Peter A. Abruzzese

Peter has represented a number of major companies, including Sirius XM Radio Inc., ITT Corp., Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton, Westin and Caesars Palace. Most recently, he was lead IP counsel in Sirius XM’s major acquisition of Agero Connected Vehicle Telematics Services, and actively participated in concluding a series of contracts on behalf of Sirius XM with the major music labels Universal Music, Sony–BMG, Warner Music and EMI, for broadcasting rights. As a member of the litigation team, he also played a key role in successfully defending Sirius XM in breach of contract litigation — one brought by U.S. Electronics and the other by Howard Stern — and in patent infringement litigations brought by a number of NPEs (nonpracticing entities) related to software and products of Sirius XM.

Prior to joining the firm, Peter served for 25 years as intellectual property counsel to ITT Corp. For the past nine years he was associate general counsel – intellectual property, general patent counsel, department manager and vice president of ITT. He maintained the same position and titles at Starwood Hotels & Resorts following its acquisition of ITT and continued to be responsible for the full range of intellectual property activities of the companies of ITT and Starwood, including Sheraton, Caesars Palace, Westin and Starwood.

Peter’s legal, management and administrative responsibilities included preparation and negotiation of transactional contracts for trademark, technology and other IP licenses; acquisitions and divestitures; software system development; transitional services; and joint ventures, as well as the clearance, filing, prosecution and policing of an extensive trademark portfolio.