On January 26, 2024, the Federal Circuit ruled that it will not compel a Texas federal court to overturn its decision permitting Rotolight Ltd., a leading company in the LED lighting industry, to serve its Chinese competitor, Aputure, with a patent infringement suit via email. The Circuit court deemed the lower court’s choice to be within its discretion.
This ruling follows an ongoing legal spat between the two lighting giants, amplifying the relevance and impact of digital communication within the realms of international patents and litigation proceedings. It contributes to setting new precedents for how legal processes, specifically those related to serving a lawsuit, can adapt in the age of digitization.
While the use of email for service of process is still relatively novel, the court’s decision underlines its applicability, especially in instances involving international defendants.