Overview
Jason Rawnsley has been involved in many of Richards Layton’s largest intellectual property cases.
Jason focuses his practice on intellectual property and complex litigation in Delaware’s federal and state courts, as well as arbitration. He has experience in patent, trademark, copyright, unfair competition, trade secret, fraud, breach of contract, and non-compete disputes. Jason also advises companies on intellectual property issues in asset purchase and other transactions, including licensing and assignment of intellectual property rights.
Jason has provided pro bono intellectual property guidance and representation to the Mariano Rivera Foundation, the MLK Voice 4 Youth program, and others. He was selected as a participant in the 2017 Federal Trial Practice Seminar, sponsored by the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware and the Federal Bar Association.
PRACTICES
Arbitration & Mediation
Commercial Litigation
Intellectual Property
Select Experience
Intellectual Property
- Philpot v. Arkadium, Inc.: Represented online game provider against assertions of copyright infringement
- Kriss USA, Inc. v. Defiance Machine, Inc.: Defended manufacturer of custom rifle bolt-actions against allegations of trademark infringement
- Tri-State Battery & Auto Electric, Inc. v. PASCO Holdings, LLC: Represented automotive battery retailer in declaratory judgment trademark action
- Greatbatch Ltd. v. AVX Corp.: Defended global electronic components manufacturer in patent infringement lawsuit over components used in medical devices
- FriendFinder Networks Inc. v. Penthouse Global Media, Inc.: Restored control of domain names to dating-site network following spin-off of subsidiaries
- FastVDO LLC v. Texas Instruments Incorporated: Defended Texas Instruments in patent infringement lawsuit over digital signal processors
Complex Litigation
- Amedisys Hospice, L.L.C. v. Heching: Represented national home-health services provider in complex indemnification dispute arising from purchase of hospice-care provider
- Neapco Drivelines, LLC v. Arconic Inc.: Defended auto parts manufacturer against claims of breach of contract
Non-Compete and Trade-Secret Litigation
- Panda Holdco LLC v. Walker: Defended founder of sales consulting business from alleged breach of non-compete agreement
- Hollingsworth & Vose Company v. Pompeo: Defended manufacturer of thermoplastic nets, nonwovens, laminates, and extruded components against attempt to enjoin newly hired employee from working for the company
- Notre Dame Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 2009
Notre Dame Law Review, Articles Editor - Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, M.A., 2005
- Villanova University, B.A., Classics, 2003
Phi Beta Kappa
Education
Publications
Delaware Enacts Personal Data Privacy Act
September 20, 2023
On September 11, 2023, Governor Carney signed into law the Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act (the “Act”), making Delaware one of twelve states that have passed comprehensive data privacy laws in the absence of a national law. The Act, which takes effect on January 1, 2025, will require companies and individuals that fall under its purview…
Attorney Fees for Enforcing Indemnification Rights in Litigation under Delaware Law
ABA | May 2, 2023
Parties entering into transactions often provide for indemnification rights in their agreements. Those agreements typically provide for reimbursement of attorney fees and costs as indemnifiable losses. For instance, the ABA Model Stock Purchase Agreement defines “Loss” as “any cost, loss, liability, obligation, claim, cause of action, damage, deficiency, expense (including costs of investigation and defense and…
U.S. Supreme Court Adopts New Indefiniteness Standard
Delaware Business Court Insider | June 25, 2014
In a decision that will doubtless lead to more patent claims being challenged as indefinite, the U.S. Supreme Court in Nautilus v. Biosig Instruments, unanimously held that a claim is indefinite if it fails to inform one of ordinary skill in the art of the scope of the invention with reasonable certainty.
The Battle over Confidential Arbitration
ABA | February 27, 2013
The Delaware Court of Chancery’s business arbitration program was barely underway when the Delaware Coalition for Open Government, a state affiliate of the National Freedom of Information Coalition, brought suit to nullify one of its central features: confidentiality of proceedings. The coalition alleged that the confidentiality provisions of the arbitration statute and the corresponding Court of…
Section 162(m) Litigation: What We Know So Far
The Review of Securities & Commodities Regulation | November 21, 2012
This article sets forth some typical allegations found in complaints challenging Section 162(m) plans, discusses the courts’ treatment of various arguments that have been raised in motions to dismiss, describes what typical settlements look like, and provides practical advice to mitigate the risk of becoming the target of one of these lawsuits.
ABA | April 18, 2012
“The most frequent method for discovering the work of expert witnesses is by deposition,” according to the advisory committee notes to Rule 26. On December 1, 2010, certain changes to the expert discovery provisions of this Rule went into effect. These changes clarified the scope of discoverable information about an expert’s work that is available to…
Delaware Superior Court’s Complex Commercial Litigation Division
U.S. Law Week | October 4, 2011
In the October 4, 2011 edition of U.S. Law Week, C. Malcolm Cochran and Jason Rawnsley discuss the scope, procedures, and caseload of the Delaware Superior Court’s Complex Commercial Litigation Division, including its implications for the separation of law and equity in Delaware.
The IP Legal Browser | Fall 2011
It is well established that liability for direct infringement does not depend on the knowledge or intent of the infringer, but that indirect infringement under 35 U.S.C. § 271(c) requires that the accused infringer have knowledge of the infringed patent.
Local Practices for Electronic Discovery
The Federal Lawyer | February, 2011
The shift from paper to electronic communication and storage has transformed every step of litigation, from initial case assessment to discovery and even trial.
Presentations
Presenter, “Overview of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware,” U.S. Law Firm Group Litigation Committee Spring Meeting
May 12, 2023
Panelist, “Intellectual Property Trends to Watch in 2022 & Beyond,” SCG Legal Annual Meeting
September 23, 2022
Pro Bono Activities
- Mariano Rivera Foundation
- MLK Voice 4 Youth
- Delaware Office of the Child Advocate
- Delaware Volunteer Legal Services
- Knight v. Musemici: Represented Delaware resident arrested by the City of Dover police in civil claim for unlawful arrest in violation of Fourth Amendment rights
Recognition
- Chambers USA, 2024
- Managing Intellectual Property, Rising Star, 2023, 2022
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2025, 2024
- Delaware Today Top Lawyer, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
Bar Admissions
- Delaware
- United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit