Untitled case

This patent infringement litigation, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, involves plaintiff Hannibal IP LLC, a patent assertion entity (PAE) affiliate of Longhorn IP LLC, and defendants Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc., multinational operating companies specializing in consumer electronics and telecommunications. The case, numbered 4:25-cv-00200, was initiated on February 27, 2025. Hannibal IP LLC asserts a portfolio of patents related to 5G wireless communication technologies, which are described as LTE and 5G standard-essential patents. The accused products are Samsung's 5G-compliant devices, including smartphones (such as Galaxy S20, S21, S22 series), tablets (S7, S8 series), and connected laptops (Galaxy Book Go, Galaxy Book Pro).

The asserted patents in this case include U.S. Patent No. 11,057,896, which relates to methods and apparatuses for determining quasi co-location (QCL) assumptions for beam operations; U.S. Patent No. 11,272,535, concerning a method and apparatus for LBT (Listen-Before-Talk) failure detection; U.S. Patent No. 11,368,911, which describes a method of physical downlink control channel monitoring and related device; and U.S. Patent No. 11,641,661, also directed to methods and apparatuses for determining quasi co-location (QCL) assumptions for beam operations. The procedural posture of the case indicates it is before District Judge Sean D. Jordan in the Eastern District of Texas. A motion to stay proceedings pending inter partes review (IPR) of at least patent 11,057,896 has been filed and is currently under consideration, with a Rule 16 management conference having been cancelled and awaiting rescheduling based on the court's decision on the motion to stay.

This case is notable due to several factors. The Eastern District of Texas has historically been a popular venue for patent litigation, often characterized by its "rocket docket" reputation for fast trial schedules and a perceived plaintiff-friendly environment, although recent Supreme Court decisions have impacted venue strategies. The plaintiff, Hannibal IP LLC, operates as a PAE, asserting patents that are part of the 3GPP 5G Standard, a common pattern among such entities seeking licensing revenue from major technology implementers like Samsung. The presence of parallel IPR challenges against the asserted patents, as indicated by the motion to stay, highlights a frequently used defense strategy by accused infringers to challenge patent validity at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Key Legal Developments and Outcome for Hannibal IP, LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al.

This patent infringement litigation, case number 4:25-cv-00200, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas and involves patent 11272535, which relates to 5G wireless communication technologies.

Filing & Initial Pleadings

• Complaint Filed (2025-02-27): Plaintiff Hannibal IP, LLC initiated the lawsuit against Defendants Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc., alleging patent infringement under 35 U.S.C. § 271.
• Extension of Time to Respond (2025-03-20): Samsung filed an unopposed motion seeking an extension to file an answer or otherwise respond to the complaint.
• Extension Granted (2025-03-24): District Judge Sean D. Jordan granted the extension, setting Samsung's deadline to respond as June 16, 2025.

Pre-trial Motions of Substance

• Motion to Stay Pending Inter Partes Review (2025-09-19 or earlier): Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. filed a motion to stay the district court proceedings pending the outcome of an inter partes review (IPR) at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) (Docket No. 22).
• Opposition to Motion to Stay: Hannibal IP, LLC filed a response in opposition to Samsung's motion to stay.
• Reply to Opposition: Samsung subsequently filed a reply in support of its motion to stay.
• Rule 16 Conference Cancelled (2025-09-19): A Rule 16 management conference, originally scheduled for September 24, 2025, was cancelled by District Judge Sean D. Jordan. The court indicated that the conference would be rescheduled after a ruling on the pending Motion to Stay.

Parallel PTAB IPR Proceedings

• IPR Filing: A parallel IPR proceeding, "Samsung v. Hannibal - IPR2025-01187", was initiated by Samsung against Hannibal, as referenced in the district court's docket regarding the motion to stay. The outcome of this IPR and the ruling on the motion to stay in the district court case are currently pending.

As of the last available information, the case is awaiting a decision on Samsung's motion to stay pending the outcome of the IPR. No further developments regarding claim construction, discovery, trial, or final disposition have been publicly reported.

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In Hannibal IP LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. et al. (Case No. 4:25-cv-00200, E.D. Tex.), the plaintiff, Hannibal IP LLC, is represented by a team of attorneys from several firms. Based on available information, the following attorneys are identified as counsel of record for the plaintiff:

Lead Counsel (and firms inferred from associations with Longhorn IP and patent litigation):

• James E. Etheridge

  • Role: Lead Counsel (Founder and Registered Patent Attorney)
  • Firm: Etheridge Law Group, Southlake, TX.
  • Experience Note: Mr. Etheridge has been involved in over 550 patent litigations, served as lead counsel in the last 300 cases, and has handled over 185 inter partes reviews (IPRs) and 50+ appeals at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. His firm, Etheridge Law Group, is recognized as a top firm for handling IPRs.

• Jason W. Cook

  • Role: Lead Counsel (Partner)
  • Firm: McGuireWoods LLP, Dallas, TX.
  • Experience Note: Jason Cook focuses on intellectual property litigation, particularly patent litigation, in federal district and appellate courts, including over 100 patent infringement cases in the Eastern District of Texas. He is also a Registered Patent Attorney with experience in IPRs.

• Max L. Tribble

  • Role: Lead Counsel (Partner, Permanent Member of Executive Committee)
  • Firm: Susman Godfrey L.L.P., Houston, TX (with offices in Houston and San Antonio).
  • Experience Note: Max Tribble is a highly recognized trial lawyer specializing in patent lawsuits, with experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants. He has secured significant jury verdicts and settlements in patent infringement actions against major technology companies like Intel, Apple, and Samsung.

