Untitled case

This patent infringement litigation, Case No. 1:24-cv-01511, is a declaratory judgment action filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. The plaintiffs are BambuLab USA, Inc., along with Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Ltd., Bambulab Limited, Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co. Ltd., and Tuozhu Technology Limited, who are collectively involved in the manufacturing and sale of 3D printers and related technology. The defendant is Stratasys, Inc., a prominent company in the additive manufacturing industry, which initially brought infringement allegations against BambuLab USA. The accused products are 3D printers and associated methods, with BambuLab USA specifically identified as responsible for sales in the United States.

The sole patent at issue is U.S. Patent No. 9,421,713 B2, titled "Additive manufacturing method for printing three-dimensional parts with purge towers." This patent generally describes a method for 3D printing that includes the use of a "purge tower" to ensure proper extrusion of material, remove entrained gases and degraded materials, and bring the print head to a known operating state for subsequent layers, particularly when using different part and support materials. The case was initially filed in the Austin Division of the Western District of Texas, and while initially before Judge Robert Pitman, it has since been reassigned to Judge Alan D. Albright.

The Western District of Texas, particularly the Waco Division under Judge Albright, gained significant notoriety as a popular venue for patent cases due to its fast-track scheduling orders and the judge's stated interest in patent litigation, although a 2022 change randomized judge assignments in the Waco Division. This case, however, was filed in the Austin Division and was subsequently reassigned to Judge Albright, indicating its continued presence on his docket. The litigation is also notable for its connection to inter partes review (IPR) proceedings at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Several IPRs (IPR2025-00321, IPR2025-00311, and IPR2025-00354) have been initiated challenging the validity of the '713 patent, with Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Ltd., Bambulab Limited, Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co. Ltd., Tuozhu Technology Limited, and BambuLab USA, Inc. listed as opponents. These parallel proceedings are a common strategic element in modern patent litigation, impacting the procedural posture and potential outcomes of the district court case.

The case 1:24-cv-01511 in the Texas Western District Court is titled BambuLab USA, Inc. et al v. Stratasys, Inc.. The case was filed on December 9, 2024, as a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment of Non-Infringement by Tuozhu Technology Limited, BambuLab Limited, Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co., Ltd., BambuLab USA, Inc., and Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Ltd. against Stratasys, Inc..

Here's a chronological overview of the key legal developments:

Filing & Initial Pleadings:

• December 9, 2024: The case was initiated with a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment of Non-Infringement filed by BambuLab USA, Inc. et al. against Stratasys, Inc..
• March 25, 2025: Stratasys, Inc. filed an Answer to Counterclaims in Reply. It's noted that Stratasys had previously sued six foreign companies, but not BambuLab USA, Inc. (which is based in Austin, Texas), leading BambuLab USA to file this declaratory judgment action in the Western District of Texas. Stratasys had initiated related infringement suits in the Eastern District of Texas against foreign companies, which BambuLab argued should be dismissed in favor of the Western District action for complete adjudication involving all parties, including BambuLab USA as the entity responsible for US sales of the accused products.

Pre-trial motions of substance:

• March 27, 2025: The case was reassigned to Judge Alan D. Albright for all proceedings, with Judge Robert Pitman no longer assigned.

Claim Construction (Markman) Outcomes:

• October 6, 2025: A Markman Hearing has been scheduled for this date at 9:00 A.M. in Austin.

Discovery Milestones:

• Information regarding specific strategic discovery milestones is not readily available in the provided search results beyond general mentions of parties exchanging initial and additional disclosures in related PTAB proceedings.

Trial Events, Verdict, and Post-trial Motions:

• October 5, 2026: Jury Selection/Trial is set for this date in Austin before Judge Alan D. Albright.

Settlement, Dismissal, Judgment, or Appeal:

• The case is currently active and is proceeding towards trial in October 2026.

Parallel PTAB IPR/PGR Proceedings:

• Several Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings have been initiated by Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Ltd. (one of the plaintiffs in the district court case) against Stratasys, Inc., challenging patents related to 3D printing, including a patent involved in the underlying dispute. These include:
  • IPR2025-00257 (related to a "'660 Patent" titled "Heated Build Platform and System for Three Dimensional Printing Methods"), filed with institution occurring on June 6, 2025. In this IPR, the Petitioner (Shenzhen Tuozhu) stipulated that if IPR was instituted, they would not pursue the same grounds of invalidity in the related District Court Case No. 2:24-cv-00644 (E.D. Tex.) while the IPR is pending. The PTAB determined there was a reasonable likelihood that the Petitioner would prevail on at least one challenged claim and instituted the IPR.
  • IPR2025-00354 (Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co Ltd v. Stratasys Inc), filed on December 23, 2024, with institution on June 12, 2025.
  • Other related IPRs mentioned include IPR2025-00321 and IPR2025-00311.
• The district court case 1:24-cv-01511 in the Western District of Texas is explicitly referenced in the PTAB proceedings for IPR2025-00257 as a parallel proceeding.The patent infringement case BambuLab USA, Inc. et al v. Stratasys, Inc., Case No. 1:24-cv-01511, was filed in the Texas Western District Court on December 9, 2024. The case involves patent 9421713B2, although the initial complaint was for a Declaratory Judgment of Non-Infringement.

