SoftView, LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al.

SoftView, LLC, a Non-Practicing Entity (NPE) or Patent Assertion Entity (PAE) based in Washington, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc., both operating companies known for manufacturing and selling consumer electronics. The complaint alleges that Samsung's Galaxy smartphones and tablets infringe on SoftView's intellectual property, specifically targeting features related to the display of Internet content in a mobile setting. This represents a renewed assertion campaign by SoftView against Samsung, with a prior round of litigation concluding in 2015.

The lawsuit asserts infringement of five U.S. Patents: 9,519,729; 7,844,889; 10,083,154; 8,533,628; and 7,461,353. These patents generally pertain to methods and systems for the resolution-independent scalable display of Internet (Web) content on mobile devices, facilitating capabilities such as zooming and panning web pages for improved viewing on smaller screen sizes. Specifically, U.S. Patent No. 9,519,729 and 7,461,353 describe mobile devices supporting resolution-independent scalable display of Internet content for better viewing on small screens. The other asserted patents, including 10,083,154, 7,844,889, and 8,533,628, are part of the same patent family and relate to similar technologies for scalable web content display and mobile web zoom functionalities.

The case was filed on February 28, 2025, in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, and is assigned to Judge Rodney Gilstrap. The Eastern District of Texas remains a notable venue for patent litigation, often favored by plaintiffs due to its historically plaintiff-friendly procedural rules and accelerated trial schedules. Despite the Supreme Court's TC Heartland decision restricting venue options for domestic corporations, plaintiffs continue to file in EDTX by sometimes strategically suing foreign parent companies to satisfy personal jurisdiction requirements. The case is particularly notable due to SoftView's history as an active NPE with extensive litigation against major technology companies and its involvement in significant Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceedings. This includes a Federal Circuit decision in SoftView LLC v. Apple Inc. which clarified the scope of patent owner estoppel in IPRs. Furthermore, Google has recently initiated Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs) challenging SoftView's patents, indicating ongoing validity disputes that could influence the district court litigation.

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

The patent infringement lawsuit, SoftView, LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al., Case No. 2:25-cv-00246, was filed in the Eastern District of Texas on February 28, 2025, and remains active. The case involves allegations by SoftView, LLC that Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. infringe multiple U.S. Patents, including 10,083,154, 9,519,729, 7,844,889, 8,533,628, and 7,461,353.

Here's a chronological overview of the key legal developments:

1. Filing & Initial Pleadings:

• Complaint Filed (2025-02-28): SoftView, LLC initiated the patent infringement action against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. The complaint asserts infringement of five patents.

2. Claim Construction (Markman):

• Markman Order (2026-02-11): A Markman Order, which interprets the claims of the asserted patents, was issued on February 11, 2026. This order is a significant pre-trial development. While one search snippet broadly referenced "SoftView LLC v. Apple Inc. et al" in connection with this case number and date, the initial complaint clearly identifies Samsung as the defendant. Given the exact match in case number and district, it is highly probable that this Markman Order pertains to the ongoing litigation between SoftView and Samsung, potentially with a broader "et al." reference in the snippet.

3. Parallel PTAB IPR Proceedings:

• A search for Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings related to the asserted patents reveals the following:
  • U.S. Patent No. 10,083,154: No active IPR petitions found.
  • U.S. Patent No. 9,519,729: No active IPR petitions found.
  • U.S. Patent No. 7,844,889: No active IPR petitions found.
  • U.S. Patent No. 8,533,628: No active IPR petitions found.
  • U.S. Patent No. 7,461,353: No active IPR petitions found.

As of May 29, 2026, the case remains active in the Eastern District of Texas. Further developments regarding an answer from Samsung, counterclaims, other pre-trial motions, discovery milestones, or any trial events are not publicly detailed in the available search results beyond the filing of the complaint and the Markman order. The absence of publicly available information on motions to dismiss, transfer, or stay suggests these have not been significant public events, or their outcomes are not yet widely reported. Similarly, no specific discovery milestones or trial dates are currently reported.

Here is the counsel of record representing the plaintiff, SoftView, LLC, in SoftView, LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. (2:25-cv-00246) in the Eastern District of Texas:

Caddell & Chapman LLP

• Michael A. Caddell (Lead Counsel)
  • Firm: Caddell & Chapman LLP (Houston, Texas office)
  • Experience Note: Michael Caddell is a nationally recognized plaintiff's attorney with extensive trial experience in complex cases, including class actions and intellectual property disputes, often against top defense firms.
• Cynthia B. Chapman (Lead Counsel)
  • Firm: Caddell & Chapman LLP (Houston, Texas office)
  • Experience Note: Cynthia Chapman is a partner at Caddell & Chapman with significant experience in complex litigation, including appellate briefing and the development of settlement structures in large class action recoveries.