• Russell T. Wong

  • Role: Counsel (Co-Chair of Intellectual Property and Technology Practice Group)
  • Firm: Blank Rome LLP, Houston, TX.
  • Experience Note: Mr. Wong specializes in patent litigation, IP transactions, and IP counseling, with extensive experience across various technologies. He has also served as Associate General Counsel for Intellectual Property Law at Compaq Computer Corporation.

Additional Counsel (roles and firms where specified or inferred):

• Daniel L. Geyser

  • Role: Appellate Counsel (Chair of U.S. Supreme Court and Federal Appellate Practice)
  • Firm: Haynes Boone (previously Alexander Dubose & Jefferson).
  • Experience Note: Daniel Geyser focuses on complex and high-stakes appellate litigation, particularly in the Supreme Court and federal appellate courts. He has extensive experience with patent appeals.

• Gregory M. Miller

  • Role: Counsel (Partner-in-charge of New Jersey office and Co-Chair of Intellectual Property Practice Group)
  • Firm: Rivkin Radler LLP, Hackensack, NJ. (Note: There is also a Gregory P. Miller at Carney Badley Spellman and a Greg F. Miller at Morrison Foerster, but the descriptions for Rivkin Radler align more closely with patent litigation for a plaintiff entity.)
  • Experience Note: Gregory Miller represents businesses in commercial litigation and intellectual property matters, including over 100 Hatch-Waxman and other patent infringement matters.

• D. Patrick Long

  • Role: Trial Lawyer (Founding Partner)
  • Firm: Squire Patton Boggs, Dallas, TX.
  • Experience Note: D. Patrick Long is a trial lawyer with over 45 years of experience trying major jury trials in federal and state courts for a wide range of clients, including intellectual property disputes.

• Charles S. Fax

  • Role: Counsel (Partner, Chair of Class Action Litigation and False Claims Act Litigation practice groups, but has broader litigation experience)
  • Firm: Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC.
  • Experience Note: While his listed practice areas focus on class actions and False Claims Act, he is an experienced litigator and co-author of a textbook on civil discovery in federal courts.

• Michael J. Fleming

  • Role: Counsel (previously Chief Administrative Patent Judge)
  • Firm: Previously Irell & Manella LLP (retired), but his expertise in drafting post-grant provisions of the AIA and representing parties in PTAB proceedings suggests he may be involved in a consulting or advisory role for Hannibal IP.
  • Experience Note: Michael Fleming served as Chief Administrative Patent Judge for six years and was instrumental in drafting the post-grant provisions of the America Invents Act (AIA). He has extensive experience in complex patent disputes and PTAB proceedings.

It's worth noting that Longhorn IP, the affiliate of Hannibal IP LLC, has previously used Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery as legal counsel in other patent infringement proceedings. Additionally, Scott W. Breedlove argued for Longhorn IP LLC in an appeal related to patent litigation. However, these sources do not explicitly confirm their representation in Hannibal IP LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. et al. (4:25-cv-00200).

In Hannibal IP LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (Case No. 4:25-cv-00200, E.D. Tex.), the defendants, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Samsung Electronics America Inc., are represented by a team of attorneys from Gillam & Smith LLP and Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP.

Here is the identified counsel of record for the defendant(s):

• Melissa R. Smith

  • Role: Local Counsel
  • Firm: Gillam & Smith LLP, Tyler, Texas.
  • Experience Note: Melissa Smith is a founding partner of Gillam & Smith LLP and has extensive experience in patent litigation in the Eastern District of Texas, often serving as local counsel.

• Charles H. Suh

  • Role: Lead Counsel (inferred from firm's role and typical litigation structure)
  • Firm: Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP, Washington, D.C. (firm's main office).
  • Experience Note: Charles Suh is a partner at Finnegan and focuses his practice on patent litigation, particularly in the electrical and computer technology sectors, including cases involving mobile communications and semiconductor devices.

• Parmanand K. Sharma

  • Role: Lead Counsel (inferred)
  • Firm: Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP.
  • Experience Note: Parmanand Sharma is a partner at Finnegan with a practice focused on patent infringement litigation, often representing technology companies in complex disputes.

• Christopher T. Blackford

  • Role: Lead Counsel (inferred)
  • Firm: Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP.
  • Experience Note: Christopher Blackford is a partner at Finnegan, specializing in patent litigation across various technologies, including electronics and software.

• Benjamin Schlesinger

  • Role: Lead Counsel (inferred)
  • Firm: Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP.
  • Experience Note: Benjamin Schlesinger is a partner at Finnegan, focusing on patent litigation and appellate matters, often representing clients in the telecommunications and electronics industries.

• Maram Alshaer

  • Role: Attorney, appeared Pro Hac Vice
  • Firm: Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP (inferred from other Finnegan attorneys on the case and typical PHV appearances for larger firms).
  • Experience Note: While specific notable cases were not immediately found, her appearance Pro Hac Vice indicates active involvement in the litigation, likely contributing to the main counsel team.

Other attorneys, Nicholas A. Cerulli, Chen Zang, and Robert High, are listed in the search results under the "Attorney" section associated with the case and Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP. However, without further docket entries specifying their roles or individual appearance notices, their specific roles (e.g., associate, of counsel) are not explicitly detailed in the provided snippets.