Litigation

Untitled case

Litigation (case filed)

2:25-cv-00781

Patents at issue (1)

11368537PTAB institution denied

Summary

A patent infringement lawsuit involving US patent 11368537 was filed in the Texas Eastern District Court under case number 2:25-cv-00781.

Case overview & background

Plain-language overview of the case: parties, accused product, patents at issue, and why the suit matters.

Case Overview and Background

Dynamic Mesh Networks, Inc. d/b/a MeshDynamics has initiated a patent infringement lawsuit against Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, under case number 2:25-cv-00781. The plaintiff, Dynamic Mesh Networks, Inc. d/b/a MeshDynamics, appears to be an operating company specializing in high-performance wireless mesh networking software and solutions for industrial, IoT, enterprise, defense, and homeland security applications, holding substantial patented intellectual property. The defendant, Cisco Systems, Inc., is a multinational technology conglomerate known for developing, manufacturing, and selling networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, and high-technology services, including products in networking, cybersecurity, and AI. The lawsuit alleges infringement by "Cisco Accused Products," which are understood to encompass Cisco's SD-WAN, VoIP, and mesh Wi-Fi technologies.

The litigation involves several patents. For the lead case, Dynamic Mesh Networks asserts U.S. Patent Nos. 7,420,952; 7,885,243; 7,894,385; 8,520,691; and 11,368,537. Additionally, a consolidated member case asserts U.S. Patent Nos. 8,514,852; 9,049,000; and 8,477,762. U.S. Patent No. 11,368,537 describes a high-performance wireless mesh network with data communication nodes organized in a tree-like structure, allowing access point nodes to dynamically adjust relationships based on latency and throughput. U.S. Patent No. 7,420,952 is related to an adaptive software layer for distributed wireless communication devices in a wireless network that enhances reliability, efficiency, and adaptability. The '7,885,243 patent focuses on improving wireless mesh network performance. The '7,894,385 patent also claims advancements in wireless mesh network performance through specific element combinations. U.S. Patent No. 8,520,691 is titled "Persistent Mesh for isolated mobile and temporal networking". Technical sketches for patents 8,514,852, 9,049,000, and 8,477,762 were not explicitly detailed in the provided search results. The case is being heard by Judge Rodney Gilstrap, a prominent judge for patent cases in the Eastern District of Texas.

The Eastern District of Texas (EDTX) remains a significant venue for patent litigation, consistently ranking as a top district for patent filings, particularly for cases brought by non-practicing entities (NPEs). Its reputation as a plaintiff-friendly forum, known for its "rocket docket" with fast trial schedules and judges experienced in patent cases, contributes to its popularity among patent holders. This strategic choice of venue for patent plaintiffs is also influenced by the court's local rules and discretionary practices that can make litigation predictably expensive for defendants, even after the TC Heartland decision. This case is further notable due to the linkage with several inter partes review (IPR) proceedings filed by Cisco against Dynamic Mesh Networks at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). For instance, IPR2025-01304, IPR2025-01523, and IPR2025-01569 were "Not Instituted - Procedural," while IPR2025-01303 was "Pending - Instituted". Specifically, for patent 11,368,537 (related to IPR2025-01303), institution was ultimately denied after Dynamic Mesh Networks disclaimed all claims and the entire term of the patent.

Key legal developments & outcome

Major rulings, motions, claim construction, settlements, and the present posture or final disposition.

Key Legal Developments and Outcome for Dynamic Mesh Networks, Inc. d/b/a MeshDynamics v. CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.

Case Number: 2:25-cv-00781
Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Patents at Issue: 11,368,537 (along with U.S. Patent Nos. 7,420,952; 7,885,243; 7,894,385; and 8,520,691, and for a member case, 8,514,852; 9,049,000; and 8,477,762)

This report focuses on the patent infringement lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Texas, distinguishing it from a similarly numbered civil rights case in the Western District of Washington.

