Longhorn Automotive Group LLC v. Volvo Car Corp. et al.

Longhorn Automotive Group LLC, a non-practicing entity (NPE) and an entity of Alpha Alpha Intellectual Partners LLC, has initiated patent infringement litigation against Volvo Car Corp. and AB Volvo. Longhorn Automotive Group is reportedly backed by a prominent litigation funder and has a pattern of asserting patents against numerous automotive manufacturers, including Nissan, Volkswagen, Mazda, Hyundai, and Mitsubishi. The defendants, Volvo Car Corp. and AB Volvo, are part of the global Volvo Group, a major manufacturer of trucks, buses, construction equipment, and marine and industrial engines, as well as passenger cars. The lawsuit alleges that over 30 of Volvo Car Corp.'s vehicles infringe on Longhorn's patents, specifically targeting technologies related to headlights, driver assistance systems, and remote start functionalities.

The litigation asserts U.S. Patent Nos. 7,513,238, 8,810,803, 7,987,002, and 8,265,353. Patent '7,513,238, despite some search results pointing to internal combustion engines, appears to be primarily asserted in the context of wireless communication technology, specifically regarding efficient usage and allocation of time resources in peer-to-peer and coordinated time division multiple access within IEEE 802.11 standards, relevant to in-vehicle communication systems. U.S. Patent No. 8,810,803 describes a lens system designed to create invisible light patterns useful for computer vision systems, which can identify the position and distance of objects. U.S. Patent No. 7,987,002 pertains to a distributed measurement system for obtaining measurements and simulations within a distributed control system, often applied in automotive diagnostics and control. Lastly, U.S. Patent No. 8,265,353 details a method for creating an image of a moving object by combining data from two different imaging techniques and independent sensor systems.

This case is proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, a venue historically favored by patent plaintiffs due to its reputation for swift adjudication ("rocket docket") and procedural rules perceived as plaintiff-friendly. Judge Rodney Gilstrap is assigned to the case (Case No. 2:24-cv-00603-JRG). The Eastern District of Texas has seen a new litigation strategy emerge post- TC Heartland LLC v. Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC, where plaintiffs target foreign affiliates (like Volvo Car Corp. and AB Volvo) to circumvent stricter domestic venue requirements, leveraging general venue rules for foreign defendants. The case is notable as part of a broader assertion campaign by Longhorn Automotive Group against numerous automotive manufacturers. Several of the asserted patents have also been challenged in inter partes review (IPR) proceedings at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), with Unified Patents actively seeking and identifying prior art for these patents, and some reexamination proceedings already instituted.The litigation "Longhorn Automotive Group LLC v. Volvo Car Corp. et al." involves Longhorn Automotive Group LLC, identified as a non-practicing entity (NPE) and an affiliate of Alpha Alpha Intellectual Partners LLC, which reportedly operates with backing from a litigation funder. Longhorn Automotive has a documented pattern of asserting its patent portfolio against various automotive manufacturers. The defendants, Volvo Car Corp. and AB Volvo, represent the Swedish multinational manufacturing corporation known for producing a wide range of vehicles and related technologies. The complaint alleges that more than 30 Volvo Car Corp. vehicles infringe on the asserted patents through their headlights, driver assistance systems, and remote start technologies.

The asserted patents include U.S. Patent No. 7,513,238, which broadly relates to wireless communication technology, particularly efficient time resource allocation in IEEE 802.11 standards, relevant to in-vehicle communication. U.S. Patent No. 8,810,803 describes a lens system used to generate invisible light patterns for computer vision systems to determine object position and distance, likely applicable to driver assistance features. U.S. Patent No. 7,987,002 concerns a distributed measurement system for collecting data and performing simulations within distributed control systems, pertinent to automotive control and diagnostics. Finally, U.S. Patent No. 8,265,353 details a method for forming an image of a moving object by integrating data from two distinct imaging techniques and independent sensor systems.

