Litigation

Integral Wireless Technologies LLC v. T-Mobile US, Inc.

Active litigation

2:25-cv-00945

Patents at issue (1)

Plaintiffs (1)

Defendants (1)

Summary

Integral Wireless Technologies LLC filed an active patent infringement suit against T-Mobile US, Inc. in the Texas Eastern District Court.

Case overview & background

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

Integral Wireless Technologies LLC v. T-Mobile US, Inc.: Patent Infringement Overview

Integral Wireless Technologies LLC, a patent monetization firm (NPE) associated with Texas-based Empire IP LLC, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against T-Mobile US, Inc.. T-Mobile US, Inc. is a major American wireless network operator, providing mobile telecommunication services, including voice, text messaging, video calling, and data communications, to a vast customer base. Integral Wireless Technologies LLC was established in September 2024, and its patent portfolio largely comprises assets divested from Intellectual Ventures LLC (IV), with IV potentially retaining an interest in the monetization of these patents. This pattern of patent assertion, involving portfolios acquired from Intellectual Ventures and asserted by NPEs, is a notable aspect of the broader patent litigation landscape.

The asserted patent in this case is U.S. Patent No. 8,976,714. This patent broadly relates to optimizing data transmission within wireless communication systems, particularly focusing on methods and apparatuses for efficient data flow. While the specific accused products or services of T-Mobile in this particular case (2:25-cv-00945) are not explicitly detailed in publicly available search results, Integral Wireless has a history in related litigation of accusing products and services such as 5G compatible devices, 802.11n compatible devices, HEVC compatible devices, and Bluetooth compatible devices. Given T-Mobile's core business as a wireless carrier, it is highly probable that its wireless network services and related mobile devices are the alleged infringing instrumentalities.

The case is currently active in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (EDTX), Case Number 2:25-cv-00945, and has been assigned to District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. The Eastern District of Texas is a prominent venue for patent litigation, consistently ranking as a top forum for both overall patent cases and NPE filings. This district's procedural posture, including a reputation for faster time to trial and a history of significant patent damage awards, makes it an attractive venue for patent plaintiffs, particularly NPEs. The assignment to Judge Gilstrap, a judge known for presiding over a high volume of patent cases, further emphasizes the strategic choice of venue by the plaintiff.

Key legal developments & outcome

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

The patent infringement litigation "Integral Wireless Technologies LLC v. T-Mobile US, Inc." (2:25-cv-00945) is currently active in the Eastern District of Texas. As of May 28, 2026, the case is in its relatively early stages, and detailed developments such as claim construction outcomes, discovery milestones, trial events, or final dispositions are not yet publicly detailed in search results.

Here's a summary of the known legal developments and current posture:

Filing & Initial Pleadings:

  • The complaint was filed by Integral Wireless Technologies LLC against T-Mobile US, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in 2025. The exact filing date is not immediately available from the provided search results but falls within the 2025 timeframe.

Pre-trial Motions of Substance:

  • There is no public information readily available in the search results regarding motions to dismiss, transfer, or stay pending IPR. Given the case's filing in 2025 and its active status, such motions might be anticipated or could have already been filed and resolved without being highlighted in the top-level search summaries.

Claim Construction (Markman) Outcomes:

  • The case has not yet reached the stage where Markman outcomes would be widely reported. Generally, claim construction hearings occur several months into patent litigation, with a median of 430 days from filing to order in the Eastern District of Texas.

Discovery Milestones:

  • No specific strategic discovery milestones are available in the current search results.

Trial Events, Verdict, and Post-trial Motions:

  • The case has not yet reached trial.

Settlement, Dismissal, Judgment, or Appeal:

  • The case is currently in active litigation. There has been no reported settlement, dismissal, or judgment.

Parallel PTAB IPR/PGR Proceedings:

  • A search for IPR proceedings related to patent 8976714 did not immediately yield any active or completed IPRs directly tied to this specific litigation or T-Mobile as a petitioner. PTAB filings are logged with specific trial numbers and filing dates. However, general searches for patent information and IPRs can be conducted through USPTO tools.

