Board of Regents of the University of Texas System v. Nippon Telephone & Telegraph Corporation

The Firm represented The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System and Hydro-Quebec in a dispute over misappropriation of rechargeable battery technology developed by the University of Texas.

The case centered on high-performance, rechargeable batteries which were researched and patented by The University of Texas and licensed to energy provider, Hydro-Quebec. The University of Texas and Hydro-Quebec alleged that an NTT scientist, while working at the University under a visiting scientist program, breached non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements by using the University’s research to support a Japanese patent covering similar technology.

On appeal, the Firm defeated NTT’s attempt to avoid US jurisdiction by asserting foreign-sovereign status. The Fifth Circuit rejected the defense and remanded the case to Texas state court, where the parties ultimately reached a settlement agreement.