A recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit means Apple and Qualcomm must keep fighting a patent lawsuit in Texas, not California as they hoped. This case, started in 2021 by Red Rock Analytics, is separate from the company’s earlier settled disputes.
Red Rock claims Apple and Qualcomm are using its technology for wireless transceivers in 5G and Wi-Fi 6 chips without permission. In March, U.S. District Judge Alan Albright decided the case should stay in Texas, where both companies have operations.
Apple and Qualcomm argued that California would be more convenient for witnesses and documents, but the appeals court disagreed. They said the companies didn’t prove Texas was unfair or that Judge Albright made a clear mistake. The court noted that no witnesses refused to testify in Texas, and documents could be accessed electronically.
This means the lawsuit will continue in Texas, known for being friendly to patent holders. The case could go to trial by late 2026 if no settlement is reached. Red Rock is seeking damages and wants to stop Apple and Qualcomm from using its technology. For now, both companies must prepare to defend themselves in Texas courtrooms.