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J. Rick Taché

Partner
San Diego

Partner, San Diego

T: +1.858.847.4109
T: +1.858.847.4109

Areas of Focus

With significant in-house experience, he has a keen insight into the needs and expectations of his patrons, enabling him to craft perceptive strategies and secure optimal protection.
—IAM Patent 1000

Rick Taché is a seasoned intellectual property attorney and registered patent lawyer with over three decades of experience advising clients on complex IP litigation and strategy.

Rick represents clients nationwide in high-stakes litigation involving patents, trademarks and copyrights, and serves as a trusted advisor on complex business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, licensing and commercial agreements. He also manages patent and trademark portfolios for clients across a wide range of industries, including medical devices, artificial intelligence, aerospace, software and mechanical systems.

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Rick previously served as in-house counsel at leading companies, such as McDonnell Douglas Corporation, The Boeing Company, Nomadix, Inc. and Northpole, Ltd. This experience gives him valuable insight into the business needs of clients, allowing him to provide tailored legal advice and effectively support their strategic objectives.

Representative Experience

  • Served as counsel for Samsung, successfully obtaining full-defense verdict after jury trial of non-infringement of multiple patents relating to wireless-messaging technology. Mobil Telecommunications Technologies, LLC v. Samsung Electronics Company.
  • Advised Whitewater in patent infringement lawsuit filed in the District of Oregon relating to interactive play structures and ball shooters. Obtained early favorable settlement for Whitewater. Whitewater West Industries, LTD v. International Play Company, Inc.
  • Represented Too Faced Cosmetics in trademark and trade-dress infringement lawsuit filed against competitor in the Central District of California. The lawsuit involved key company products and trademarks. Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of the client. Too Faced Cosmetics, LLC v. Almar Sales, Inc.

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  • Served as counsel for industry leader in the food industry in trademark-infringement lawsuit filed against competitor in the Southern District of California. The lawsuit involved the company’s principal brand. Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of client after the filing of motion for preliminary injunction.
  • Represented the world’s largest international hotel chain in patent infringement lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Texas. The lawsuit involved number of patents to internet-based-reservations systems. Successfully settled the lawsuit after challenging the validity and enforceability of the patents in suit.
  • Advised Papertech in patent infringement lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Virginia (successfully transferred to the Southern District of New York). The lawsuit involved number of patents relating to web-vision-event-capturing technology used in the pulp and paper industry. Successfully settled the lawsuit after challenging the validity and enforceability of the patents in suit. Kobayashi Ventures, LLC. V. PTPapertech, Inc.
  • Served as counsel for EDMC in trademark infringement lawsuit filed by the University of the South in the Eastern District of Tennessee regarding the use of the mark South University. Damages at issue were estimated to be in excess of $60 million. Obtained favorable settlement for EDMC after successfully defending four-day preliminary injunction hearing. University of the South v. Education Management Corporation.
  • Advised industry leader in the baby products industry defending against patent lawsuit filed by major competitor in the Central District of California. The lawsuit involved design patent relating to playards. Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of client.
  • Represented industry leader in the baby products industry defending against patent lawsuit filed by major competitor in the International Trade Commission (ITC). The ITC proceeding involved five patents relating to baby strollers and playards. Obtained favorable settlement based upon series of summary judgment motions filed challenging the validity of the patents at issue.
  • Served as counsel for industry leader in the baby products industry defending against patent lawsuit filed by competitor in the Central District of California. The lawsuit involved two patents relating to baby strollers. Prevailed on series of summary judgment motions resulting in both patents at issue being declared invalid.
  • Represented Whitewater in patent infringement lawsuit filed in the District of Colorado relating to water-based amusement attractions. Obtained favorable settlement after successfully concluding the Markman Hearing and filing motions for summary judgment. Whitewater West Industries, LTD v. SplashTacular, Inc.
  • Advised Whitewater in patent infringement lawsuit filed in the District of Colorado relating to interactive play structures. Obtained favorable settlement after successfully concluding the Markman Hearing. Whitewater West Industries, LTD v. Vortex Aquatic Structures International, Inc.

Professional Highlights

  • Recognized in Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) Patent 1000. The World's Leading Patent Practitioners, Globe White Page Ltd (2014–2026).
  • Recognized as an “IP Star” for Patents in California as published by Managing Intellectual Property (2013–2014, 2017, 2026).
  • Recognized in Managing Intellectual Property Magazine, Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC (2013–2014, 2017).

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External Publications

Education

  • J.D., Law, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, 1989

    LL.B., Law, University of Windsor, 1989

    M.A., Sports Administration, The Ohio State University, 1986

    B.P.E., Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick, 1984

Admissions

  • California

    Arizona

    Michigan

    North Carolina

Courts

  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

    Supreme Court of Arizona

    Supreme Court of California

    Supreme Court of Michigan

    Supreme Court of North Carolina

    U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

    U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona

    U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

    U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

    U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

    U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

    U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

Rick's Insights

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