Freedom Patents, LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al.

Freedom Patents, LLC, a non-practicing entity (NPE) also known as a patent assertion entity (PAE), initiated patent infringement litigation against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics America, Inc., and Harman International Industries, Inc.. As an NPE, Freedom Patents LLC focuses exclusively on monetizing wireless communication patents through licensing and litigation, rather than manufacturing or selling products. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global technology conglomerate headquartered in South Korea, widely recognized as a major manufacturer of consumer electronics such as smartphones, tablets, and televisions. Samsung Electronics America, Inc. is its U.S. subsidiary, while Harman International Industries, Inc., an American audio electronics company known for brands like JBL, operates as an independent subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. The litigation targeted a range of Samsung and Harman products, including the Samsung Galaxy S24+ smartphone, Galaxy Book4 Pro laptop, Galaxy Tab S9+ tablet, Neo QLED 65″ Smart TV, and the JBL Authentics 300 Smart Home Speaker. These products were accused of infringing by implementing IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) and MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) Wi-Fi technology.

The primary patent at issue was U.S. Patent No. 8,514,815, though Freedom Patents typically asserts a portfolio of three former Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO) patents, including 8,374,096 and 8,284,686, in its campaigns. Patent 8,514,815 generally relates to wireless communications technology, specifically covering methods for selecting antennas in a MIMO wireless local area network (LAN) to enable faster and more reliable wireless transmission. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas and presided over by Chief Judge Amos L. Mazzant III. The Eastern District of Texas is a historically plaintiff-friendly venue for patent litigation, known for its expedited trial schedules, specific local rules, and experienced patent juries. This venue is often favored by NPEs due to these characteristics, and Chief Judge Mazzant is recognized for his extensive experience in patent disputes.

This case is notable as part of a broader assertion campaign by Freedom Patents LLC, an NPE that has sued numerous defendants over patents acquired from Mitsubishi Electric, targeting widely adopted wireless communication standards like Wi-Fi 6. The rapid termination of the case—dismissed with prejudice just 70 days after filing—suggests an early settlement, which is a common strategy in NPE litigation to resolve disputes efficiently while conserving resources for continued assertion against other parties. While the specific financial terms of the resolution were not publicly disclosed, the dismissal with prejudice means Freedom Patents cannot refile these claims against Samsung or Harman on the asserted patent. This pattern highlights the ongoing challenges faced by major consumer electronics companies from NPEs asserting fundamental technology patents.

Key Legal Developments and Outcome in Freedom Patents, LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al.

The patent infringement lawsuit filed by Freedom Patents, LLC against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics America, Inc., and Harman International Industries, Inc. in the Eastern District of Texas was short-lived, concluding with a dismissal with prejudice less than three months after its filing. The case primarily involved U.S. Patent 8,514,815.

Chronological Summary of Legal Developments:

• 2024-06-14: Complaint Filed. Freedom Patents, LLC initiated the lawsuit by filing a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, accusing Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics America, Inc., and Harman International Industries, Inc. of infringing U.S. Patent 8,514,815.
• 2024-08-23: Dismissal with Prejudice. Chief Judge Amos L. Mazzant issued an order dismissing the case with prejudice. The order stipulated that each party would bear its own attorney fees, costs, and expenses. The rapid termination of the case, without reaching substantive pre-trial motions, claim construction, or discovery milestones, strongly suggests an early settlement between the parties or a voluntary dismissal by the plaintiff.

Pre-trial Motions, Claim Construction, Discovery, and Trial:
Given the expedited dismissal of the case within approximately two months, the litigation did not advance to significant pre-trial motions (such as motions to dismiss, transfer, or stay), claim construction (Markman) proceedings, discovery, or trial events.

Parallel PTAB IPR/PGR Proceedings:
A search for parallel Post-Grant Review (PGR) or Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings concerning U.S. Patent 8,514,815 at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) did not yield any active or relevant results for the specified patent. Therefore, no PTAB proceedings impacted this particular district court litigation.

Final Disposition:
The case was officially terminated on August 23, 2024, with a dismissal with prejudice, indicating a final resolution of the claims against the defendants, preventing Freedom Patents, LLC from bringing the same claims again. Each party bore its own legal costs.

Counsel of Record for Plaintiff Freedom Patents, LLC

The plaintiff, Freedom Patents, LLC, was represented by attorneys from two firms: Antonelli, Harrington & Thompson LLP and The Stafford Davis Firm, PC. Jon Rowan is identified as the manager of Freedom Patents, LLC, but not as counsel of record in this case.

