Dechert’s Client IOENGINE Wins Federal Circuit Denial of Roku’s Mandamus Petition to Transfer Venue in Patent Suit

A three-judge panel of the Federal Circuit has upheld the Western District of Texas’s October 2022 ruling in favor of Dechert’s client, IOENGINE, LLC, and denied Roku, Inc.’s mandamus petition for transfer of venue to the Northern District of California.

Dechert’s lawyers convincingly argued that Roku’s assertion that no relevant evidence and witnesses exist in the Western District of Texas was unfounded. In an order unsealed in October 2022 denying Roku’s motion to transfer venue, the District Court agreed with Dechert’s argument that Roku’s motion was undermined by a lack of candor, including a finding that “IOENGINE ha[d] convincingly shown” that Roku’s witnesses in the Western District of Texas “possess particularly relevant knowledge to th[e] case,” which “seriously call[ed] into question the credibility of the statements made in Roku’s Opening Motion and Declaration.”  ECF No. 87 at 8.

On March 23, the Federal Circuit upheld the District Court’s ruling, stating “the district court considered the relevant factors and found, based on the record evidence and perceived lack of credibility of Roku’s declarant, that Roku had failed to show the Northern District of California was clearly more convenient, particularly given the sources of proof and potential witnesses in the Western District of Texas.”

The Dechert team includes intellectual property partners Noah Leibowitz and Gregory Chuebon, with associates Derek Brader and Michael Joshi.

About Dechert

Dechert is a leading global law firm with 21 offices around the world. The firm advises on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.