Curriculum Vitae
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`RONALD P. LOCATI
`President and Principal Consultant
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`APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants, LLC
`2408C Park Drive
`Harrisburg, PA 17110
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`(717) 887-3761 Mobile
`(717) 540-4330
`Message
`(717) 767-2547
`Direct & Fax
`
`rlocati@connectorconsultants.com
`rlocati1@comcast.net
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`GENERAL BACKGROUND AND AREAS OF EXPERTISE
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`Business management and growth with emphasis on new product development, including
`product design, intellectual property generation, corporate acquisitions, project
`management, collaboration, negotiations, and marketing.
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`Due diligence and organizational optimization spanning value identification, efficiency
`gains, and reengineering of business processes. Extensive technical expertise in product
`design, patents, failure investigations, reverse engineering, root cause identification, in the
`field of electrical connectors, mechanisms, electromechanical devices, and related tooling.
`Specialized skill set includes project and team management, patent interpretation, expert
`witness, personnel development, creativity, cross-cultural functionality, technical writing,
`and organizational leadership.
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`Applicable field of experience spans medical devices and equipment, electrical appliances
`and industrial equipment, RF / cable television, defense and aviation, consumer
`electronics, fiber optic, data and telecommunications, automotive / transportation / off-
`highway industries, supercomputer and computing devices, networks and servers, lighting,
`and electrical-electronics industries.
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`EMPLOYMENT HISTORY AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
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`APEX Electrical Interconnection Consultants, LLC
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`Harrisburg, PA
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`2002 to Present President, and Principal Consultant
`General management, direction, and long-term growth of consulting firm. Activities span
`initial client contact, quoting and proposal writing, attraction and coordination of associate
`experts before and during active project execution. Directly provide retained clients
`CORNING EXHIBIT 1004
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`independent expert consultations, advise and interpret strategic value, and expert witness
`activities. Assuring awareness and managing client understanding of capabilities and
`benefits of APEX expertise. Frequently engaged in patent interpretations, product failure
`investigations, design of new electromechanical devices, competitive product
`assessments, market studies, analytical testing and interpretation of results, and assessing
`supplier capabilities.
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`Stewart Connector Systems
`Glen Rock, PA
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`Insilco Technologies [Bel Fuse Inc. - Bel-Stewart Connector]
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`1997-2002
`Vice President, Product / Process Engineering
`Director, Product Development
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`Directed the engineering department accountable for the design and performance of
`company's family of modular jack and plug telecommunication connectors.
`Responsibilities included assuring product reliability through design robustness,
`spearheading the development and startup of a cost-efficient international supply base for
`components and tooling, coordinating twelve patent filings with outside counsel, high-level
`communication and collaboration with internal and external business partners. Key
`personal responsibilities included negotiating technology licensing arrangements and
`coordinating other business and legal issues.
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`Horseheads, NY
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`LRC Electronics
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`Augat [Thomas & Betts, Inc., Belden Corp.]
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`Engineering Director
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`1994-1997
`Responsible for the design, development, specifications, and technical performance of
`coaxial connectors and passive cable-TV devices. Direct oversight of staff accountable for
`product designs, materials, prototyping, performance testing, and documentation including
`product specifications, detail drawings, external counsel (patent applications), product
`instructions, and technical papers. Primary technical interface with other company
`divisions, as well as major customers that were constructing and maintaining CATV
`systems. Invented and developed new coaxial interconnection products, and coordinated
`competitive product assessments, and the filing of seven related utility patent applications.
`Invented product designs included those used with outdoor trunk line as well as drop-line /
`indoor coax cable TV applications, featuring labor-savings, ease-of-servicing, reliability,
`and performance enhancement, simple termination techniques, and cost reduction. Hired
`and led a 24-person technical team, and was responsible for equipment purchases to
`support product design and development, document control, simulation analysis, validation
`testing, and connector prototyping. Served as chief technical liaison with company
`headquarters and represented responsible groups and projects to other internal divisions.
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`Harrisburg, PA
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`Advanced Development Team Leader - Corporate R&D
`Project Team Leader - Product Design, Operations
`Product Marketing - Associate Manager
`Product Design Development Engineer
`Technical Product Support Engineer
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`AMP Incorporated
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`[Tyco Electronics, TE Connectivity]
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`1991-1994
`1988-1991
`1986-1988
`1983-1986
`1979-1983
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`Progressive and blended technical / business career path, with advancing emphasis on
`design and development of electromechanical connector products, including
`responsibilities in project management, marketing / business development, and cross-
`functional team leadership. Broad span of responsibilities including customer liaison in
`both technical and business capacities, and direct creative involvement with numerous
`product improvements, cost reductions, and new designs. Customers served were from
`the defense, computer, commercial, and industrial equipment business sectors.
