Cobblestone Wireless LLC v. Apple Inc.

Cobblestone Wireless LLC, a known Non-Practicing Entity (NPE) and an entity of Bedrock IP Co., Ltd., has initiated patent infringement litigation against Apple Inc., a global technology leader. Cobblestone Wireless LLC is further identified as being managed by Jay Chung and owned by Granite IP, LLC. The core of the dispute centers on US Patent 7,924,802, which generally describes wireless communication systems and methods that transmit signals simultaneously over a communication channel at different radio frequency (RF) center frequencies. While the specific accused products in this case are not exhaustively detailed in the immediate docket entries for the '802 patent, similar complaints filed by Cobblestone Wireless against other defendants, asserting related patents, have targeted cellular base stations and handsets supporting 3GPP 5G NR beamforming, including various models of Apple's iPhones. Therefore, it is highly probable that Apple's iPhones and other devices employing advanced wireless communication capabilities are the subject of the infringement allegations.

The lawsuit was filed in the Western District of Texas (WDTX) on September 20, 2024, under case number 7:24-cv-00232. The specific judge assigned to this case is not identified in the available information. The Western District of Texas remains a significant venue for patent infringement cases, known for its busy patent docket and historically swift progression to trial, often making it an attractive forum for patent plaintiffs.

This case is notable due to Cobblestone Wireless LLC's status as an NPE, engaged in a broad assertion campaign involving the '802 patent. The patent has been asserted against a range of other major technology and telecommunications companies, including Samsung, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Cisco, HP Enterprises, and CommScope. Furthermore, the '802 patent is currently facing an ex parte reexamination proceeding, which was initiated by Unified Patents on March 26, 2024. The Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) granted Unified Patents' request on June 14, 2024, finding "substantial new questions of patentability" on claims 1-15 and 17-23 of the '802 patent, indicating a significant challenge to the patent's validity. This parallel reexamination process adds a critical layer to the litigation, as its outcome could directly impact the infringement claims in the district court.

Cobblestone Wireless LLC filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas (7:24-cv-00232) on September 20, 2024, alleging infringement of U.S. Patent 7,924,802. The case is currently active.

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

1. Filing & Initial Pleadings:

• Complaint Filed (2024-09-20): Cobblestone Wireless LLC initiated the lawsuit against Apple Inc. in the Western District of Texas, asserting infringement of U.S. Patent 7,924,802.

2. Parallel PTAB IPR/Reexamination Proceedings:

• Ex Parte Reexamination Filed (2024-03-26): Before Cobblestone filed its lawsuit against Apple, Unified Patents filed an ex parte reexamination proceeding against U.S. Patent 7,924,802, owned by Cobblestone Wireless, LLC.
• Reexamination Instituted (2024-06-14): The Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) granted Unified Patents' request for ex parte reexamination, finding substantial new questions of patentability for claims 1-15 and 17-23 of the '802 patent.
• Qualcomm IPR Filed (2024-08-28): Qualcomm, Inc. filed an Inter Partes Review (IPR) petition (IPR2024-01336) against U.S. Patent 7,924,802.
• Qualcomm IPR Instituted (2025-03-07): The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) instituted the IPR petition filed by Qualcomm.
• Other IPRs by Apple (2025-08-29): Apple Inc. was involved in two other IPRs related to Cobblestone Wireless LLC: IPR2025-01497 (filed 2025-08-29), which was "Not Instituted - Procedural", and IPR2025-01428 (filed 2025-08-29), which resulted in a "Procedural Termination".
• Qualcomm IPR Final Decision (2026-03-05): A final decision was made in Qualcomm's IPR (IPR2024-01336) against the '802 patent. The specifics of this decision (e.g., claims found unpatentable) are not publicly detailed in the search results but a final decision has been rendered.

3. Pre-trial Motions and Discovery Milestones (WDTX Case):

• Case Reassigned (2026-05-04): The case was reassigned from Judge Alan D. Albright to Judge David Counts for all proceedings.
• Attorney Appearances (2026-05-04, 2026-05-05, 2026-05-07): Multiple attorneys filed notices of appearance for both Cobblestone Wireless and Apple.
• Joint Status Report on Case Narrowing (2026-05-07): The parties filed a joint status report regarding case narrowing.
• Plaintiff's Motions (2026-05-07): Cobblestone Wireless LLC filed an affidavit in support of a motion for partial summary judgment on Apple's affirmative defenses 10 and 11. On the same day, Cobblestone also filed affidavits in support of motions to exclude opinions of Dr. Bims and Ms. Rowe, indicating active expert discovery and challenges to expert testimony.

4. Claim Construction (Markman):

• No specific Markman hearing or order has been detailed in the search results for this particular case (7:24-cv-00232) yet. However, given the motions in May 2026, it is plausible that claim construction has either occurred or is actively being briefed/scheduled.