Mitby Pacholder Johnson PLLC

• Steven J. Mitby (Lead Counsel)
  • Firm: Mitby Pacholder Johnson PLLC (Houston, Texas office)
  • Experience Note: Steven Mitby is a founding partner with extensive experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes commercial and intellectual property disputes, including patent infringement cases, with a track record of trial victories.

Parker, Bunt & Ainsworth, P.C.

• Robert C. Bunt (Local Counsel)
  • Firm: Parker, Bunt & Ainsworth, P.C. (Tyler, Texas office)
  • Experience Note: Robert "Chris" Bunt is a shareholder at Parker, Bunt & Ainsworth, frequently serving as local counsel in patent litigation matters in the Eastern District of Texas and has tried over 40 cases, including patent infringement actions.
• Charles L. Ainsworth (Local Counsel)
  • Firm: Parker, Bunt & Ainsworth, P.C. (Tyler, Texas office)
  • Experience Note: Charles Ainsworth is a partner at Parker, Bunt & Ainsworth, P.C., a boutique East Texas litigation firm with extensive experience in intellectual property litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants.

J. Wesley Hill, P.C.

• J. Wesley Hill (Local Counsel)
  • Firm: J. Wesley Hill, P.C. (Longview, Texas office)
  • Experience Note: Wesley Hill is an experienced trial lawyer in the Eastern District of Texas, focusing on patent infringement and other business litigation, with more than a dozen trials as lead or co-lead counsel in patent cases.

Of Counsel/Additional Support

• Allan D. Van Fleet (Of Counsel)
  • Firm: Likely affiliated with one of the primary plaintiff firms for this case, although his specific firm for this matter is not explicitly stated in public search results. He is known to have retired from "BigLaw" in 2017 but continues to consult and serve as an expert witness.
  • Experience Note: Allan Van Fleet has a distinguished career specializing in antitrust and intellectual property litigation, having achieved multi-million dollar settlements in patent litigation against major corporations. He has been recognized as a top antitrust lawyer and has tried cases for plaintiffs and defendants across the country.
• Lawrence Jones (Role not explicitly defined but likely involved as Of Counsel or advisor)
  • Firm: No specific firm affiliation for this case was found; multiple attorneys named Lawrence Jones exist, with varying legal focuses. Some public information shows a Lawrence Jones associated with patent filings, specifically in "Prioritized segmentation and reassembly methods and systems." However, further details directly linking him to the SoftView v. Samsung case in an attorney role were not found, and other attorneys with this name specialize in different areas such as personal injury or mediation. Due to the commonality of the name and varied practice areas, a definitive role in this specific case is not clear from publicly available information.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. are represented by a team of attorneys from multiple law firms, including Alston & Bird LLP, DLA Piper, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, in addition to in-house counsel.

Here is a breakdown of the identified counsel:

Alston & Bird LLP
Alston & Bird's Intellectual Property Litigation Group is known for representing clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in patent infringement matters, with experience in a wide range of technologies. They have a strong track record in the Eastern District of Texas, including securing defense jury verdicts.

• Matthew Richardson (Partner, Lead Counsel)
  • Firm: Alston & Bird LLP, Atlanta, Georgia (and other offices)
  • Experience: Co-led a team that secured a $1.05 billion international arbitration award for InterDigital in a dispute with Samsung. His experience includes high-stakes IP litigation and appears to be a key attorney for Samsung in other matters.
• Kristen Bromberek (Partner, Lead Counsel)
  • Firm: Alston & Bird LLP, Charlotte, North Carolina (and other offices)
  • Experience: Was part of the Alston & Bird team that secured a significant arbitration award for InterDigital against Samsung.
• Jamie George (Partner, Trial Counsel)
  • Firm: Alston & Bird LLP, Washington, D.C. (and other offices)
  • Experience: Contributed to the successful InterDigital arbitration against Samsung.
• Bryan Lutz (Partner, Trial Counsel)
  • Firm: Alston & Bird LLP, Dallas, Texas (and other offices)
  • Experience: Member of the team that secured a $1.05 billion arbitration award for InterDigital against Samsung.
• Mark McCarty (Partner, Trial Counsel)
  • Firm: Alston & Bird LLP, Atlanta, Georgia (and other offices)
  • Experience: Involved in the InterDigital arbitration victory for InterDigital against Samsung.
• Andrew Tuck (Partner, Trial Counsel)
  • Firm: Alston & Bird LLP, Silicon Valley, California (and other offices)
  • Experience: Part of the Alston & Bird team that won a $1.05 billion arbitration award for InterDigital in a patent dispute with Samsung.
• Karla Doe (Senior Associate, Support Counsel)
  • Firm: Alston & Bird LLP
  • Experience: Senior associate providing support in the InterDigital arbitration against Samsung.
• Thomas Grantham (Senior Associate, Support Counsel)
  • Firm: Alston & Bird LLP
  • Experience: Senior associate who assisted in the InterDigital arbitration.
• Jason Sigalos (Associate, Support Counsel)
  • Firm: Alston & Bird LLP
  • Experience: Associate who was part of the InterDigital arbitration team.
• Wesley Achey (Partner, Intellectual Property Litigation)
  • Firm: Alston & Bird LLP
  • Experience: Listed as an IP Litigation partner involved in the InterDigital arbitration.
• Philip Ducker (Partner, Intellectual Property Litigation)
  • Firm: Alston & Bird LLP
  • Experience: An IP Litigation partner who was part of the InterDigital arbitration for InterDigital against Samsung.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
Weil, Gotshal & Manges is recognized for its expertise in high-stakes patent litigation, representing many of the world's premier companies, including in the Eastern District of Texas.

