Headwater Research LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al.

This patent infringement lawsuit, Headwater Research LLC v. [[[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.) et al.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.%20et%20al.), involves a non-practicing entity (NPE) asserting mobile technology patents against a major global electronics manufacturer. Plaintiff Headwater Research LLC is a Texas-based patent licensing entity known for its active litigation campaigns against large technology companies, focusing on intellectual property related to mobile device management, network optimization, and intelligent data services. Headwater Research's team includes experienced engineers and scientists dedicated to developing and commercializing technological breakthroughs in the mobile industry, and it is led by Dr. Greg Raleigh, known for his work in MIMO wireless transmission. Defendants are Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a South Korean multinational corporation and a global leader in consumer electronics, semiconductors, and mobile devices, and its U.S. subsidiary, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. The accused products are Samsung's mobile electronic devices, including smartphones and tablets, which allegedly infringe patents related to mobile operating system functionalities and data management.

The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, and presided over by District Judge Rodney Gilstrap and Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne. The Eastern District of Texas is a notable venue for patent litigation, often referred to as a "rocket docket" due to its accelerated trial schedules and a historical reputation for being plaintiff-friendly. This venue has historically attracted patent owners seeking quicker resolutions and favorable jury verdicts, despite Supreme Court rulings like TC Heartland that aimed to restrict venue options.

Initially, Headwater Research's complaint alleged infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 8,588,110, 8,639,811, 9,179,359, and 9,647,918. U.S. Patent No. 9,179,359, for example, broadly relates to mobile devices utilizing the Android Operating System and certain functionalities thereof. Later in the litigation, Headwater's Infringement Contentions dated November 7, 2024, asserted U.S. Patent Nos. 10,028,144 and 10,080,250, indicating a potential narrowing of the asserted portfolio. U.S. Patent No. 10,028,144 describes systems and methods for managing traffic information, including the measured amount of internet data packet traffic associated with applications. U.S. Patent No. 10,080,250 covers mobile device operating systems and cloud technology. This case is notable as part of Headwater Research's broader pattern of asserting its mobile technology patent portfolio against major players in the telecommunications and consumer electronics industries, which has previously resulted in substantial verdicts against companies like Verizon and settlements with Apple and T-Mobile. The presence of IPR challenges related to the '359 patent in parallel cases against Google also underscores the value and contentiousness of these mobile technology patents.

This analysis details the key legal developments and outcome of the patent infringement litigation, Headwater Research LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al., Case No. 2:23-cv-00641, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Key Legal Developments and Outcome:

• Filing & Initial Pleadings:

  • 2023-12-29: Headwater Research LLC filed its complaint against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc., alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,179,359.
  • The specific dates for Samsung's answer and any counterclaims are not immediately available in the provided search results, but the case progressed beyond initial pleadings to claim construction and other pre-trial activities.

• Pre-trial Motions of Substance:

  • The provided information indicates the presence of pre-trial activity, including a "NOTICE PURSUANT TO 35 U.S.C. § 282 by SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS AMERICA, INC., SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD." and "SAMSUNG RESPONSE IN OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFFS MOTIONS IN LIMINE". However, specific details on motions to dismiss, transfer, or stay pending IPR outcomes are not explicitly provided in the search results.

• Claim Construction (Markman) Outcomes:

  • 2025-04-07: The court issued a Claim Construction Order in the case, indicating that the Markman stage was reached and completed.

• Discovery Milestones:

  • 2024-05-15: Headwater Research LLC filed its Infringement Contentions. While specific "strategic significance" of other discovery milestones is not detailed, this filing is a standard and critical step in patent litigation.

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

  • The case did not proceed to trial. A Pretrial Conference was initially scheduled for 2025-09-17 but was subsequently canceled.

• Settlement, Dismissal, Judgment, or Appeal:

  • 2025-09-XX: A Joint Motion to Dismiss was filed by Headwater Research LLC. This typically indicates that the parties reached a settlement.
  • 2025-09-30: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap signed an Order Dismissing Case With Prejudice. This order formally terminated the case, consistent with a settlement agreement between the parties.

• Parallel PTAB IPR/PGR Proceedings:

  • The provided search results indicate that IPR proceedings were initiated by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. against Headwater Research LLC, specifically IPR2024-01396 and IPR2024-01397, concerning U.S. Patent No. 9,647,918. Another IPR, IPR2026-00137, also by Google LLC against Headwater Research LLC, concerned U.S. Patent No. 9,647,918.
  • While these IPRs name the same parties as the district court case, they concern U.S. Patent No. 9,647,918, not U.S. Patent No. 9,179,359, which was the patent directly at issue in Headwater Research LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. (2:23-cv-00641). Therefore, there is no direct evidence in the provided search results of PTAB proceedings specifically targeting U.S. Patent No. 9,179,359 and directly affecting this particular litigation. The existence of IPRs for a different patent between the same parties suggests a broader dispute but does not confirm PTAB activity for the patent in this case.