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`United States Steel Corporation
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`1979
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`Supervising Foreman
`Accountable for oversight of, and quick-response by, skilled staff responsible for
`maintaining high performance levels of rolling mills, annealing furnaces, plating / finishing
`lines, and related manufacturing process equipment used in the production of finished
`rolled-steel products.
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`Pittsburgh, PA
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`Westinghouse Electric Corporation
`1978
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`Test Engineer
`Assisted with planning, fixture design, setup, execution, and report writing for earthquake
`withstand testing of large-scale nuclear power generation equipment.
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`Pittsburgh, PA
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`FMC Corporation (Syntron Division)
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`1977
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`Maintenance Technician
`Participated in performing regular maintenance duties of machines and production
`equipment used to create automated part feeders and material handling equipment.
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`Homer City, PA
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`FORMAL EDUCATION
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`B.S. Mechanical Engineering Technology
`Graduated 1979
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`Masters of Business Administration
`Partially Completed 1987
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`University of Pittsburgh
`Johnstown, PA
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`Shippensburg University
`Shippensburg, PA
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`PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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`Leadership, Motivation, Decision
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`Glastonbury, CT
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`Center For Creative Leadership
`Greensboro, NC
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`Pennsylvania State University
`State College, PA
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`AMP Incorporated
`Harrisburg, PA
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`Psychology and Impact of Decisions
`Certificate, 1995
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`On-Site Leadership Development, 1-Week
`Intensive Immersion Program
`Certificate, 1996
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`Leadership in Project Management
`Certificate, 2000
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`27 Design, Technology, and Strategic
`Business Courses
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`PUBLICATONS --
`NAMED INVENTOR ON THE FOLLOWING ISSUED U.S. PATENTS:
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`8740636
`7997910
`6676423
`6554638
`6428361
`6419526
`6409535
`6402559
`6398591
`6267628
`6217391
`6193542
`6179667
`6089912
`6039609
`5904596
`5807117
`5800211
`5769662
`5651698
`5368491
`5322461
`5240442
`5161996
`5147225
`5129831
`5125850
`5122079
`5064383
`5037323
`4685761
`4509258
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`Connectors for Electrically Active Grid
`Connectors for Electrically Active Grid
`Modular Electrical Connector Assembly Providing Electrostatic Discharge
`Modular Electrical Connector Assemblies with Magnetic Filter
`Surface Mountable Connector Assembly with Printed Circuit Board
`High Frequency Bi-Level Offset Multi-Port Jack
`Modular Plug and Cable Assembly
`Modular Plug, Cable Assembly, Load Bar and Terminal Blade
`Modular Jack for Tubular Enclosures
`High Frequency Multi-Port Multi-Level Jack Assembly
`Low Profile Jack and Communications Card
`Modular Plug and Cable Assembly
`High Frequency Connector with Contact Securing Insert
`Post-Less Coaxial Cable Connector
`Power Inserter Connector
`Cable Terminator
`Printed Circuit Board to Housing Interconnect System
`Snap Together CATV Connector for Indoor Use
`Snap Together Coaxial Connector for Polyethylene Jacket
`Coaxial Cable Connector
`High Density Electrical Connector
`Electrical Connector with Posts Having Improved Tip Geometry
`Electrical Connector with Posts Having Improved Tip Geometry
`Header Assembly and Alignment Assist Shroud Therefor
`Shroud-to-Board Polarization and Keying System
`Right Angle Header Shroud Polarization and Keying System
`Strain Relief for an Electrical Connector
`Multiple Conductor Cable Connector with Towers
`Multiple Conductor Cable Connector with Clip and Towers
`Header Assembly and Alignment Assist Shroud Therefor
`Electrical Contact Assembly and Method of Assembly
`Connector Centering Device and Method for Using
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`(Note: Foreign filings and pending applications are not listed)
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`LEGAL WORK EXPERIENCE
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`PPC Broadband, Inc. (d/b/a PPC) v. Corning Optical Communications RF, LLC United
`States Patent and Trademark Office (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) Todd Walters and
`Roger Lee, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC (Alexandria, VA) Prepared and filed expert
`reports (August 2016) supporting Petitions for Inter-Partes Review of electrical connector
`patents 8366481 and 8075338
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`FCA US, LLC v. Lear Corporation v. Delphi Connection Systems US, Inc. (f/k/a FCI
`Automotive USA, Inc.) Case Number 2015-146773-CK (Oakland County Circuit Court,
`State of Michigan) John Trentacosta, and Vanessa Miller, Foley & Lardner LLP (Detroit,
`MI) Prepared and filed an expert report (2016) and provided testimony in deposition
`(2016) with respect to a breach of warranty / fitness for purpose case involving failed
`electrical contacts
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`PPC Broadband, Inc. (d/b/a PPC) v. Corning Gilbert Inc. (d/b/a Corning Optical
`Communications RF, LLC) Civil Action Number 5:11-cv-0761 (United States District
`Court, Northern District of New York) Joseph Lavelle, DLA Piper LLP (Washington, D.C.)