Legal Developments:

  • Filing & Initial Pleadings:

    • Dynamic Mesh Networks, Inc. d/b/a MeshDynamics ("Plaintiff") filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Cisco Systems, Inc. ("Defendant") in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on August 12, 2025.
    • Cisco Systems, Inc. filed its Answers to Plaintiff's Complaints on September 18, 2025.
    • The lawsuit asserts infringement of multiple patents, including U.S. Patent No. 11,368,537. Other patents-in-suit include 7,420,952, 7,885,243, 7,894,385, and 8,520,691. A "member case" consolidated with this action also involves patents 8,514,852, 9,049,000, and 8,477,762.

  • Pre-trial Motions of Substance:

    • As of September 19, 2025, the Plaintiff filed a "Notice of Readiness for Scheduling Conference," indicating that there were no pending motions in the case at that time.

  • Claim Construction (Markman) Outcomes:

    • The "Notice of Readiness for Scheduling Conference" from September 19, 2025, mentioned that a previous consolidated case (C.A. No. 2:25-cv-00472-RWS-RSP) had a Markman Hearing set for August 14, 2026. The Plaintiff requested the court maintain a similar schedule for the current case. This suggests that a Markman hearing is anticipated but has not yet occurred in the present 2:25-cv-00781 case.

  • Discovery Milestones with Strategic Significance:

    • No specific strategic discovery milestones have been publicly detailed in the provided information.

  • Trial Events, Verdict, and Post-Trial Motions:

    • No information regarding trial events, verdicts, or post-trial motions is available, as the case appears to be in its early stages of litigation.

  • Settlement, Dismissal, Judgment, or Appeal:

    • The case remains active in the Eastern District of Texas.
    • The Plaintiff's "Notice of Readiness for Scheduling Conference" filed on September 19, 2025, suggests the case is moving towards a scheduling order and further pre-trial proceedings.

  • Parallel PTAB IPR/PGR Proceedings:

    • Two Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings, IPR2025-01304 and IPR2025-01523, have been initiated by Cisco Systems, Inc. against Dynamic Mesh Networks, Inc. d/b/a MeshDynamics. These IPRs involve some of the patents-in-suit, specifically U.S. Patent No. 7,885,243, but not explicitly patent 11,368,537 based on the provided snippets.
    • An expert witness, Professor R. Jacob Baker, provided a declaration for an inter partes review in IPR2025-01309, filed on August 28, 2025, which is related to "adjusting the frequency of an oscillator when a mobile terminal is in a folded condition," but it is not directly linked to patent 11,368,537 or the Dynamic Mesh Networks case against Cisco.

Current Posture:
The patent infringement litigation Dynamic Mesh Networks, Inc. d/b/a MeshDynamics v. CISCO SYSTEMS, INC., Case No. 2:25-cv-00781, is active in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Initial pleadings have been filed, and the parties are awaiting a scheduling conference to outline the path forward, including a future Markman hearing. Parallel IPR proceedings have been initiated for some of the asserted patents.

Plaintiff representatives

Counsel of record for the plaintiff(s): attorneys, firms, and roles (lead counsel, of counsel, local counsel).

Jennifer Parker Ainsworth of Wilson, Robertson & VanDeventer, P.C. is identified as counsel representing the plaintiff, Dynamic Mesh Networks, Inc. d/b/a MeshDynamics, in this patent infringement case.

Counsel of Record for Plaintiff(s):

  • Name and role: Jennifer Parker Ainsworth, Attorney (likely lead or significant counsel).
  • Firm and office location: Wilson, Robertson & VanDeventer, P.C. (also referred to as Wilson, Robertson & Cornelius, P.C.). The firm's office is located in Tyler, Texas.
  • Relevant patent litigation experience or notable past cases: Ms. Ainsworth's trial practice emphasizes patent and intellectual property litigation. She regularly handles complex patent infringement cases for technology and electronic manufacturing companies in the Eastern and Western Districts of Texas. She has extensive first-chair trial experience in both federal and state courts. Ms. Ainsworth has been recognized as a "Super Lawyer" in Litigation by Texas Monthly Magazine since 2006 (with selections spanning 2006-2020 and 2023-2025) and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. She is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Northern, Western, and Southern Districts of Texas, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Defendant representatives

Counsel of record for the defendant(s): attorneys, firms, and roles (lead counsel, of counsel, local counsel).

