News Summary
In Texas, patent litigation is experiencing a remarkable increase, particularly in the Eastern District of Texas, which has become the leading venue for patent disputes. Notably, Judge Rodney Gilstrap has presided over a staggering number of new patent lawsuits, while the Western District is witnessing a significant decline. With a surge in damages awarded in patent disputes and a growing number of top law firms engaged, Texas is redefining the landscape of patent litigation, indicating a trend that could persist in the future.
Texas is witnessing a significant shift in the landscape of patent litigation, with the Eastern District of Texas (EDTX) reestablishing itself as the dominant venue for patent disputes. According to a report released by legal analytics firm Lex Machina, the EDTX has seen an increase in patent cases while the Western District of Texas (WDTX) has experienced a dramatic decline over the past year.
In 2024, U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap of Marshall reported an astonishing 795 new patent lawsuits, making him the most active judge in the country for patent cases. This number is six times higher than any other federal judge in the United States, solidifying the EDTX’s reputation as the preferred jurisdiction for patent-related litigation. Conversely, Judge Alan Albright of the WDTX ranked second with 124 new patent disputes, a significant drop from over 700 new cases in 2022.
The changes in patent litigation dynamics are highlighted by the performance of other Texas judges. Notably, three additional Texas federal judges—Robert Schroeder III, Robert Pitman, and Amos L. Mazzant—rank among the top ten nationwide for handling new patent lawsuits. Judge Schroeder saw his patent docket increase 600% from 25 cases in 2022 to 153 in 2023, reflecting the overall trend towards the EDTX.
The national landscape of patent infringement litigation has been under pressure, with a decline from 5,805 cases in 2015 to 3,115 in 2023, followed by some recovery to 3,806 cases in 2024. Within this context, the WDTX has stumbled, experiencing a 57% decrease in patent cases, plummeting from 878 new cases in 2022 to just 375 in 2023. This significant downturn can be attributed to a rule change in July 2022, which allowed new patent cases to be randomly assigned to multiple judges in the WDTX, diminishing the court’s previously centralized patent filings under Judge Albright.
In contrast, the EDTX’s patent docket surged remarkably, increasing from 470 new cases in 2022 to 1,069 in 2024. This growth signifies that one in five U.S. patent lawsuits were filed in the EDTX last year, reflecting the venue’s resurgence in popularity among patent holders and litigators alike.
The financial stakes in patent litigation are also on the rise, with reported damages exceeding $4.3 billion awarded across 90 cases in 2024—representing a 20% increase year-over-year. This trend is attracting top law firms from across the state, with Garteiser Honea (Tyler), Devlin Law Firm (Dallas), and McKool Smith (Dallas) among the leading firms filing patent cases. Furthermore, nine out of the top ten law firms involved in defending patent disputes in Texas are based in North Texas, including notable names like Fish & Richardson, Gillam & Smith, and DLA Piper.
As these dynamics continue to evolve, the Eastern District of Texas appears well-positioned to solidify its leadership in patent litigation even further. The increased filings and substantial financial awards suggest that businesses and attorneys are gravitating towards the EDTX for patent disputes. This shift may also be influenced by recent Federal Circuit decisions, such as EcoFactor v. Google, which have brought increased scrutiny to cases originating from the WDTX and reinforced the EDTX’s standing as a key jurisdiction for intellectual property enforcement.
In summary, the landscape of patent litigation in Texas has transformed considerably over the past two years, with the Eastern District of Texas reclaiming its dominance amid a continuing decline in the Western District. As these trends evolve, stakeholders in Texas’s legal and business communities are closely observing the implications for future patent disputes.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Dallas News: The Marshall Plan
- Wikipedia: Patent law
- Law360: 2024 Patent Litigation
- Google Search: Patent litigation Texas
- Charlotte Observer: Patent News
- Google Scholar: Patent litigation
- Texas Lawyer: From Waco to Washington
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Patent litigation
- Bloomberg Law: Alibaba Patent Suit
- Google News: Texas patent litigation
- Reuters: Samsung Patent Case
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