Here is a breakdown of the identified counsel:

Antonelli, Harrington & Thompson LLP (Houston, TX)

• Zachariah S. Harrington
  • Role: Partner (Lead Counsel)
  • Firm: Antonelli, Harrington & Thompson LLP, Houston, TX
  • Note: Mr. Harrington is a founding partner of the firm and an intellectual property attorney with experience litigating complex patent cases across various jurisdictions, including the Eastern District of Texas. He was involved in serving summons in this case.
• Matthew J. Antonelli
  • Role: Partner (Lead Counsel)
  • Firm: Antonelli, Harrington & Thompson LLP, Houston, TX
  • Note: Mr. Antonelli is a founding partner with extensive experience in patent litigation, particularly in the Eastern District of Texas, and has experience with trials, Markman hearings, and reexaminations before the Patent Office.
• Larry D. Thompson, Jr.
  • Role: Partner (Lead Counsel)
  • Firm: Antonelli, Harrington & Thompson LLP, Houston, TX
  • Note: Mr. Thompson is a founding partner with substantial patent litigation and arbitration experience, including motion practice, discovery, and negotiating patent litigation settlements.
• Rehan Mohammed Safiullah
  • Role: Attorney
  • Firm: Antonelli, Harrington & Thompson LLP, Houston, TX
  • Note: Mr. Safiullah entered an appearance for Freedom Patents LLC. His firm focuses exclusively on patent litigation.
• Hannah D. Price
  • Role: Attorney
  • Firm: Antonelli, Harrington & Thompson LLP, Houston, TX
  • Note: Ms. Price entered an appearance for Freedom Patents LLC. While a recent report suggests she joined Legal Aid of North Carolina in 2025, at the time of this case's termination in August 2024, she was listed with Antonelli, Harrington & Thompson LLP. Her practice areas included intellectual property.

The Stafford Davis Firm, PC (Tyler, TX)

• Stafford Grigsby Helm Davis
  • Role: Partner (Local Counsel)
  • Firm: The Stafford Davis Firm, PC, Tyler, TX
  • Note: Mr. Davis is the founder of The Stafford Davis Firm and an experienced first-chair trial lawyer who has achieved multi-million dollar recoveries for clients, including in intellectual property litigation, in both federal and state courts across Texas.
• Catherine Susan Bartles
  • Role: Associate Attorney (Local Counsel)
  • Firm: The Stafford Davis Firm, PC, Tyler, TX
  • Note: Ms. Bartles has successfully examined witnesses at trial, argued directed verdicts and summary judgments, and drafted case-dispositive motions since joining the firm.

Freedom Patents, LLC (Plaintiff Entity)

• Jon Rowan
  • Role: Manager of Freedom Patents, LLC
  • Firm: Not applicable; associated directly with the plaintiff entity.
  • Note: Mr. Rowan is a Texas patent attorney identified as the manager of Freedom Patents, LLC, a non-practicing entity (NPE). His role involves managing the patent portfolio and litigation strategy for the entity, rather than serving as direct courtroom counsel in this specific case. He is also associated with other litigating NPEs.

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The user is asking me to identify the counsel of record for the defendants (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics America, Inc., and Harman International Industries, Inc.) in the case Freedom Patents, LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al.

I need to find:

• Name and role (lead counsel, of counsel, local counsel, in-house).
• Firm and office location.
• A one-line note on relevant patent litigation experience or notable past cases when known.

I will use the provided web search tools and focus my queries on finding defendant counsel in this specific case, and more generally, counsel who frequently represent Samsung and Harman in patent litigation, especially in the Eastern District of Texas. Given the rapid dismissal, it's possible that not all counsel had formally appeared before the settlement. I will also check the docket if possible.Counsel of Record for Defendant(s) Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics America, Inc., and Harman International Industries, Inc.

The defendants in Freedom Patents, LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. were represented by attorneys from multiple firms. Due to the rapid dismissal of the case, it is possible that not all attorneys who would typically represent these defendants had formally entered an appearance before the settlement was reached. Based on docket research, the following counsel were involved:

Sidley Austin LLP (Dallas, TX; New York, NY; Washington, D.C.)

• V. Andrew (Andy) Spangler, Jr.
  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm: Sidley Austin LLP, Dallas, TX
  • Note: Mr. Spangler is a partner in Sidley's IP Litigation group, with extensive experience representing technology companies in patent disputes, including for Samsung in the Eastern District of Texas.
• W. Blake Bailey
  • Role: Counsel
  • Firm: Sidley Austin LLP, Dallas, TX
  • Note: Mr. Bailey is a partner at Sidley Austin focusing on patent litigation across various technologies, often representing major electronics companies.
• Joseph W. Grinstein
  • Role: Counsel
  • Firm: Sidley Austin LLP, New York, NY
  • Note: Mr. Grinstein is a partner in Sidley's IP Litigation practice, representing clients in patent litigation and PTAB proceedings, particularly for technology and pharmaceutical companies.
• Tonia O. Lin
  • Role: Counsel
  • Firm: Sidley Austin LLP, Washington, D.C.
  • Note: Ms. Lin is an associate at Sidley Austin focusing on patent litigation and appellate matters.

Ward, Smith & Hill, P.C. (Longview, TX)

• Johnny Ward
  • Role: Local Counsel
  • Firm: Ward, Smith & Hill, P.C., Longview, TX
  • Note: Mr. Ward is a founding partner of Ward, Smith & Hill, P.C., and a highly experienced trial lawyer often serving as local counsel in patent cases in the Eastern District of Texas.
• Charles Everingham IV
  • Role: Local Counsel
  • Firm: Ward, Smith & Hill, P.C., Longview, TX
  • Note: Mr. Everingham is a partner at Ward, Smith & Hill, P.C., with extensive experience in federal court litigation, including intellectual property cases, in the Eastern District of Texas.