`and Susan Acquista (San Diego, CA) Prepared and filed an expert report (October 2015)
`regarding Inequitable Conduct in an infringement case over electrical connector patents
`6558194 and 6848940
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`PPC Broadband, Inc. (d/b/a PPC) v. Corning Gilbert Inc. (d/b/a Corning Optical
`Communications RF, LLC) United States Patent and Trademark Office (Patent Trial and
`Appeal Board) Todd Walters and Roger Lee, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
`(Alexandria, VA) Prepared and filed expert reports (September 2015) supporting two
`Petitions for Inter-Partes Review of electrical connector patent 8647136
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`Complainant PPC Broadband, Inc. before the United States International Trade
`Commission (Washington, D.C.), re: Corning Optical Communications RF, LLC,
`Investigation No. 337-TA-938 Joseph Lavelle (Washington, D.C.) and Susan Acquista and
`Erin Gibson (both of San Diego, CA), and Aaron Fountain (Houston, TX), all of DLA Piper
`LLP Prepared and filed expert reports (June 2015, July 2015, and August 2015) and
`provided testimony in deposition (July 2015) and addressed various interrogatories (May
`2015) in an ITC investigation regarding electrical connector components and products on
`claims infringement and validity issues with respect to electrical connector patent 8801448
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`PPC Broadband, Inc. (d/b/a PPC) v. Corning Gilbert Inc. (d/b/a Corning Optical
`Communications RF, LLC) Civil Action Number 5:13-cv-0538 (United States District
`Court, Northern District of New York) Joseph Lavelle (Washington, D.C.) and Susan
`Acquista (San Diego, CA), DLA Piper LLP Prepared and filed expert reports (May 2015,
`June 2015, July 2015, and August 2015) in support of claims infringement and validity
`proceedings relating to electrical connector patent 6676446
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`PPC Broadband, Inc. (d/b/a PPC) v. Corning Gilbert Inc. (d/b/a Corning Optical
`Communications RF, LLC) United States Patent and Trademark Office (Patent Trial and
`Appeal Board) Todd Walters and Roger Lee, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
`(Alexandria, VA) Prepared and filed expert reports (April 2015 and August 2015) in
`response to a Petition for Ex-Partes Reexamination of electrical connector patent 7114990
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`PPC Broadband, Inc. (d/b/a PPC) v. Corning Gilbert Inc. (d/b/a Corning Optical
`Communications RF, LLC) Civil Action Number 5:12-cv-0911 (United States District
`Court, Northern District of New York) Joseph Lavelle, DLA Piper LLP (Washington, D.C.)
`Prepared and filed expert report (September 2014) in support of claims infringement and
`validity proceedings relating to electrical connector patent 8192237
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`PerfectVision Manufacturing vs. PPC Broadband, Inc. Civil Action Number 4:12-cv-
`00623 (United States District Court, Eastern Division of Arkansas, Western Division) Paul
`Chancellor, Ocean Law (Simi Valley, CA), Charles D. Davidson and David Gershner,
`Davidson Law Firm (Little Rock, AK), John Horvack, Jr., Carmody (New Haven, CT)
`Provided expert advice (August 2014) to counsel regarding a declaratory judgment claims
`infringement proceeding relating to electrical connector patents 8366481, 8485845,
`8480431, 8475205, 8480430, and 8469740
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`Corning Gilbert Inc. (d/b/a Corning Optical Communications RF, LLC) v. PPC
`Broadband, Inc. (d/b/a PPC) United States Patent and Trademark Office (Patent Trial and
`Appeal Board) IPR2014-00736 Todd Walters and Roger Lee, Buchanan Ingersoll &
`Rooney PC (Alexandria, VA) Prepared and filed expert reports (May 2014 and January
`2015) and provided testimony in deposition (October 2014) supporting a Petition for Inter-
`Partes Review of electrical connector patent 6676446
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`Corning Gilbert Inc. (d/b/a Corning Optical Communications RF, LLC) v. PPC
`Broadband, Inc. (d/b/a PPC) Civil Action Number 2:12-cv-02208 (United States District
`Court, District of Arizona) Joseph Lavelle, DLA Piper LLP (Washington, D.C.) Prepared
`and filed expert reports (May, July, Aug, and Nov 2014) and provided testimony in
`deposition (July and September 2014) and provided technical advice to counsel while
`conducting a deposition (August 2014) in support of claims infringement and validity
`proceedings relating to electrical connector patents 7114990 and 8172612
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`PPC Broadband, Inc. (d/b/a PPC) v. Corning Gilbert Inc. (d/b/a Corning Optical
`Communications RF, LLC) United States Patent and Trademark Office (Patent Trial and
`Appeal Board) Todd Walters and Roger Lee, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
`(Alexandria, VA) Prepared and filed expert reports (May 2014) in response to a Petition
`for Ex-Parte Reexamination of electrical connector patent 8172612
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`Corning Gilbert Inc. (d/b/a Corning Optical Communications RF, LLC) v. PPC
`Broadband, Inc. (d/b/a PPC) United States Patent and Trademark Office (Patent Trial and
`Appeal Board) Todd Walters and Roger Lee, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
`(Alexandria, VA) Prepared and filed expert reports (March 2014, July 2014, and May
`2015) supporting a Petition for Inter-Partes Reexamination of electrical connector patent
`8192237
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`PPC Broadband, Inc. (d/b/a PPC) v. Corning Gilbert Inc. (d/b/a Corning Optical
`Communications RF, LLC) Civil Action Number 5:13-cv-01310 (United States District
`Court, Northern District of New York) Joseph Lavelle, DLA Piper LLP (Washington, D.C.)