• David Lender (Litigation Department Co-Chair, Lead Counsel)
  • Firm: Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, New York, New York (and other offices)
  • Experience: Co-Chair of Weil's Litigation Department, he was part of the team that secured an affirmance of dismissal for Nuance in a four-patent infringement action on Section 101 grounds.

DLA Piper
DLA Piper has secured victories for Samsung in patent litigation, including in the Eastern District of Texas.

• Sean Cunningham (Partner, Trial Counsel)
  • Firm: DLA Piper, Washington, DC
  • Experience: Part of the DLA Piper trial team that secured a victory for Samsung Electronics Co. in the Eastern District of Texas, overturning a jury verdict in a patent infringement case.
• Erin Gibson (Partner, Trial Counsel)
  • Firm: DLA Piper, Washington, DC
  • Experience: Member of the DLA Piper team that secured a victory for Samsung in the Eastern District of Texas.
• Erik Fuehrer (Partner, Trial Counsel)
  • Firm: DLA Piper, Palo Alto, California
  • Experience: Was on the DLA Piper trial team that achieved a win for Samsung in the Eastern District of Texas.
• Mark Fowler (Partner, Trial Counsel)
  • Firm: DLA Piper, Palo Alto, California
  • Experience: Contributed to DLA Piper's successful defense of Samsung in the Eastern District of Texas.
• Brian Erickson (Partner, Trial Counsel)
  • Firm: DLA Piper, Austin, Texas
  • Experience: Member of the DLA Piper trial team that secured a victory for Samsung in the Eastern District of Texas.
• Michael Jay (Partner, Trial Counsel)
  • Firm: DLA Piper, Los Angeles, California
  • Experience: Was part of the DLA Piper team that secured a victory for Samsung in the Eastern District of Texas.
• James Heintz (Partner, Trial Counsel)
  • Firm: DLA Piper, Reston, Virginia
  • Experience: Contributed to DLA Piper's successful defense of Samsung in the Eastern District of Texas.
• Gianni Minutoli (Partner, Trial Counsel)
  • Firm: DLA Piper, Reston, Virginia
  • Experience: Member of the DLA Piper team that achieved a win for Samsung in the Eastern District of Texas.
• Helena Kiepura (Partner, Trial Counsel)
  • Firm: DLA Piper, Washington, DC
  • Experience: Part of the DLA Piper trial team that secured a victory for Samsung in the Eastern District of Texas.
• Martin Ellison (Associate, Support Counsel)
  • Firm: DLA Piper, Los Angeles, California
  • Experience: Associate providing support in DLA Piper's successful defense of Samsung in the Eastern District of Texas.
• Sangwon Sung (Associate, Support Counsel)
  • Firm: DLA Piper, San Francisco, California
  • Experience: Associate who assisted in DLA Piper's successful defense of Samsung.
• Paulina Starostka (Associate, Support Counsel)
  • Firm: DLA Piper, Chicago, Illinois
  • Experience: Associate who assisted in DLA Piper's successful defense of Samsung.
• Benjamin Mueller (Associate, Support Counsel)
  • Firm: DLA Piper, Chicago, Illinois
  • Experience: Associate who assisted in DLA Piper's successful defense of Samsung.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
Quinn Emanuel has successfully represented Samsung in patent disputes, securing favorable outcomes.

In-House Counsel for Samsung Electronics

• Phillip Lee (Principal Legal Counsel, Samsung Electronics US IP Center)
  • Experience: Veteran litigator with extensive experience in patent litigation, prosecution, and licensing, having appeared before numerous federal district courts, the PTAB, the ITC, and the Federal Circuit. He currently manages a docket of patent cases with outside counsel firms and is involved in settlement negotiations and IP asset acquisitions.
• Matthew Bathon (Principal Legal Counsel, Samsung Electronics)
  • Experience: Coordinates Samsung's ITC and district court dockets and focuses his practice on Section 337 investigations before the ITC and IP disputes in district courts.