5. Outcome/Present Posture:

• The case (7:24-cv-00232) is currently "Open" in the Western District of Texas. There has been no settlement, dismissal, judgment, or appeal in the district court litigation itself as of the current date (2026-05-25). The recent filings indicate that the case is in an active pre-trial phase, with motions related to summary judgment and expert testimony pending.

The plaintiff, Cobblestone Wireless LLC, is represented by attorneys from Russ August & Kabat, with additional counsel from a Texas-based firm. The following individuals are counsel of record:

Russ August & Kabat (Los Angeles, CA)

• Marc A. Fenster - Lead Counsel
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Note: Co-Chair of the firm's Litigation Department and head of its Intellectual Property Practice. He has secured significant victories for patent holders, including a $1.85 billion judgment for clients in a patent infringement case. He is recognized as a leading patent litigator nationally.
• Reza Mirzaie - Lead Counsel
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Note: Specializes in intellectual property litigation, particularly patent and trade secret cases, and has played key roles in numerous high-stakes patent disputes. He has been actively filing on the docket in this case as recently as May 7, 2026.
• Amy Hayden - Counsel
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Note: Focuses on intellectual property litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in patent, copyright, and trade secret matters.
• Christian W. Conkle - Counsel
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Note: His practice focuses on intellectual property litigation, with experience across a range of technologies.
• Jonathan Ma - Counsel
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Note: Practices intellectual property and complex commercial litigation, with a background in electrical engineering. He has filed affidavits in support of motions in this case.
• Neil A. Rubin - Counsel
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Note: A litigator with experience in intellectual property and complex commercial disputes.
• Jacob R. Buczko - Counsel
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Note: Focuses on patent and other intellectual property litigation.
• Qi (Peter) Tong - Counsel
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Note: Practices intellectual property litigation.
• Matthew Aichele - Counsel
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Note: His practice includes intellectual property litigation.

Additional Counsel

• Mackenzie Paladino - Counsel
  • Firm: [Firm information not explicitly provided in search results for this case, but her appearance was noted on May 5, 2026]
  • Note: She recently filed a Notice of Attorney Appearance on behalf of Cobblestone Wireless, LLC in this specific case. (Further research would be needed to identify her firm and location precisely, but her appearance on the docket indicates active involvement.)

Cobblestone Wireless, LLC is an entity of Bedrock IP Co., Ltd., which has been involved in other patent litigations. Jay Chung, who manages Cobblestone Wireless, LLC, has previously worked for Russ August & Kabat.

Apple Inc. is represented by a team of attorneys, including lead counsel from Russ August & Kabat and local counsel from Scott, Douglass & Mcconnico, L.L.P. Additionally, Brian Lebow of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP has been admitted pro hac vice.

Here is a breakdown of the identified counsel:

From Russ August & Kabat (Lead Counsel, likely appearing pro hac vice):

• Amy Hayden
  • Role: Likely lead counsel (appearing pro hac vice).
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience Note: Specializes in intellectual property litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret disputes.
• Marc A. Fenster
  • Role: Likely lead counsel (appearing pro hac vice).
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience Note: A prominent patent litigator, recognized for his work in high-stakes intellectual property cases across various technology sectors.
• Jacob R. Buczko
  • Role: Likely counsel (appearing pro hac vice).
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience Note: Focuses on intellectual property litigation, including patent infringement cases.
• Christian W. Conkle
  • Role: Likely counsel (appearing pro hac vice).
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience Note: Practices intellectual property litigation, with experience in patent, trademark, and copyright matters.
• Jonathan Ma
  • Role: Likely counsel (appearing pro hac vice).
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience Note: Involved in intellectual property litigation, including patent disputes.
• Qi (Peter) Tong
  • Role: Likely counsel (appearing pro hac vice).
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience Note: Focuses on intellectual property litigation, particularly in patent matters.
• Reza Mirzaie
  • Role: Likely counsel (appearing pro hac vice).
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience Note: Specializes in patent litigation and other intellectual property disputes.
• Matthew Aichele
  • Role: Likely counsel (appearing pro hac vice).
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience Note: Practices intellectual property law with a focus on patent litigation.
• Neil A. Rubin
  • Role: Likely counsel (appearing pro hac vice).
  • Firm: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience Note: Engaged in intellectual property litigation, including patent infringement defense.

Local Counsel:

• Scott, Douglass & Mcconnico, L.L.P.
  • Role: Local counsel.
  • Firm: Scott, Douglass & Mcconnico, L.L.P., Austin, TX.
  • Experience Note: A Texas-based firm often serves as local counsel in complex litigation within the state, including patent cases in the Western District of Texas.

Pro Hac Vice Admission:

• Brian Lebow
  • Role: Counsel (admitted pro hac vice).
  • Firm: Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.
  • Experience Note: Has represented Apple in various patent disputes and other complex litigation. His admission pro hac vice was granted on December 13, 2024.