Michael W. Gray

My focus

My practice is dedicated to helping high-tech clients navigate litigation and protect their intellectual property and trade secrets. I mainly focus on patent litigation involving technologies such as smartphones, computers, software, telecommunications, and secure computing. My background in mechanical engineering and experience as a drilling engineer allows me to provide clients with unique insight into the regulatory, technical, and IP issues within these industries.

I advise clients through all stages of litigation, from complaint to post-trial proceedings, and I am experienced in post-grant reviews at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, related appeals, and JAMS arbitrations in California.

Representative experience

• Mobile network telecommunications corporation: Advised on patent litigation involving 12 patents relating to voice-over packet technology in the District Court of Kansas and the District Court of Delaware.
• Computing and digital rights management company: Advised on its ongoing effort to enforce its patents related to data security and digital rights management.
• Statutory patent trust: Advised both at trial and on appeal in its effort to enforce fundamental patents related to video compression technology.
• Global telecommunications company: Advised them before the International Trade Commission in a patent dispute seeking to enforce patents related to digital content transmission technology.
• Global entertainment company: Represented in a months-long copyright and trade secret misappropriation jury trial.

Looking ahead

IP monetization efforts are experiencing significant growth. The emergence of new funding sources and vehicles is powering much of this growth, and, as always, there are challenges to changes in the status quo. Challenges include pure competition, regulatory oversight, judiciary intervention, and forum constraints.

Insights

• “Promoting Equality: Examining Pro Bono Power in Civil Rights, Immigration and Racial Justice,” Houston Young Lawyers Association, August 15, 2023
• “Intellectual Property Law,” Houston Northwest Bar Association, May 17, 2023
• “Colonial Pipeline 2021 Ransomware Incident and Responses, Oil and Gas E-Report,” Institute for Energy Law, The Center for American and International Law (CAIL), December 2022
• “Basics of Intellectual Property Law,” Society of Petroleum Engineers CE, Houston, Texas, August 29, 2018
• “Intellectual Property Law for Engineers,” American Society of Mechanical Engineers CE, Houston, Texas, April 26, 2018
• “Patents and Trade Secrets,” Society of Petroleum Engineers CE, Houston, Texas, January 24, 2018
• “Legal and Regulatory Issues Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing,” Petroleum ETC Frac School, San Antonio, Texas, June 7, 2017
• “Current Regulatory Issues Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing,” Society of Petroleum Engineers Hydraulic Fracturing Technical Conference 2017, The Woodlands, Texas, January 25, 2017 (keynote speaker)
• “Current Regulatory Issues Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing,” Society of Petroleum Engineers Paper SPE-184859-MS, January 25, 2017
• “Basics of Intellectual Property Law,” Society of Petroleum Engineers Continuing Education Session, Houston, Texas, January 17, 2017
• “Legal and Regulatory Issues Affecting Hydraulic Fracturing,” Petroleum ETC Frac School, Houston, Texas, June 14, 2016