Here is a chronological summary of the key legal developments:

Filing & Initial Pleadings:

• December 9, 2024: Tuozhu Technology Limited, BambuLab Limited, Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co., Ltd., BambuLab USA, Inc., and Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Ltd. filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment of Non-Infringement against Stratasys, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division. This action followed Stratasys, Inc. suing six foreign companies for patent infringement in the Eastern District of Texas, but notably omitting BambuLab USA, Inc., which is based in Austin, Texas, and responsible for U.S. sales of the accused products.
• March 25, 2025: Stratasys, Inc. filed an Answer to Counterclaims in Reply.

Pre-trial Motions of Substance:

• March 27, 2025: The case was reassigned to Judge Alan D. Albright for all proceedings. Judge Robert Pitman was no longer assigned to the case.

Claim Construction (Markman) Outcomes:

• October 6, 2025: A Markman Hearing is scheduled to take place at 9:00 A.M. in Austin.

Discovery Milestones:

• While specific strategic discovery milestones are not detailed, related Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings indicate that parties have exchanged initial and additional disclosures in the broader dispute.

Trial Events, Verdict, and Post-trial Motions:

• October 5, 2026: Jury Selection and Trial are currently scheduled to begin in Austin before Judge Alan D. Albright.

Settlement, Dismissal, Judgment, or Appeal:

• The case remains active and is proceeding toward the scheduled trial in late 2026.

Parallel PTAB IPR/PGR Proceedings:

• Several Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings have been initiated by Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Ltd. (one of the plaintiffs in the district court case) challenging patents held by Stratasys, Inc. These include:
  • IPR2025-00257: This IPR, related to a patent titled "Heated Build Platform and System for Three Dimensional Printing Methods," was instituted on June 6, 2025. In this proceeding, Shenzhen Tuozhu stipulated that if the IPR was instituted, they would not pursue the same invalidity grounds in the parallel District Court Case No. 2:24-cv-00644 (E.D. Tex.) while the IPR is pending. The PTAB found a reasonable likelihood that the Petitioner would prevail on at least one challenged claim.
  • IPR2025-00354: Filed on December 23, 2024, by Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Ltd. against Stratasys, Inc., this IPR was instituted on June 12, 2025.
  • Other related IPRs mentioned in PTAB documents include IPR2025-00321 and IPR2025-00311.
• The district court case 1:24-cv-01511 is recognized as a parallel proceeding within these PTAB reviews.

The counsel of record representing the plaintiff(s) in BambuLab USA, Inc. et al v. Stratasys, Inc. (1:24-cv-01511, W.D. Tex.) are primarily from Fish & Richardson P.C., with local counsel also appearing. The case, a patent infringement and declaratory judgment action, was filed on December 9, 2024, and later reassigned to Judge Alan D. Albright on March 27, 2025.

The following attorneys represent the plaintiff(s), BambuLab USA, Inc. et al.:

• Ruffin B. Cordell

  • Role: Likely lead counsel or senior counsel.
  • Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C.
  • Office Location: Information not immediately available from the search snippets, but Fish & Richardson is a national firm with multiple offices.
  • Experience Note: Fish & Richardson is a prominent intellectual property law firm with extensive experience in patent litigation, representing both patent holders and accused infringers across various industries.

• Michael A. Vincent

  • Role: Likely lead counsel or senior counsel.
  • Firm: Fish & Richardson, P.C.
  • Office Location: Not specified in snippets.
  • Experience Note: See general firm experience for Fish & Richardson P.C.

• Thomas H. Reger, II

  • Role: Likely counsel.
  • Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C.
  • Office Location: Not specified in snippets.
  • Experience Note: See general firm experience for Fish & Richardson P.C.

• Aaron P. Pirouznia

  • Role: Likely counsel.
  • Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C.
  • Office Location: Not specified in snippets.
  • Experience Note: See general firm experience for Fish & Richardson P.C.

• Jessica H. Wang

  • Role: Likely counsel.
  • Firm: Fish & Richardson.
  • Office Location: Not specified in snippets.
  • Experience Note: See general firm experience for Fish & Richardson P.C.

• Menglin Sun

  • Role: Likely counsel.
  • Firm: Fish & Richardson.
  • Office Location: Not specified in snippets.
  • Experience Note: See general firm experience for Fish & Richardson P.C.

