Overview

Oliver Richards is an intellectual property litigator who works with companies of all sizes encompassing a wide range of technologies. From representing clients in high-stakes cases before the Federal Circuit to taking on non-practicing entities in high-volume litigation, Oliver approaches all his matters with a formidable blend of efficiency and creativity. 

Oliver’s experience has touched on a variety of technologies, including integrated circuit design and fabrication, wireless standards (including cases involving standard essential patents), graphical user interfaces, and encryption technologies. His notable cases include helping represent Seirus Innovative Accessories at the Federal Circuit after an adverse summary judgment finding, resulting in successfully achieving reversal on behalf of the client and wiping out a multi-million-dollar verdict. In another significant win, Oliver joined the representation of telecommunications client uCloudlink, in which the Fish & Richardson team persuaded the Federal Circuit to completely reverse a decision that held their client liable for millions in damages for willful patent infringement. 

Additionally, Oliver is highly skilled in complex legal analysis and writing; he has drafted effective briefs before a wide variety of tribunals, including the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, U.S. District Courts, and the Federal Circuit. Oliver’s communication skills extend to his knack for clearly explaining complex legal concepts to a non-expert audience. Determined and efficient, Oliver is also known for his ability to quickly deal with high volumes of matters asserted by non-practicing entities.  

Prior to joining Fish, Oliver served as a law clerk for the Honorable Timothy B. Dyk of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. During law school, Oliver co-founded the Patent Law Reading Group — a group dedicated to keeping up with recent developments in patent law from the Federal Circuit and Supreme Court — and Oliver has continued this in his practice, keeping Fish’s clients up to date with alerts on important patent law developments. 

In his pro bono practice, Oliver dedicates time to organizations in his community, including the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program and the Los Angeles Alliance for Children’s Rights. 

Oliver formerly worked as a math and science teacher. A classically trained musician, he enjoys unwinding at the piano. 

Experience

Columbia Sportswear v. Seirus Innovative Accessories (D. Or. and S.D. Cal.) - Jury trial in San Diego obtaining a verdict invalidating Columbia’s asserted utility patent. Federal Circuit affirmed invalidity of the utility patent, reversed summary judgment of infringement for an asserted design patent, and remanded the case for a new trial on the design patent. 

SIMO Holdings Inc. v. uCloudlink Network Technology Limited et al. (Fed. Cir.). After Chinese client uCloudlink lost at trial in S.D.N.Y with another firm, Fish took over the case and persuaded the Federal Circuit to completely reverse a decision holding them liable for $8.2 million in damages for ten months of willful patent infringement. Fish’s client ultimately paid nothing and there was no remand to the lower court.