s trademarks and engaged in unfair competition (Southern District of California, Western Division).

• Represented provider of online training courses in a lawsuit alleging trademark infringement, copyright infringement, unfair competition and cybersquatting (Western District of Texas – Waco).

• Represented a software and service provider in a lawsuit alleging claims of trademark infringement, unfair competition, cybersquatting and dilution (Western District of Texas - Austin).

• Represented providers of application services for the homebuilding industry against claims of patent infringement, theft of trade secrets, antitrust, and related claims (Eastern District of Texas).

• Represented provider of clean energy products and advanced metering solutions against multiple claims of patent infringement. Matter settled favorably (Eastern District of Texas).

• Represented defendant in Progressive Concepts v. Hawk Electronics, Inc. in Declaratory Judgment action brought involving trademark infringement and related claims (Northern District of Texas).

• Represented provider of emergency notification messaging system in defending against claims of patent infringement in two courts simultaneously. Matter settled favorably (Southern District of Ohio and Central District of California).

• Represented plaintiff in obtaining early resolution of breach of contract and copyright infringement lawsuit arising out of a custom software development agreement (State District Court, Bexar County – San Antonio, Texas).

• Teaches “The Law of Software, Video Games and Interactive Entertainment” at The University of Texas School of Law and co-authored Cyberspace and the Law: Your Rights and Duties in the On-line World.
• Honors & Awards
  • The Legal 500 U.S., Technology: Transactions (2011 – 2014)
• Associations
  • State Bar of Texas, Intellectual Property Section
• Select Speaking Engagements

  • “Advanced Licensing,”  Annual University of Texas Technology Law Conference,  2014 - 2023.

  • “Understanding NFTs, the Metaverse, and Web 3.0,” Money Transmitter Regulators Association Annual Conference, September 2022

  • “The Collapsing Magic Circle: Laws, Rules and Social Contracts in Virtual Worlds,” TEDxSanAntonio, October 2011.

  • “Patent Licensing,” 26th Annual Advanced Patent Law Institute, November, 2021

  • “Ownership, Licensing and Monetization of Data in a Data-Driven World,” Austin IP Law Association, August 2019

  • “Intellectual Property Law for Songwriters,” Kerrville Folk Festival, May 2019.

  • “The Development of Law in Virtual Worlds.” AMD Legal Department Retreat, May 2017

  • “Cybersecurity: Exploring the Business, Application, and Ethics of Information Security,” Austin Forum on Technology & Society, April 2016.

  • “Licensing and Joint Defense Agreements.” 20th Annual Advanced Patent Law Institute, November 2015.

  • “Is it Possible to Regulate the Internet?” Swiss IT Leadership Forum, June 2014.  

  • “Cloud Computing,” The University of Texas System 12th Annual Legal Conference, October 2012.

  • “Covenants Not to Sue: The Latest Developments,” Intellectual Property Owners Association, August 2012.

  • “Licensing and Corporate Partnering,” University of Texas Office of Technology Commercialization’s Colloquium on Commercialization, November 2011.

  • “Website Agreements for Artists,” State Bar of Texas 21st Annual Entertainment Law Institute, October 2011.

  • “IP and Licensing Issues,” The Seminar Group, Venture Capital Financing, October 2011.

  • “Employee Social Media and Online Liability,” State Bar of Texas 10th Annual Advanced InHouse Counsel Course, July 2011.

  • “Internet Law Update,” Houston Intellectual Property Law Association Annual Meeting, Galveston, October 2010.

  • “Top 10 Intellectual Property Focus Items,” UT CLE’s 2010 Corporate Counsel Institute, Dallas and Houston, April 2010.

  • “Open Source: Current Issues and Best Practices,” University of Texas School of Law 17th Annual Computer Law Conference, Austin, May 2007.

• Publications
  • “Case Study: Rates Tech v. Speakeasy,” Law360, July 2012.
  • Cyberspace and the Law, MIT Press, 1994.