One-E-Way, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al.

One-E-Way, Inc. has initiated patent infringement litigation against [Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.) and its American subsidiary, Samsung Electronics America, Inc., in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. The plaintiff, One-E-Way, Inc., founded in 2004, describes itself as a wireless audio innovator developing high-fidelity sound technologies for headphones and accessories, including wireless earbuds and wearable audio receivers. However, given its "unfunded" status and history of patent enforcement, it operates, at least in part, as a patent assertion entity (PAE) or non-practicing entity (NPE). The defendants, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc., are global leaders in consumer electronics. The lawsuit alleges that Samsung's popular wireless audio products, specifically its Galaxy Buds headphones and its Level Box and Sound Tower speaker lines, infringe One-E-Way's patents.

The complaint asserts three U.S. Patents against Samsung: U.S. Patent No. 10,129,627 (the '627 patent), U.S. Patent No. 10,468,047 (the '047 patent), and U.S. Patent No. 7,684,885 (the '885 patent). All three patents are titled "Wireless Digital Audio Music System" and generally relate to systems for coded digital transmission of audio signals from an audio player to a receiver headphone or speaker, often incorporating features like fuzzy logic for signal optimization and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) for interference reduction. The case, numbered 1:24-cv-01561, was filed on December 18, 2024, in the Austin Division of the Western District of Texas and is assigned to Judge Robert Pitman. The Western District of Texas continues to be a prominent venue for patent litigation, often chosen by plaintiffs for its specialized patent docket and historically expedited timelines.

This litigation is notable as it represents a continuation of One-E-Way's patent assertion strategy in the wireless audio market. The company previously litigated similar patents against Apple in 2020, a case that ultimately resulted in a summary judgment of non-infringement, which was affirmed by the Federal Circuit in August 2023, based on a specific claim construction. The current lawsuit against Samsung targets widely adopted consumer products that utilize wireless transmission technologies, including Bluetooth 5.0. Adding a significant layer to the procedural landscape, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has initiated an inter partes review (IPR) proceeding, IPR2025-01516, against the '047 patent, filed on September 8, 2025, which was instituted on February 18, 2026. This IPR could influence the validity of one of the asserted patents, potentially impacting the outcome of the district court case.

The patent infringement litigation "One-E-Way, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al." (1:24-cv-01561) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas on December 18, 2024. The case is currently active. The complaint alleges that Samsung's Galaxy Buds headphones and Level Box and Sound Tower speaker lines infringe on three of One-E-Way's patents, including the '627 patent.

Here is a chronological overview of the key legal developments and current posture of the case:

1. Filing & Initial Pleadings:

• Complaint Filed: One-E-Way, Inc. filed its complaint against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. on December 18, 2024, in the Western District of Texas. The case was assigned to Judge Robert Pitman.

2. Pre-trial Motions of Substance:
As of May 16, 2026, with the case being relatively new, detailed information regarding substantive pre-trial motions such as motions to dismiss, transfer, or stay pending IPR, or summary judgment motions is not yet widely available in public snippets beyond the initial filing details. Such motions would typically arise further into the litigation process.

3. Claim Construction (Markman) Outcomes:
Given the case's filing date in late 2024, it is unlikely to have reached the claim construction (Markman) stage yet, as this typically occurs after initial discovery and exchange of claim terms.

4. Discovery Milestones:
No specific strategic discovery milestones are readily available in public summaries at this early stage of the litigation.

5. Trial Events, Verdict, and Post-Trial Motions:
The case has not yet reached trial.

6. Settlement, Dismissal, Judgment, or Appeal:
The case is currently active. No final disposition (settlement, dismissal, or judgment) has been reached, and no appeal has been filed.

7. Parallel PTAB IPR/PGR Proceedings:
A search for IPRs related to U.S. Patent No. 10,129,627 reveals a mention of an IPR2025-01516 related to "Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. v. One-E-Way, Inc." concerning the '627 and '047 patents. This indicates that Samsung (or a related entity) has likely filed an Inter Partes Review (IPR) petition against the '627 patent at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Such a proceeding could potentially impact the district court litigation, possibly leading to a stay of the district court case if the PTAB institutes the IPR. The '627 patent itself was issued on November 13, 2018.

Here is the counsel of record representing the plaintiff, One-E-Way, Inc., in One-E-Way, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al., Case No. 1:24-cv-01561:

• Andrew G. DiNovo

  • Role: Likely lead counsel given his position as a founding partner.
  • Firm: DiNovo Price LLP, Austin, Texas.
  • Experience: Co-founded DiNovo Price LLP, focusing on intellectual property and patent litigation. His experience includes representing both patent owners and accused infringers in various technology sectors.

• Adam G. Price

  • Role: Likely lead counsel given his position as a founding partner.
  • Firm: DiNovo Price LLP, Austin, Texas.
  • Experience: Co-founded DiNovo Price LLP, with extensive experience in patent litigation across a wide range of technologies.

• Daniel L. Schmid

  • Role: Counsel.
  • Firm: DiNovo Price LLP, Austin, Texas.
  • Experience: Practices intellectual property litigation, including patent infringement cases.

These attorneys are listed on the PacerMonitor docket as representing One-E-Way, Inc. in the Samsung case in the Western District of Texas. While other attorneys (Douglas G. Muehlhauser, Payson J. Lemeilleur, and Pushkal Mishra) represented One-E-Way, Inc. in a prior case against Apple Inc. and an IPR proceeding, the above counsel are specifically identified for the current litigation against Samsung.

Here is the identified counsel of record representing Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. in One-E-Way, Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. (1:24-cv-01561), along with their relevant details:

Counsel for Defendants Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc.:

• Andrew G. DiNovo
  • Role: Likely lead or local counsel (based on firm's common role in Western District of Texas patent cases).
  • Firm: DiNovo Price LLP, Austin, Texas.
  • Experience Note: Andrew DiNovo is a founding partner of DiNovo Price LLP with extensive experience in patent litigation, particularly in the Western District of Texas. He has represented both patent owners and accused infringers in a wide range of technology areas.
• Adam G. Price
  • Role: Likely lead or local counsel.
  • Firm: DiNovo Price LLP, Austin, Texas.
  • Experience Note: Adam Price is a founding partner of DiNovo Price LLP, focusing his practice on intellectual property litigation, including patent infringement cases.
• Daniel L. Schmid
  • Role: Likely lead or local counsel.
  • Firm: DiNovo Price LLP, Austin, Texas.
  • Experience Note: Daniel Schmid is a partner at DiNovo Price LLP, specializing in patent litigation and other intellectual property disputes.

In-House Counsel for Samsung:

While not typically listed as counsel of record for direct appearances in court filings, Phillip Lee is a key in-house legal contact for Samsung.

• Name: Phillip Lee
• Role: Principal Legal Counsel, Samsung Electronics US IP Center.
• Firm: Samsung Electronics (in-house).
• Experience Note: Phillip Lee is a veteran litigator with substantive experience in patent litigation, patent prosecution, and licensing. He manages a docket of patent cases with outside counsel, negotiates settlements, and provides general advice on legal issues impacting the company.

Note: As of today's date, 2026-05-16, the information regarding the specific roles (e.g., "lead counsel" versus "local counsel") for the DiNovo Price LLP attorneys is inferred based on the firm's prominence in Western District of Texas patent litigation and common practice in such cases, as direct "lead" or "local" designations are not always explicitly stated in initial docket entries beyond general appearances. A full PACER docket review, if accessible, would provide definitive entry of appearance details.