The case is currently active in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, assigned to District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. This venue is frequently chosen by patent plaintiffs due to its reputation for an accelerated docket and a perceived plaintiff-friendly environment. Following the TC Heartland Supreme Court decision, plaintiffs like Longhorn have employed a strategy of suing foreign parent companies, such as Volvo Car Corp. and AB Volvo, to establish venue in the Eastern District of Texas by circumventing the stricter "regular and established place of business" requirement for domestic corporations. The litigation is notable not only for Longhorn's strategy as an NPE in the automotive sector but also due to parallel inter partes review (IPR) challenges at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) for several of the asserted patents, with some reexamination proceedings already instituted.

Longhorn Automotive Group LLC filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Volvo Car Corp. and AB Volvo in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Case No. 2:24-cv-00603-JRG) on July 30, 2024. The complaint asserts U.S. Patent Nos. 7,513,238, 8,810,803, 7,987,002, and 8,265,353, relating to headlight, driver assistance, and remote start technologies. Judge Rodney Gilstrap is the assigned judge for the case.

Key Legal Developments:

• Filing of Complaint (2024-07-30): Longhorn Automotive Group LLC initiated the litigation by filing a complaint accusing Volvo Car Corp. and AB Volvo of infringing the four patents.

• Parallel PTAB Proceedings Initiated for Asserted Patents:

  • US Patent 7,513,238: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. filed an Inter Partes Review (IPR2025-01089) against this patent, which is owned by Longhorn Automotive Group LLC. Longhorn filed its mandatory notices for this IPR on June 23, 2025. The district court case against Volvo (2:24-cv-00603-JRG) is listed as a related matter in the IPR.
  • US Patent 7,987,002: Unified Patents filed an ex parte reexamination proceeding against this patent on February 26, 2025. The Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) granted the reexamination request on April 22, 2025, finding substantial new questions of patentability for the challenged claims. This patent is also being asserted in the Longhorn v. Volvo litigation.
  • US Patent 8,265,353: Volkswagen Group of America Inc. filed an Inter Partes Review (IPR2025-01064) against this patent. Longhorn Automotive Group LLC filed its mandatory notices on June 19, 2025, listing the Longhorn v. Volvo district court case as a related matter. On October 10, 2025, the Director of the USPTO issued a discretionary review decision regarding this IPR, noting a material error in the issued claim language. The IPR proceeding for this patent was subsequently terminated due to a settlement on April 2, 2026.
  • US Patent 8,810,803: An IPR (IPR2025-00955) was filed against this patent by Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and North American Lighting, with an effective filing date of April 30, 2025.

• Claim Construction Scheduled (2026-09-08): The case has a Claim Construction Hearing scheduled for September 8, 2026, indicating it is progressing through the pre-trial phase. A Case Management Conference is also set for February 8, 2027.

Present Posture:

The case is currently active in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. There have been several parallel proceedings at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and through ex parte reexamination against the asserted patents, one of which (US 8,265,353) concluded with a settlement in the IPR. The litigation is moving towards claim construction in the district court.

Longhorn Automotive Group LLC is represented by the following counsel:

• Vincent J. Rubino III

  • Role: Partner (likely lead counsel)
  • Firm: Fabricant Rubino Lambrianakos LLP, Rye, New York
  • Experience Note: Has represented clients as lead counsel in hundreds of patent disputes across various technologies and venues, including the Eastern District of Texas, often ranked among top plaintiff patent litigators. He obtained a jury verdict of infringement against Amazon in the Eastern District of Texas and has extensive experience with PTAB proceedings and Federal Circuit appeals.

• Peter Lambrianakos

  • Role: Managing Partner (likely lead counsel)
  • Firm: Fabricant Rubino Lambrianakos LLP, Rye, New York
  • Experience Note: A trial lawyer focusing on patent infringement litigation in federal courts, the PTAB, and the International Trade Commission; previously named among the most active patent litigators by Patexia. He has a computer science and engineering degree, and his experience spans semiconductors, smartphones, software, and wireless communications.

• Alfred Ross Fabricant

  • Role: Partner (likely lead counsel)
  • Firm: Fabricant Rubino Lambrianakos LLP, Rye, New York
  • Experience Note: A seasoned intellectual property litigator, a founding partner of Fabricant Rubino Lambrianakos LLP, whose firm focuses on championing innovators and patent holders in significant patent and IP disputes.