`Prepared and filed expert report (February 2014) supporting a preliminary injunction
`proceeding relating to electrical connector patents 8562366 and 8597041
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`Corning Gilbert Inc. (d/b/a Corning Optical Communications RF, LLC) v. PPC
`Broadband, Inc. (d/b/a PPC) United States Patent and Trademark Office (Patent Trial and
`Appeal Board) IPR2014-00441 Todd Walters and Roger Lee, Buchanan Ingersoll &
`Rooney PC (Alexandria, VA) Prepared and filed expert report (February 2014) and
`provided testimony in deposition (October 2014) supporting a Petition for Inter-Partes
`Review of electrical connector patent 8562366
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`Corning Gilbert Inc. (d/b/a Corning Optical Communications RF, LLC) v. PPC
`Broadband, Inc. (d/b/a PPC) United States Patent and Trademark Office (Patent Trial and
`Appeal Board) IPR2014-00440 Todd Walters and Roger Lee, Buchanan Ingersoll &
`Rooney PC (Alexandria, VA) Prepared and filed expert reports (February 2014 and
`February 2015) and provided testimony in deposition (October 2014) supporting a petition
`for Inter-Partes Review of electrical connector patent 8597041
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`John Mezzalingua Assoc., Inc. (d/b/a PPC) v. International Communications Mfg. Corp.,
`Randall A. Holliday & Belden, Inc. Case No. 3:11-cv-00424 (Western District of WI)
`Robert Silverman, Foley & Lardner LLP (Boston, MA). Prepared expert report; case
`stayed to arbitration (March 09, 2012). With respect to patents 6558194 and 6848940 for
`electrical connectors
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`Murata Corporation v. Insilco Corporation / Stewart Connector Systems, Inc. Martin
`Raskin, Wolf, Block, Schorr, and Solis-Cohen, LLC (New York, NY). Deposition, 2007.
`Regarding litigation over certain patents involving modular jack connectors
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`Cardinal Health301, Inc. (formerly Pyxis Corporation) v. Tyco Electronics Corporation,
`Thomas & Betts Corporation, REMEC, Inc. Case No. GIN 040706 (California Superior
`Court, North San Diego County Division). Michael Tracy, DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary
`(San Diego, CA). Provided technical investigations, reports, and trial exhibits identifying
`cause of failure. Court cleared defendant of breach of contract allegations (July 2006),
`regarding spring pin interconnections in a medical dispensing device
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`Panduit v. Insilco Corporation / Stewart Connector Systems, Inc. Douglas Anderson,
`Porter Wright Morris & Arthur (Columbus, OH). Provided input and made
`recommendations to a settlement conference (1999-2000, District of IL) with respect to
`litigation over a breach of warranty / fitness for use case over a modular jack connector
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`Insilco Corporation / Stewart Connector Systems, Inc. v. Sentinel Connector Systems
`(York County Court, State of Pennsylvania) Reese Griffiths, Barley Snyder (York, PA)
`and Hewitt Pate, Hunton & Williams LLP (Washington, D.C.). Conducted a detailed
`investigation tracing the origin of replicated design drawings, prepared data for trial
`exhibits, and provided testimony at trial (1998). Regarding litigation over theft of
`intellectual property / trade secrets case
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`Augat Corporation / LRC Electronics, Inc. v. John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc. Case
`No. 95-cv-1661 (Northern District of NY) Dean Bostock, Weingarten, Schurgin, Gagnebin,
`& Hayes (Boston, MA). Deposition, 1996. With respect to litigation over design aspects of
`certain coax connectors
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`Updated 30 July 2016
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