Istvan Jonyer, Ph.D.
Software Expert Witness
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Dr. Istvan Jonyer is the rare software expert who has built, researched, and invested in the technologies at issue—a combination almost no other expert witness offers.
As an engineer at Nortel, he designed 3G wireless systems. At Google, he led global partnerships to launch Google TV with OEM partners worldwide. As a venture capital principal, he conducted technical due diligence on AI, telecom, and cloud investments. And as a professor and Ph.D. computer scientist (AI specialization), he has spent over 22 years explaining complex technology to non-technical audiences.
As a testifying expert, Dr. Jonyer has opined in U.S. District Court, ITC, PTAB, arbitration, and state courts on matters involving patent infringement, invalidity, breach of contract, trade secret misappropriation, and copyright infringement. He has been retained in cases against and on behalf of Google, Apple, Netflix, Roku, Nokia, and Cloudflare, working with leading IP litigation law firms including Ropes & Gray, Morgan Lewis, Alston & Bird, and Boies Schiller & Flexner.
Known for his ability to translate complex technologies into clear, accessible explanations, Dr. Jonyer has served as an expert for both plaintiffs and defendants.
Ph.D.
Dissertation: Context-Free Graph Grammar Induction Using the MDL Principle
Aug 2003
M.Sc.
May 2000
B.Sc.
May 1999
MBA,
May 2010
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Artificial Intelligence: Neural networks, deep learning, network analysis, clustering, supervised learning, reinforcement learning, GANs, generative AI, accelerators.
Networking and Telecommunications: Wireless communication, Mobile, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, 5G, Ad-hoc Networks, TCP/IP, Routing, Content delivery, CDN.
Smart TV and Streaming: Google TV, Chromecast, Roku, Android, Android TV.
Software Analysis: Computer Architecture, Cloud computing, Web applications, Internet computing
AWARDS and ACHIEVEMENTS
Academic Experience
His research focused on machine learning, including graph-based data mining, social network analysis, and genetic programming, with additional work in parallel computing. He published and presented at over 20 international conferences and workshops, earning the Best Paper Award (second place) at the Florida International Conference for Artificial Intelligence in 2003. His work was funded by the National Science Foundation.
Dr. Jonyer taught nine graduate and undergraduate courses, covering topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Theoretical Foundations, and Advanced Algorithms.
Operating Experience
As Google TV Global Head of Device Partnerships at Google, Dr. Jonyer led the partnership strategy for Google TV, an Android-based Smart TV platform. He developed high-level product strategies with CEOs and VPs of major OEMs like Sony, LG, and Intel, driving two successful product launches. He architected a scalable device launch process, enabling 10+ partners to launch independently with minimal Google support, earning the Outstanding Leadership Award. Jonyer owned the Google TV requirements and remote-control UX, resolved critical third-party software licensing issues, earning the Google TV Hall of Fame Award, and grew his team from 2 to 10 across Mountain View and Seoul.
Engineering Experience
Dr. Jonyer has extensive engineering experience across telecommunications and startup environments. As a Software Engineer at Nortel Networks, a multinational telecommunications firm, he designed key features for the Sprint Vision 3G mobile Internet packet data switching node (PDSN), implemented the Open Radio Protocol (Open-RP) using C and VxWorks, and optimized streaming performance to achieve a 20% increase in transmission speed. As Founder and CTO of Fantasy Brain, a big data analytics startup in fantasy sports, he invented and implemented the Fantasy IQ algorithms, architected the codebase, and led a team of seven engineers to deliver the product in four months. As Founder and CEO of KDResearch, a stock option search engine, he developed the key feature set and implemented the back-end architecture.
Venture Capital Experience
Dr. Jonyer has extensive venture capital experience in early-stage technology investments. As Managing Director at Sidespin Ventures, he handles deal sourcing, due diligence, and fundraising as an angel investor and general partner of a venture capital syndicate. As Principal at Nexstar Partners, a $100M early-growth fund, he focused on machine learning, AI (deep learning, neural networks, autonomous technologies), smart TV, media delivery, AR/VR, and telecommunications, emphasizing patentable technology differentiation and patent portfolio reviews. As Senior Associate at Pittsburgh Equity Partners, he conducted technical due diligence, developed an investment scorecard for disciplined evaluations, and sourced deals through relationships with CMU and regional VC networks. As a Summer Associate at New Venture Partners, a $750M global early-stage firm, he performed technical diligence on machine learning, video conferencing, and ad-tech opportunities, analyzed patent portfolio impacts, supported portfolio companies with financial projections, mapped the videoconferencing industry’s competitive landscape, sourced deals from academia, research labs, and tech giants, and pivoted portfolio company strategy to secure $3.2M in financing, leading to its acquisition by Comcast.
Expert Witness Experience
Dr. Jonyer has served in over a dozen cases, providing specialized knowledge in technology-related disputes, including breach of contract, intellectual property (patent and copyright), and terms of use disclosures. His expertise spans industries such as telecommunications, smart bed technology, and digital media, with a focus on complex contractual and technical issues. They have prepared detailed expert reports addressing contractual obligations, patent validity, and copyright infringement.
They have provided trial testimony in the U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire, and deposition testimony in multiple cases. Leveraging his ability to distill complex technical concepts into clear, accessible explanations, the expert effectively communicates with judges, jurors, and legal teams. His experience includes both plaintiff and defense engagements across federal and state courts, the USPTO PTAB, and the International Court of Arbitration. References from counsel in prior engagements are available upon request.
About Sidespin Group
Sidespin Group offers software expert witness services for litigation support in a range of specializations, including in telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and software development.