The 2025 term of the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to address pivotal issues in patent law, with several significant patent litigation cases on the docket. These decisions will shape the landscape of patent litigation, influencing how intellectual property rights are enforced and protected. For innovators, businesses, and legal professionals, understanding these cases is crucial to navigating the evolving terrain of patent law.
Michael Jones of Jones Intellectual Property, a seasoned patent attorney based in New York, offers expert guidance to help clients anticipate and adapt to these legal developments. With over a decade of experience in intellectual property law, Michael provides personalized and cost-effective strategies tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Pivotal Patent Litigation Cases Before the Supreme Court
As 2025 unfolds, the following cases are among the most closely watched by legal scholars, patent holders, and technology companies.
DISH Network L.L.C. v. Dragon Intellectual Property, LLC
The core question in this case is whether district courts can impose joint and several liability for attorney’s fees on a party’s attorney in exceptional cases, particularly when those fees arise not in court, but in related administrative proceedings such as Inter Partes Review (IPR). DISH Network argues that Dragon IP’s tactics have burdened it with unnecessary legal costs and is seeking reimbursement beyond the district court setting. The Supreme Court’s answer will likely impact fee-shifting strategies across patent law cases, notably in disputes involving aggressive litigation and overlapping administrative actions, which may influence litigation strategies and attorney accountability.
Brumfield v. IBG LLC
Few patent lawsuits carry the potential to reset decades of precedent. This is one. Here, Brumfield challenges the application of the Alice/Mayo test for patent eligibility under the Patent Act. Brumfield argues that the test’s reliance on “judicial exceptions” has no textual basis in the Patent Act and renders too many innovations, especially software and business method patents, vulnerable to invalidation. A decision in this case could redefine the boundaries of patentable subject matter, affecting the validity of numerous patents, especially in the software and financial sectors. This case could restore broader eligibility to inventions currently sidelined by the courts and would be a seismic shift for technology companies and fintech innovators alike.
Lighting Defense Group LLC v. SnapRays, LLC
This case questioned whether filing a complaint through Amazon’s APEX patent infringement dispute resolution program constitutes “purposeful availment” sufficient to establish personal jurisdiction in the alleged infringer’s home forum. Lighting Defense Group had initiated an APEX complaint against SnapRays. In response, SnapRays filed for declaratory judgment in its home state, arguing that the APEX filing subjected Lighting Defense to jurisdiction there.
The Supreme Court denied certiorari on March 24, 2025, leaving the Tenth Circuit’s decision in place. That lower court ruling held that merely participating in Amazon’s internal resolution program did not establish minimum contacts under the Due Process Clause.
The denial of review effectively affirms a narrow interpretation of personal jurisdiction in the context of private platform dispute processes. The takeaway for patent owners leveraging Amazon or other e-commerce IP enforcement tools is clear: asserting rights through those channels may not expose them to litigation in faraway forums. This precedent reinforces the importance of evaluating jurisdictional risk before initiating digital enforcement, especially for those navigating patent cases online.
Why Do These Cases Matter for Upcoming Patent Law Cases?
Each case sits at the intersection of legal theory and practical consequence. Here’s what they could mean for stakeholders navigating a patent lawsuit in real time.
Attorney’s Fees and Liability
Should the Court endorse broader liability for fees, attorneys may face greater scrutiny for their tactics in multi-forum disputes. This could deter nuisance filings and recalibrate settlement pressure.
Redefining Eligibility Standards
The Brumfield case represents a long-standing frustration in patent law. Critics of the Alice/Mayo test argue it introduces unpredictability and undercuts innovation in high-growth sectors like AI and blockchain. The Court’s willingness to revisit this issue could mark a renaissance for previously “ineligible” patents.
Jurisdiction in the Digital Age
The SnapRays dispute underscores the evolving nature of enforcement in a platform-driven economy. As marketplaces adopt private enforcement tools like APEX, the question of where a patent case can, and should, be heard gains urgency.
What Do These Patent Lawsuits Mean for Inventors and Businesses?
Understanding the full impact of these lawsuits requires more than a surface-level reading. That’s where strategic legal advice makes all the difference. If you’re navigating innovation or defending existing IP assets, these are the questions to ask now:
- How could these rulings affect my portfolio?
- Am I exposed to fee-related risks?
- Do my enforcement tactics invite jurisdictional trouble?
- Your legal strategy must evolve with the law.
When the law is still in flux, the smartest move is to retain counsel who stays ahead of the curve.
The stakes in these patent litigation cases are high, and the ripple effects may last for decades. Whether the issue is software eligibility, attorney liability, or digital jurisdiction, the 2025 Supreme Court term offers no safe harbor for business-as-usual thinking.
That’s where Michael Jones comes in.
At Jones Intellectual Property, clients receive more than just legal advice. They gain access to custom-tailored strategies, upfront pricing, and insight grounded in over a decade of high-stakes IP litigation and enforcement. Michael has successfully represented plaintiffs and defendants in district courts, the Federal Circuit, and administrative forums such as the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. His engineering background and technical fluency give him a unique edge—one that translates complex arguments into enforceable protection.
Whether you’re an inventor developing next-gen software, an established corporation safeguarding a design patent, or a startup confronting a cross-border dispute, you need a partner who knows the law and understands your business. Engaging with a knowledgeable attorney like Michael safeguards your intellectual property and positions your business for success in the shifting landscape of patent law. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and develop a strategy that’s as forward-looking as your innovation.
