Brett Alten

Brett Alten is a highly experienced intellectual property attorney with a significant focus on patent litigation and strategic IP management for technology-driven operating companies. His practice emphasizes defending against patent assertions across various advanced technology sectors, including software, wireless communications, enterprise technology, automotive, and clean energy systems. His extensive technical background, holding a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, complements his legal expertise in these complex fields.

Alten primarily operates on the defendant side, serving exclusively as in-house counsel for major corporations. His tracked appearances reflect this, having defended companies such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise in VirtaMove Corp. v. Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Zebra Technologies in Wirelesswerx IP LLC v. Zebra Technologies, and Tesla Inc. in Intellectual Ventures Management LLC v. Tesla Inc. This consistent role highlights his dedication to protecting operating companies from patent infringement claims and managing their intellectual property portfolios.

Currently, Brett Alten serves as the Vice President and Chief IP Counsel at Zebra Technologies, a position he has held since 2025. His career includes a progression of senior in-house IP leadership roles, including Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and Chief IP Counsel at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (2017-2025), Associate General Counsel - IP at Tesla, Deputy General Counsel and Head of IP at SolarCity, Head of IP at Dropbox, and Director of Patent Enforcement and Development at Apple. Prior to his in-house career, he practiced in private law firms, including Morrison & Foerster LLP, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP, and Fish & Neave, where he focused on patent litigation and strategic counseling. While his profile suggests involvement in comprehensive IP strategy that often includes post-grant proceedings, specific instances of his personal appearance or leadership in PTAB/IPR proceedings are not reliably sourced in public records.

Beyond litigation, Alten is recognized for his contributions to IP strategy and development, notably launching the "Low Carbon Patent Pledge" at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, which encourages royalty-free patent licensing for sustainable technologies, and the "Defensive Patent Purchase Right". He earned his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Condensed Matter and Materials Physics from The Johns Hopkins University, and a B.A. in Physics from Clark University. He is licensed to practice law in California (as Registered In-House Counsel), New York, and Washington D.C., and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.