Therefore, the key legal development to date is the initial filing of the patent infringement complaint by Integral Wireless Technologies LLC against T-Mobile US, Inc. in 2025, and the case remains active.## Patent Infringement Case: Integral Wireless Technologies LLC v. T-Mobile US, Inc. Remains Active in Early Stages

Case Caption: Integral Wireless Technologies LLC v. T-Mobile US, Inc.
Case Number: 2:25-cv-00945
Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Patents at Issue: 8976714
Current Status: Active litigation (as of 2026-05-28)

The patent infringement lawsuit filed by Integral Wireless Technologies LLC against T-Mobile US, Inc. in the Eastern District of Texas is in its initial stages, with no major substantive legal developments publicly reported beyond the case's filing.

Key Legal Developments and Outcome:

1. Filing & Initial Pleadings:

  • Complaint Filed: Integral Wireless Technologies LLC initiated the patent infringement action against T-Mobile US, Inc. in 2025. The specific filing date is not detailed in the available information, but the case number confirms its origin in the Eastern District of Texas.

2. Pre-trial Motions of Substance:

  • As of the current date, public records do not indicate any significant pre-trial motions, such as motions to dismiss, transfer, or stay pending inter partes review (IPR) proceedings. Given the recent filing date, such motions may be anticipated as the litigation progresses.

3. Claim Construction (Markman) Outcomes:

  • The case has not yet reached the claim construction (Markman) stage. In the Eastern District of Texas, the median time from case filing to a claim construction order is approximately 430 days.

4. Discovery Milestones:

  • There are no publicly reported strategic discovery milestones for this case at this early juncture.

5. Trial Events, Verdict, and Post-trial Motions:

  • The case has not proceeded to trial.

6. Settlement, Dismissal, Judgment, or Appeal:

  • The litigation remains active. No settlement, dismissal, or judgment has been reported.

7. Parallel PTAB IPR/PGR Proceedings:

  • A search for any Inter Partes Review (IPR) or Post-Grant Review (PGR) proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) concerning U.S. Patent No. 8,976,714 did not yield any immediate results directly linked to T-Mobile US, Inc. or this specific litigation.

In summary, the case is proceeding as active litigation in the Eastern District of Texas, with its primary development being the initial filing of the complaint in 2025. Further substantive developments such as answers, counterclaims, significant motions, or claim construction are expected as the case matures.

Plaintiff representatives

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

The plaintiff, Integral Wireless Technologies LLC, is represented by the following attorneys from Rozier Hardt McDonough PLLC:

  • Jonathan Lloyd Hardt (Lead Counsel)

    • Firm: Rozier Hardt McDonough PLLC, with offices in Austin, TX, Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. His primary practice location is Austin, Texas.
    • Experience: Mr. Hardt is an experienced litigator focusing on patent litigation, trade secret litigation, and strategic counseling. He has served as lead attorney in multiple International Trade Commission proceedings and represented clients in dozens of federal and state court cases. His patent litigation experience covers telecommunications, computer software, web services, mobile devices, agriculture technologies, encryption software, and industrial design of consumer products. He previously clerked for the Hon. David Folsom in the Eastern District of Texas.
  • Carey Matthew Rozier (Lead Counsel)

    • Firm: Rozier Hardt McDonough PLLC, with offices in Austin, TX, Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO.
    • Experience: Mr. Rozier is an engineer and registered patent attorney with a focus on complex patent litigation before federal district courts, the Federal Circuit, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the U.S. International Trade Commission. He has litigated patent matters across the country, encompassing technologies such as computer hardware and software, telecommunications, medical devices, wireless networks, and user interfaces. He also has extensive experience with U.S. and international patent prosecution and post-grant patent challenges.
  • James Francis McDonough, III (Lead Counsel)

    • Firm: Rozier Hardt McDonough PLLC, with offices in Austin, TX, Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. His bar admissions include the Eastern District of Texas.
    • Experience: Mr. McDonough is a lawyer and technologist who has served as lead counsel in hundreds of litigated matters, with a core practice in complex technology-oriented litigation, including intellectual property and patent litigation. He has represented clients in state and federal courts nationwide, including in multi-district litigation and class actions. His experience includes representing a home inspection company in a patent dispute over infrared thermal imaging technology, resulting in a favorable jury verdict. He has been recognized as a top patent attorney in US patent litigation.