• Carl Edward Bruce

  • Role: Likely counsel.
  • Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C.
  • Office Location: Not specified in snippets.
  • Experience Note: See general firm experience for Fish & Richardson P.C.

• Brandon S. Avers

  • Role: Likely counsel.
  • Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C.
  • Office Location: Not specified in snippets.
  • Experience Note: See general firm experience for Fish & Richardson P.C.

• David M. Barkan

  • Role: Likely counsel.
  • Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C.
  • Office Location: Not specified in snippets.
  • Experience Note: See general firm experience for Fish & Richardson P.C.

• Gregory Phillip Love

  • Role: Likely local counsel.
  • Firm: Steckler Wayne Cherry & Love PLLC.
  • Office Location: Not specified in snippets.
  • Experience Note: Local counsel often assist out-of-state firms with specific court rules and procedures.

The search results confirm that BambuLab USA, Inc., Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co., Ltd., BambuLab Limited, and Tuozhu Technology Limited are the defendants in the case 1:24-cv-01511 in the Texas Western District Court. The attorneys identified as representing these defendants are primarily from Fish & Richardson P.C., with one attorney from Steckler Wayne Cherry & Love PLLC.

Here's a breakdown of the identified counsel for the defendant(s):

Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C.

• Ruffin B. Cordell

  • Role: Lead Counsel (implied by extensive experience in high-stakes patent litigation and lead counsel roles in numerous trials).
  • Office Location: Washington, D.C. and Dallas.
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: For over three decades, Ruffin Cordell has been lead counsel in multibillion-dollar, high-stakes patent and trade secret litigation worldwide, handling more than 70 cases at the ITC and over three dozen trials, including jury trials in the Eastern District of Texas. He represented a Fortune 50 consumer electronics manufacturer in its worldwide dispute with Qualcomm and secured a favorable settlement for Samsung in a case alleging infringement by mobile phones and tablets. He is also considered a visionary in handling Section 337 patent proceedings before the ITC.

• David M. Barkan

  • Role: Lead Counsel (described as lead counsel in dozens of semiconductor and software patent cases).
  • Office Location: Silicon Valley (Redwood City, CA) and Dallas.
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: A trial lawyer who has handled over 100 cases, primarily focusing on complex, competitor-to-competitor patent litigation, especially in semiconductor and software. He successfully obtained a dismissal with prejudice and an award of over $500,000 in attorneys' fees for Marvell Semiconductor against Realtek Semiconductor Corp.

• Thomas H. Reger, II

  • Role: Principal/Trial Lawyer.
  • Office Location: Dallas, TX.
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: A seasoned trial lawyer who leads patent and FRAND cases, he has won jury verdicts and summary judgments of non-infringement, invalidity, and patent exhaustion for defendants and has successfully defeated asserted patents at the ITC. He also participated in the Lawyer on Loan program through the Dallas County District Attorney's office, prosecuting more than 15 jury trials.

• Carl Edward Bruce

  • Role: Principal.
  • Office Location: Dallas, TX.
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: Protects clients' innovations by developing IP programs, patent portfolios, and managing patent litigation. He has led teams to three summary judgment wins in patent cases in the Eastern District of Texas and led a team that resulted in a jury finding all asserted claims of four patents invalid, saving clients an estimated $400 million.

• Aaron P. Pirouznia

  • Role: Principal/Associate (PacerMonitor lists him as P.C., Fish & Richardson; other sources say Principal and Associate. Given his experience, Principal is more likely now, but PacerMonitor does not specify role).
  • Office Location: Dallas, TX.
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: Focuses on complex patent litigation, with experience in all stages from pre-suit diligence to fact discovery and expert depositions. He has analyzed source code, semiconductor layouts, and handled cases involving various technologies. He previously worked as an electrical engineer designing satellite communication control systems.

• Michael A. Vincent

  • Role: Principal/Attorney.
  • Office Location: Dallas, TX.
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: Counsels clients in IP and commercial disputes with an emphasis on patent litigation, experienced in technologies including 3D printing, wireless communications, and semiconductors. He has appeared in over 100 U.S. district court cases and represents clients in IPRs and Federal Circuit appeals.

• Jessica H. Wang

  • Role: Associate.
  • Office Location: Redwood City, CA (Silicon Valley).
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: Focuses on patent litigation with a technical background in chemical engineering and biotechnology, working with technologies such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and batteries. She has experience in all stages of litigation, including conducting pre-suit diligence, analyzing infringement and invalidity, and drafting briefs.

• Menglin Sun

  • Role: Associate.
  • Office Location: Dallas, TX (implied by firm's Dallas office listings where other Fish & Richardson attorneys for this case are located, though her bio doesn't explicitly state the office).
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: Focuses on patent litigation and has provided litigation support for cases in the ITC, PTAB, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She has experience drafting various motions and briefs and performing legal research on patent and antitrust law.

