U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (transferred to N.D.W. Va.); U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (CDCA), located in Los Angeles, Orange County, and Riverside, operates within the Ninth Circuit. It has historically been a significant venue for patent litigation, ranking as the national leader in patent case filings from 2000 to 2010. More recently, it maintained its position among the top five districts for patent cases annually from 2008 to 2023, and in 2025, it saw 191 new patent cases, placing it 6th nationally. For all weighted filings in fiscal year 2024, the CDCA ranked 10th nationally. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC), based in Washington D.C., holds exclusive nationwide appellate jurisdiction over patent cases, ensuring uniformity in patent law interpretation.

The CDCA is not typically characterized as a "rocket docket." However, judges in California, including those in the CDCA, are generally receptive to dispositive motions and tend to rule on them with relative speed. While historically known for a speedy average time to trial, the court has recently gained attention for substantial jury verdicts in favor of plaintiffs, suggesting it may be a more favorable venue for strong patent cases. The CDCA also has a higher success rate for motions to transfer venue on convenience grounds, with a 71.4% success rate since 2020, compared to the national average of 45.1%. In terms of trial rates, patent cases in the CDCA averaged a low 1.5% in 2010, indicating a preference for out-of-court settlements.

Unlike many other patent-heavy jurisdictions, the Central District of California does not have district-wide patent local rules. This grants judges flexibility in managing patent cases. However, individual judges often incorporate their own patent rules through standing orders or adopt the Patent Local Rules from the Northern District of California, which provide structured timelines for disclosures and claim construction. The court's Patent Pilot Program, which assigned a majority of patent cases to specialized judges, became permanent in 2021 but was terminated effective March 30, 2024. As of that date, patent cases are assigned randomly, and the option to transfer to a patent program judge is no longer available.

A prominent case tracked in this court system is Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Amgen Inc., which was initially filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on January 10, 2024, but subsequently transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit later affirmed a decision by the N.D.W. Va. court denying Regeneron's motion for a preliminary injunction in this case. Another notable ruling from the CDCA came in Ravgen Inc. v. Quest Diagnostics Inc. (Jan. 18, 2022), where U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner dismissed willful and induced infringement claims, holding that such claims require pre-suit knowledge of the asserted patents. The Federal Circuit, as the ultimate arbiter of patent appeals, regularly issues decisions that shape patent litigation, including recent rulings on issues like artificial intelligence as an inventor, obviousness standards for design patents, and the application of prosecution disclaimer during inter partes reviews (IPRs).

The CDCA bench is substantial, with nearly 30 judges. While the Patent Pilot Program is no longer in effect, several judges have demonstrated significant experience in patent litigation. Notable judges include U.S. District Judge John Holcomb, who was a patent litigator before his appointment to the federal judiciary. U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II explicitly adopts the Northern District of California's Patent Local Rules in his standing orders, indicating a structured approach to patent cases. Magistrate Judge Gail J. Standish is recognized for her extensive background in patent litigation, having been selected multiple times as a top IP litigator in California. Additionally, U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner has issued significant rulings impacting patent claims.