• John Andrew Rubino

  • Role: Partner (likely lead counsel)
  • Firm: Rubino IP, New York, New York
  • Experience Note: Evaluates and litigates complex patent portfolios to trial, with over one hundred cases litigated in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. He has successfully represented Ultravision Technologies in patent infringement cases related to LED display panels and lighting, and Semcon IC in chipset power management technology cases.

• Michael Mondelli, III

  • Role: Associate (likely supporting counsel)
  • Firm: Rubino IP, New York, New York
  • Experience Note: Handles all aspects of patent litigation in federal court, including drafting complaints, infringement contentions, and motions, with experience in automotive, server, and wearable technology fields.

While specific attorney appearance filings for case 2:24-cv-00603 were not directly retrieved from the provided search results (which often require direct PACER access), these attorneys from Fabricant Rubino Lambrianakos LLP and Rubino IP have appeared for Longhorn Automotive Group LLC in a closely related case in the Eastern District of Texas (2:26-cv-00235) and their firms specialize in plaintiff-side patent litigation, particularly in this district. The firm Fabricant Rubino Lambrianakos LLP, where Vincent Rubino, Peter Lambrianakos, and Alfred Fabricant are partners, was recently rebranded from Fabricant LLP in March 2026, highlighting their growth in IP litigation. Rubino IP, where John and Michael Rubino are listed, also focuses on intellectual property litigation.

The case "Longhorn Automotive Group LLC v. Volvo Car Corp. et al." (2:24-cv-00603) was filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on July 31, 2024.

Based on available information, the specific counsel of record for Volvo Car Corp. and AB Volvo in this particular case is not yet publicly detailed in the provided search results. Docket information from Justia was last retrieved on March 23, 2026, and a more recent listing may be available from PACER, which requires a subscription. Other search results discuss related cases involving Volvo, but do not provide specific counsel for this exact lawsuit.

However, based on previous patent litigation involving Volvo entities, here are some firms and attorneys that have represented Volvo in patent matters, and who might be involved, although their appearance in this specific case is unconfirmed:

• Latham & Watkins LLP has represented Volvo Car Corp. in past patent litigation.
  • Matthew J. Moore (Lead Counsel/Partner): Practiced with Latham & Watkins LLP, representing Volvo Car Corp. in a case where Volvo was awarded nearly $1 million in attorneys' fees.
  • Jonathan D. Link (Attorney): Also represented Volvo in the same Latham & Watkins case.
  • Gabriel Bell (Attorney): Also represented Volvo in the same Latham & Watkins case.
• Saiber LLC has also been involved as counsel for Volvo.
  • Arnold B. Calmann (Attorney): Represented Volvo in the Lugus IP LLC v. Volvo Car Corp. et al. case.
• Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth LLP
  • Jason de Bretteville (Partner): Secured a dismissal on behalf of Volvo Car USA in a patent infringement suit related to a "System and Method for Generating and Storing Clean Energy."
• Jenner & Block
  • Benjamin Bradford (Partner): Led a team that won a motion to dismiss for improper venue for Volvo Cars in a patent infringement suit, leading to a change of venue from the Western District of Texas to the District of New Jersey.
  • Reggie Hill (Partner): Part of the Jenner & Block team representing Volvo Cars in the aforementioned venue transfer.
  • Mitchell L. Denti (Associate): Also part of the Jenner & Block team.

Additionally, Raymond Millien is the Vice President & Global Chief IP Counsel for Volvo Cars, indicating an in-house role with extensive experience in IP strategy and licensing. Laura Gisler is Head of IP at Polestar, a brand owned by Volvo Cars, and previously served as IP Counsel for Volvo Car Group, focusing on tech IP issues.

To confirm the specific counsel for the Longhorn Automotive Group LLC v. Volvo Car Corp. et al. (2:24-cv-00603) case, direct access to the court's PACER system would be necessary for the most up-to-date docket information.