• Brandon S. Avers

  • Role: Associate.
  • Office Location: Not explicitly stated in search results, but Fish & Richardson has offices in Dallas and Austin which are common for WDTX cases. (Likely Dallas, given other team members.)
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: Patent litigator handling cases across various industries and technologies, particularly in the mechanical engineering sector, with legal experience from pleadings to trial. He has worked on district court pre-trial matters and drafted pleadings and dispositive motions.

Firm: Steckler Wayne Cherry & Love PLLC

• Gregory Phillip Love
  • Role: Local Counsel (commonly seen for Texas-based firms when lead counsel is from out-of-state).
  • Office Location: Dallas, TX (Steckler Wayne Cherry & Love PLLC is based in Dallas).
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: (Specific to patent litigation for Gregory Phillip Love requires a more focused search, general firm information suggests commercial litigation).Here is the identified counsel of record representing the defendant(s) in the patent infringement case 1:24-cv-01511, BambuLab USA, Inc. et al v. Stratasys, Inc., in the Texas Western District Court:

Defendants: BambuLab USA, Inc., Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai Lunkuo Technology Co., Ltd., BambuLab Limited, Tuozhu Technology Limited.

Counsel for Defendants:

Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C.

• Ruffin B. Cordell

  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm and Office Location: Fish & Richardson P.C., Washington, D.C. and Dallas, TX.
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: Mr. Cordell is a highly experienced trial attorney with over three decades as lead counsel in high-stakes patent and trade secret litigation worldwide, including more than 70 cases at the ITC and over three dozen trials in U.S. District Courts.

• David M. Barkan

  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm and Office Location: Fish & Richardson P.C., Silicon Valley (Redwood City, CA) and Dallas, TX.
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: A trial lawyer who has handled over 100 cases, he is recognized for guiding companies through complex, competitor-to-competitor patent litigation, particularly in semiconductor and software technologies.

• Thomas H. Reger, II

  • Role: Principal / Trial Lawyer
  • Firm and Office Location: Fish & Richardson P.C., Dallas, TX.
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: Described as a "seasoned trial lawyer," Mr. Reger leads patent and FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) cases and has secured jury verdicts and summary judgments of non-infringement and invalidity for patent defendants.

• Carl Edward Bruce

  • Role: Principal
  • Firm and Office Location: Fish & Richardson P.C., Dallas, TX.
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: Mr. Bruce focuses on creating IP programs, patent portfolios, and managing patent litigation, with notable successes including summary judgment wins and a jury finding of invalidity that saved clients an estimated $400 million.

• Aaron P. Pirouznia

  • Role: Principal
  • Firm and Office Location: Fish & Richardson P.C., Dallas, TX.
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: Mr. Pirouznia emphasizes complex patent litigation, handling all stages from pre-suit diligence to expert depositions, and possesses a strong background in electrical engineering.

• Michael A. Vincent

  • Role: Principal / Attorney
  • Firm and Office Location: Fish & Richardson P.C., Dallas, TX.
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: Mr. Vincent counsels clients in intellectual property and commercial disputes with an emphasis on patent litigation, covering diverse technologies including 3D printing, and has appeared in over 100 U.S. district court cases.

• Jessica H. Wang

  • Role: Associate
  • Firm and Office Location: Fish & Richardson P.C., Redwood City, CA (Silicon Valley).
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: Ms. Wang focuses on patent litigation, leveraging her chemical engineering and biotechnology background to work across technologies like pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, with experience in various litigation stages from diligence to drafting briefs.

• Menglin Sun

  • Role: Associate
  • Firm and Office Location: Fish & Richardson P.C., likely Dallas, TX (based on firm office and team members).
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: Ms. Sun's practice focuses on patent litigation, providing support for cases before the ITC, PTAB, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and she has experience drafting motions and conducting legal research in patent and antitrust law.

• Brandon S. Avers

  • Role: Associate
  • Firm and Office Location: Fish & Richardson P.C., office location not explicitly stated but likely Dallas, TX (given the firm's presence and other team members).
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: A patent litigator handling cases across various industries and technologies, particularly in mechanical engineering, with experience in district court pre-trial matters, pleadings, and dispositive motions.

Firm: Steckler Wayne Cherry & Love PLLC

• Gregory Phillip Love
  • Role: Local Counsel (typical for Texas-based firms when lead counsel is from out-of-state).
  • Firm and Office Location: Steckler Wayne Cherry & Love PLLC, Dallas, TX.
  • Relevant Patent Litigation Experience: While specific patent litigation experience for Mr. Love was not immediately detailed, his firm, Steckler Wayne Cherry & Love PLLC, is a Dallas-based litigation firm, and local counsel often assist with procedural and local court matters.