The defendant in this patent infringement case, 2:25-cv-00781, is Cisco Systems, Inc.. The following attorneys represent Cisco Systems, Inc.:

From Daignault Iyer LLP:

  • Elizabeth Bernard
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Daignault Iyer LLP
    • Office Location: (Needs further search for specific office location, but the firm has offices in Boston and New York according to their website)
    • Experience Note: Daignault Iyer LLP is known for its intellectual property litigation practice.
  • Lisa N. Phillips
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Daignault Iyer LLP
    • Office Location: (Needs further search for specific office location)
    • Experience Note: Daignault Iyer LLP is known for its intellectual property litigation practice.
  • Jason S Charkow
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Daignault Iyer LLP
    • Office Location: (Needs further search for specific office location)
    • Experience Note: Daignault Iyer LLP is known for its intellectual property litigation practice.
  • Taylor G. Lepore
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Daignault Iyer LLP
    • Office Location: (Needs further search for specific office location)
    • Experience Note: Daignault Iyer LLP is known for its intellectual property litigation practice.
  • Louay Meroueh
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Daignault Iyer LLP
    • Office Location: (Needs further search for specific office location)
    • Experience Note: Daignault Iyer LLP is known for its intellectual property litigation practice.
  • Scott R Samay
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Daignault Iyer LLP
    • Office Location: (Needs further search for specific office location)
    • Experience Note: Daignault Iyer LLP is known for its intellectual property litigation practice.
  • Erin Hadi
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Daignault Iyer LLP
    • Office Location: (Needs further search for specific office location)
    • Experience Note: Daignault Iyer LLP is known for its intellectual property litigation practice.
  • Donald Lee Jackson
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Daignault Iyer LLP
    • Office Location: (Needs further search for specific office location)
    • Experience Note: Daignault Iyer LLP is known for its intellectual property litigation practice.

From Desmarais LLP:

  • Ha Vu Thu Huynh
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Desmarais LLP
    • Office Location: (Needs further search for specific office location, firm has offices in New York and San Francisco)
    • Experience Note: Desmarais LLP is a well-regarded intellectual property litigation firm.
  • Lindsey Elizabeth Brandon Miller
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Desmarais LLP
    • Office Location: (Needs further search for specific office location)
    • Experience Note: Desmarais LLP is a well-regarded intellectual property litigation firm.
  • Ryan Thorne
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Desmarais LLP
    • Office Location: (Needs further search for specific office location)
    • Experience Note: Desmarais LLP is a well-regarded intellectual property litigation firm.
  • Michael R Rhodes
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Desmarais LLP
    • Office Location: San Francisco, CA
    • Experience Note: Desmarais LLP is a well-regarded intellectual property litigation firm.
  • Amy I. Wann
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Desmarais LLP
    • Office Location: New York, NY
    • Experience Note: Desmarais LLP is a well-regarded intellectual property litigation firm.
  • Emily Nicole Weber
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Desmarais LLP
    • Office Location: (Needs further search for specific office location)
    • Experience Note: Desmarais LLP is a well-regarded intellectual property litigation firm.
  • Tamir Packin
    • Role: Lead counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Desmarais LLP
    • Office Location: New York, NY
    • Experience Note: Desmarais LLP is a well-regarded intellectual property litigation firm.

Local Counsel:

  • Jennifer Parker Ainsworth
    • Role: Local Counsel
    • Firm: Wilson, Robertson & Vandeventer, P.C.
    • Office Location: Tyler, TX (implied by filings in EDTX)
    • Experience Note: Frequently appears as local counsel in patent cases in the Eastern District of Texas.
  • Melissa Richards Smith
    • Role: Local Counsel (likely)
    • Firm: Gillam & Smith, LLP
    • Office Location: Marshall, TX (implied by filings in EDTX)
    • Experience Note: Gillam & Smith is a prominent firm for local counsel in the Eastern District of Texas for patent litigation.

The roles of "lead counsel" for the attorneys from Daignault Iyer LLP and Desmarais LLP are inferred based on their firms' reputations as primary patent litigation counsel, but specific designations would typically be found in more detailed court filings like appearance forms, which were not directly accessible in the provided search snippets beyond general listings.