LED Wafer Solutions LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Background

LED Wafer Solutions LLC brought a patent-infringement case against Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. and other defendants. The defendants sought to stay the case while the patents identified as the “137, “822, and “405 patents underwent ex parte reexaminations, meaning reexaminations conducted through a process initiated by a third party or the patent owner without the participation of the patent examiner and patent owner together in an inter partes proceeding. The opinion does not identify which party filed the stay motion or the motions to dismiss.

Reasoning

The court applied three factors used when deciding whether to stay a patent case pending patent reexamination: the stage of the litigation, whether the reexamination would simplify the issues and trial, and whether the stay would unfairly prejudice or create a clear tactical disadvantage for the party opposing it. The court found that all three factors favored a stay. The litigation was at a relatively early stage, reexamination would simplify the case, and LED Wafer Solutions had not shown prejudice or a clear tactical disadvantage.

Ruling

The court granted the motion to stay. The case was stayed pending final resolution of the ex parte reexaminations. The parties were ordered to file a joint status report every 180 days until the stay was lifted, with the first report due July 31, 2023. They were also ordered to notify the court within 14 days after final resolution of the reexaminations. Judge Vince Chhabria denied the motions to dismiss without prejudice to refiling them once the stay was lifted.