Eric A. Zelepugas

Eric A. Zelepugas is a Partner at Avantech Law, LLP, specializing in a versatile intellectual property practice that includes patent litigation, post-grant proceedings before the USPTO, and domestic and foreign patent prosecution. His practice is significantly informed by his Electrical Engineering background, allowing him to handle complex technologies such as artificial intelligence, electronic devices, cellular communications, signal processing, DICOM imaging systems, media delivery and consumption systems, software systems, computing device architecture, automotive control systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Zelepugas's patent litigation experience spans both plaintiff and defendant-side representations. He has notably defended clients, including Ford Motor Company and other operating entities, against patent infringement allegations brought by non-practicing entities (NPEs) like AutoConnect Holdings LLC, which involved patents related to vehicle control systems, app management, and on-board networks. His defense work also includes successfully preventing the institution of IPR petitions by identifying unnamed real-parties-in-interest.

He possesses extensive experience in PTAB and IPR proceedings, having specialized in post-grant proceedings before the USPTO. Zelepugas served as lead counsel in a PTAB IPR for Ford Motor Company against AutoConnect Holdings LLC, where institution was granted for some patents related to infotainment systems and one IPR was vacated due to inconsistent arguments by the petitioner. His IPR experience also includes leading efforts on a dozen petitions in a highly-publicized matter for Comcast Cable Communications, LLC v. Rovi Guides, Inc., and successfully defeating a motion for a temporary exclusion order at the ITC.

Prior to Avantech Law, Zelepugas practiced at Banner Witcoff and other IP boutique firms. He earned his J.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (formerly The John Marshall Law School) and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is admitted to practice in Illinois and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.