Here is the counsel of record representing the plaintiff, Headwater Research LLC, in Headwater Research LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. (2:23-cv-00641 E.D. Tex.):

Lead Counsel (Russ August & Kabat)

• Marc Fenster
  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm & Office: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience: Mr. Fenster is a prominent patent litigator known for representing plaintiffs in high-stakes patent infringement cases, including securing significant verdicts for Headwater Research LLC.
• Reza Mirzaie
  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm & Office: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience: Mr. Mirzaie is part of the patent trial team that achieved substantial verdicts for Headwater Research LLC in patent infringement actions.
• Brian Ledahl
  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm & Office: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience: Mr. Ledahl was a member of the patent trial team representing Headwater Research LLC in successful patent infringement litigation.
• Ben Wang
  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm & Office: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience: Mr. Wang contributed to the patent trial team that secured favorable verdicts for Headwater Research LLC.
• Dale Chang
  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm & Office: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience: Mr. Chang was part of the trial team for Headwater Research LLC, involved in significant patent infringement cases.
• Kris Davis
  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm & Office: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience: Ms. Davis was a member of the patent trial team representing Headwater Research LLC in its successful patent litigation efforts.
• Adam Hoffman
  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm & Office: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience: Mr. Hoffman was part of the legal team that achieved substantial results for Headwater Research LLC in patent infringement disputes.
• Minna Jay
  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm & Office: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience: Ms. Jay was a member of the trial team for Headwater Research LLC in patent infringement cases.
• Mackenzie Paladino
  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm & Office: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience: Ms. Paladino was part of the patent trial team that secured favorable outcomes for Headwater Research LLC.
• James Pickens
  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm & Office: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience: Mr. Pickens was involved in the patent trial team representing Headwater Research LLC.
• James Tsuei
  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm & Office: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience: Mr. Tsuei was a member of the patent litigation team for Headwater Research LLC.
• Philip Wang
  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm & Office: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience: Mr. Wang was part of the legal team representing Headwater Research LLC in patent infringement matters.
• Jason Wietholter
  • Role: Lead Counsel
  • Firm & Office: Russ August & Kabat, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Experience: Mr. Wietholter contributed to the patent trial team for Headwater Research LLC.

Local Counsel (Miller Fair Henry PLLC)

• Andrea Fair
  • Role: Local Counsel
  • Firm & Office: Miller Fair Henry PLLC, Longview, TX.
  • Experience: Ms. Fair served as local counsel for Headwater Research LLC in patent infringement cases in the Eastern District of Texas, including those against Samsung.

Here is the counsel of record representing the defendants, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc., in Headwater Research LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. (2:23-cv-00641 E.D. Tex.):

In-House Counsel for Samsung:

• Matthew Bathon

  • Role: Principal Legal Counsel
  • Firm: Samsung Electronics (in-house)
  • Note: Coordinates Samsung's ITC and district court dockets, with a focus on Section 337 investigations before the International Trade Commission (ITC) and IP disputes in district courts. He was previously a partner at Steptoe LLP.

• Tim Jezek

  • Role: Principal Legal Counsel
  • Firm: Samsung Electronics America (in-house)
  • Note: Focuses on IP litigation and related policy issues, possessing over two decades of litigation and intellectual property counseling experience in both in-house and law firm settings.

• Phillip Lee

  • Role: Principal Legal Counsel
  • Firm: Samsung Electronics US IP Center (in-house)
  • Note: A veteran litigator with substantial experience in patent litigation, prosecution, and licensing, having appeared before numerous federal district courts, the Patent Trial Appeal Board, the ITC, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He manages patent dockets with outside counsel, negotiates settlements, and advises on IP matters.

Note on Outside Counsel:
While the provided information highlights key in-house counsel, specific docket entries naming outside counsel for Samsung in this particular District Court case (2:23-cv-00641) were not explicitly found in the initial search results. Such information would typically be found in "Notice of Appearance" filings or signatures on substantive pleadings. The case was dismissed on September 30, 2025, following a joint motion, suggesting a settlement was reached. Without direct docket access, identifying the specific outside law firm(s) and their attorneys who formally appeared and filed documents on behalf of Samsung in this Eastern District of Texas case remains unconfirmed through the provided snippets. While Patent Bots lists firms that Samsung works with for patents generally, this does not confirm their involvement in this specific litigation.The following counsel represented Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. in Headwater Research LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. (2:23-cv-00641 E.D. Tex.):

In-House Counsel:

• Matthew Bathon

  • Role: Principal Legal Counsel
  • Firm: Samsung Electronics
  • Note: Responsible for coordinating Samsung's ITC and district court dockets, with a background as a partner at Steptoe LLP focusing on Section 337 investigations and IP disputes.

• Tim Jezek

  • Role: Principal Legal Counsel
  • Firm: Samsung Electronics America
  • Note: Focuses on IP litigation and related policy issues, bringing over two decades of litigation and intellectual property counseling experience from both in-house and law firm settings.

• Phillip Lee

  • Role: Principal Legal Counsel
  • Firm: Samsung Electronics US IP Center
  • Note: A seasoned litigator with extensive experience in patent litigation, prosecution, and licensing across various technologies, appearing before federal district courts, the PTAB, the ITC, and the Federal Circuit.

Outside Counsel:

Despite searching for "Notice of Appearance" and other explicit listings of counsel for Samsung in the provided materials for case 2:23-cv-00641 in the Eastern District of Texas, specific identifying information for outside counsel (attorney names, firms, and office locations) was not readily available in the search results. While a document from January 8, 2024, referred to an "Attorney for Defendants. Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and. Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd.", the individual attorney and firm were not named in the snippet. The case was dismissed with prejudice on September 30, 2025, following a joint motion, suggesting a settlement was reached. Without direct access to the full docket entries, which may contain sealed filings, a definitive list of outside counsel cannot be provided.