Defendant representatives

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

It is challenging to definitively identify the exact counsel of record for T-Mobile US, Inc. in Integral Wireless Technologies LLC v. T-Mobile US, Inc. (2:25-cv-00945) without direct access to the case's PACER docket. PACER, the Public Access to Court Electronic Records system, charges for access to detailed case information, including specific attorney appearances.

However, based on T-Mobile's history in patent litigation, particularly in the Eastern District of Texas, and common practices in such cases, certain firms and attorneys are frequently involved.

Here's an analysis of likely counsel, drawing on T-Mobile's past patent defense work:

Common T-Mobile Patent Defense Counsel:

  • Alston & Bird LLP: This firm has a strong track record of representing T-Mobile in patent infringement cases and has secured significant defense victories. In April 2025, Alston & Bird successfully defended T-Mobile and Ericsson against a $253 million patent infringement claim in the Eastern District of Texas, resulting in a complete defense verdict.

    • Notable Attorneys (based on past T-Mobile cases with Alston & Bird):
      • Theodore Stevenson, III (Partner): Dallas Office. Experienced in patent litigation, he was part of the Alston & Bird team that secured a defense verdict for T-Mobile in the General Access Solutions Ltd. v. T-Mobile USA Inc., et al. case.
      • John D. Haynes (Partner): Atlanta Office. Also a member of the successful Alston & Bird team defending T-Mobile.
      • M. Scott Stevens (Partner): Charlotte Office. Involved in T-Mobile's patent defense.
      • Thomas W. Davison (Partner): Washington, D.C. Office. Contributed to T-Mobile's defense.
      • Natalie C. Clayton (Partner): New York Office. Part of the Alston & Bird team for T-Mobile.
      • Michael C. Deane (Partner): Atlanta Office. Involved in T-Mobile's defense.
      • Emily Chambers Welch (Partner): Office location not specified in snippet. Contributed to T-Mobile's defense.
      • Stephen McNiff (Counsel): Office location not specified in snippet. Part of the Alston & Bird team for T-Mobile.
      • Kyle Ceuninck (Senior Associate): Office location not specified in snippet. Part of the Alston & Bird team for T-Mobile.
      • Emily Fitzgerald (Senior Associate): Office location not specified in snippet. Part of the Alston & Bird team for T-Mobile.
      • Mary Riolo (Associate): Office location not specified in snippet. Part of the Alston & Bird team for T-Mobile.
      • James Atkison (Associate): Office location not specified in snippet. Part of the Alston & Bird team for T-Mobile.
  • McKool Smith: This firm is also known for representing T-Mobile in patent defense. For example, McKool Smith secured a patent defense verdict for T-Mobile in a dispute against Daingean Technologies.

    • McKool Smith has offices in Dallas, Houston, Austin, Los Angeles, Marshall (TX), New York, and Washington, D.C.
  • Local Counsel in Eastern District of Texas: Given the venue, it's highly probable that T-Mobile will engage local counsel based in the Eastern District of Texas. Firms like Siebman Law, LLP and Potter Minton Law Firm are well-known for their intellectual property litigation work and frequently serve as local counsel in this district.

  • In-house Counsel: T-Mobile has an in-house legal team. Mark Nelson is the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at T-Mobile, overseeing legal and government affairs and guiding T-Mobile's legal strategy. While he wouldn't typically be "counsel of record" in district court filings, he would direct the overall defense strategy.

Note: Without direct access to the docket for 2:25-cv-00945, these are highly probable representatives based on historical patterns and public reporting of T-Mobile's patent litigation defense. Filings are not sealed in the search results, but the specific counsel for this particular active case is not immediately evident from general web searches.