Christopher Ryan Pinckney

Christopher Ryan Pinckney is an experienced patent litigation attorney at Alavi & Anaipakos, specializing in complex intellectual property disputes. His practice encompasses a broad range of technologies, including telecommunications, wireless technologies (such as MIMO), system networking, payment systems (tokenized payment technology), computer graphics, home appliances (refrigerators, HVAC equipment), and various forms of media data coding and decoding. His background in computer engineering further underpins his technical proficiency in these areas.

Pinckney demonstrates a balanced practice, representing both patent holders (plaintiffs) and operating companies (defendants). While his tracked appearances show an equal split, his work for intellectual property licensing entities like Network-1 Technologies, Inc., and American Patents LLC highlights his experience in patent monetization for plaintiffs. Simultaneously, he has successfully defended major corporations such as Whirlpool in patent infringement actions.

Before joining Alavi & Anaipakos in February 2023, Pinckney honed his skills as a senior associate in the intellectual property group at Baker Botts and as a patent litigation attorney at Antonelli, Harrington & Thompson. His current firm, Alavi & Anaipakos, is recognized for its high-stakes trial work in intellectual property and business litigation.

Notable cases in his portfolio include successfully representing Network-1 Technologies, Inc. against Samsung Electronics America Inc. in patent infringement litigation related to various technologies including Power over Ethernet and M2M/IoT. He also achieved favorable outcomes for patent holders in cases involving tokenized payment technology (Textile Computer Systems, Inc.) and MIMO wireless technology (American Patents LLC), securing a default judgment in one instance that included costs, prejudgment interest, and ongoing royalties. His experience extends to representing defendants, notably Whirlpool, in disputes over refrigerator and ice maker patents. Pinckney also possesses experience with Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceedings, having successfully represented a patent owner in an Inter Partes Review where trial was instituted on only two of 15 challenged claims.

Pinckney earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2006. Prior to his legal career, he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Clemson University.