E.D. Texas

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (E.D. Tex.) is a federal court in the Fifth Circuit, though appeals for patent claims are directed to the Federal Circuit. The court maintains divisions in Beaumont, Lufkin, Marshall, Plano, Sherman, Texarkana, and Tyler, with its headquarters in Tyler. The Eastern District of Texas has historically been a dominant venue for patent litigation, often hosting a significant percentage of national patent filings. While its share saw a decline after the 2017 TC Heartland Supreme Court decision, the EDTX has recently re-emerged as the most active venue for patent litigation.

The E.D. Texas has long been characterized as a "rocket docket" due to its expedited trials and plaintiff-friendly reputation, though some analyses suggest its plaintiff-friendliness may be overstated by raw win rates. The district has been known for quick time-to-trial metrics, with a median time of 1.8 years in 2022, making it one of the fastest venues nationally. The court's track record on transfer motions has historically been to deny a significant majority, though the Federal Circuit has increasingly scrutinized these decisions, reversing or remanding denials in several mandamus proceedings.

The E.D. Texas employs distinctive Local Patent Rules (LPRs) that apply to all civil actions alleging utility patent infringement. These rules mandate specific disclosures for case management, infringement and invalidity contentions, and claim construction. Judges within the district may also issue specific standing orders, such as Chief Judge Gilstrap's order regarding subject matter eligibility contentions. The court also offers an optional "Track B" fast-track case schedule.

The court's patent docket includes cases such as HyperQuery LLC v. BigCommerce Pty Ltd, HyperQuery LLC v. Creatio Emea Ltd, and HyperQuery LLC v. Chaos Software GmbH et al., which are currently open. In 2025, the Eastern District of Texas was the top patent district for overall and non-practicing entity (NPE) litigation, and six of the ten largest patent damage awards in 2025 were returned by E.D. Texas juries.

Among the prominent judges handling patent cases in the E.D. Texas are Chief Judge Rodney Gilstrap and Judge Robert W. Schroeder III. Judge Gilstrap has consistently been noted as the nation's busiest patent judge, overseeing a substantial portion of all patent infringement cases filed nationally, including 19% of new patent litigation in 2025. Judge Schroeder is also highly active in patent litigation, having handled significant cases, including VirnetX v. Apple. Both judges have a reputation for moving cases quickly to trial.The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (E.D. Tex.) is a federal court operating within the Fifth Circuit, with patent claims appealed to the Federal Circuit. The court maintains divisions across seven cities, including Beaumont, Marshall, Plano, Sherman, and Tyler, which serves as its headquarters. Historically, the E.D. Texas has been a major hub for patent litigation, and despite a dip in filings post-2017's TC Heartland decision, it has recently re-established itself as the most active venue for patent lawsuits in the nation.

The E.D. Texas is widely known as a "rocket docket" for patent cases, characterized by its expedited trial schedule and reputation for being plaintiff-friendly. While the perception of plaintiff-friendliness is strong, some analyses suggest win rates may not always align with this reputation. The district boasts one of the fastest median times to trial, reported at 1.8 years in 2022. The court's practice on transfer motions has generally involved denying a majority, although the Federal Circuit has increased its scrutiny through mandamus petitions, leading to reversals or remands of transfer denials.

Distinctive to the E.D. Texas are its comprehensive Local Patent Rules (LPRs), which govern all civil actions involving utility patent infringement. These rules dictate mandatory disclosures for case management, infringement contentions, invalidity contentions, and claim construction. The court also provides specific forms for patent cases, such as a Model Order Focusing Patent Claims and Prior Art, and offers an optional "Track B" fast-track case schedule. Individual judges may also issue standing orders, such as Chief Judge Gilstrap's order concerning subject matter eligibility contentions.

Current tracked cases in the E.D. Texas include HyperQuery LLC v. BigCommerce Pty Ltd, HyperQuery LLC v. Creatio Emea Ltd, and HyperQuery LLC v. Chaos Software GmbH et al., all of which are open. The district continues to be a venue for high-stakes patent disputes; in 2025, it was the top district for overall and non-practicing entity (NPE) patent litigation, and its juries awarded six of the ten largest patent damages that year.

Leading patent judges in the Eastern District of Texas include Chief Judge Rodney Gilstrap and Judge Robert W. Schroeder III. Judge Gilstrap is frequently cited as the busiest patent judge in the United States, having been assigned 19% of all new patent litigation in 2025 and presiding over more than a quarter of all patent infringement cases filed nationally in previous years. Judge Schroeder is also a highly active patent judge, known for his involvement in notable cases like VirnetX v. Apple. Both judges are recognized for their commitment to expeditiously moving patent cases towards trial.