A patent owner suing semiconductor giant Nvidia Corp. took an unusual approach to filing its case in the Western District of Texas, ensuring it was routed to Judge Alan Albright, one of the most sought-after judges in the country for patent suits.
Xockets Inc. filed its initial complaint against Nvidia, Microsoft Corp., and RPX Corp. on September 5, raising only antitrust claims in the Waco Division of the Western District of Texas. This division assigns Judge Albright to all non-patent cases automatically. Within an hour of this initial filing, Xockets submitted an amended complaint that introduced patent claims, thus sidestepping the randomization order typically used for patent cases.
This strategic move by Xockets exemplifies how plaintiffs can navigate procedural nuances to potentially influence the outcome of their cases by handpicking judiciary figures renowned for their favorable rulings in specific types of litigation.
For further details on this case and its implications, see the full report on Bloomberg Law.