Modulus Systems v. Murata Electronics — RF Module Patent Infringement Action
Modulus Systems, LLC filed suit against Murata Electronics North America, Inc. in May 2023 in the Eastern District of Texas, asserting infringement of US8610573B2, a patent covering radio frequency module technology and data transmission methods. The case was assigned to Chief Judge Rodney Gilstrap, one of the most active patent jurists in the country.
RF module patent clash lands before Gilstrap in E.D. Tex.
On 18 May 2023, Modulus Systems, LLC filed a patent infringement action against Murata Electronics North America, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Case No. 2:23-cv-00220). The asserted patent, US8610573B2 (application no. US12/558484), covers radio frequency module technology and methods of transmitting and receiving data — a foundational area of wireless communications hardware in which Murata is a globally significant manufacturer.
The case was assigned to Chief Judge Rodney Gilstrap, the Eastern District of Texas’s most prominent patent jurist and one of the highest-volume patent trial judges in the United States. Modulus Systems was represented by Kent & Risley LLC (Alpharetta), with attorney Cortney Alexander on the plaintiff side. Murata Electronics North America retained Haynes & Boone, LLP (Costa Mesa), with Jason T. Lao appearing for the defence. The case record indicates a close date of 30 January 2024, though outcome status is recorded as open.
The gap between the recorded close date and the open status designation may suggest an administrative update, a procedural transfer, or that the docket reflects an interim event rather than a final disposition. No verdict, basis of termination, or cost ruling appears in the public record. The relatively compressed timeline — roughly eight months from filing — is consistent with early-stage resolution discussions or procedural activity, but the absence of a recorded verdict leaves the ultimate outcome uncertain from publicly available data.
Filing to filing in 257 days
Approximately 257 days from filing to close — relatively swift for a patent infringement action in E.D. Tex.
Full party and counsel information
| Role | Name | Type | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plaintiff | Modulus Systems, LLC | Company | Patent assertion entity — holder of US8610573B2 covering RF module technologySearch in Eureka ↗ |
| Defendant | Murata Electronics North America, Inc. | Company | U.S. subsidiary of Murata Manufacturing, a leading global RF components makerSearch in Eureka ↗ |
| Plaintiff counsel | Cortney Alexander | Attorney | Counsel for Modulus Systems, LLCSearch in Eureka ↗ |
| Defendant counsel | Jason T. Lao | Attorney | Counsel for Murata Electronics North America, Inc.Search in Eureka ↗ |
| Presiding judge | Judge Rodney Gilstrap | Chief Judge | Texas Eastern District Court — Chief JudgeSearch in Eureka ↗ |
Stipulation of dismissal — official text
No verdict has been recorded in the publicly available case data for 2:23-cv-00220. The case is designated as open, and the basis of termination field is blank. This means no finding of infringement, invalidity, or damages has been formally entered on the public docket. The absence of a verdict is consistent with a case still in early proceedings, pending procedural resolution, or subject to confidential settlement discussions not yet reflected in court records.
US8610573B2 — Radio Frequency Module & Data Transmission Methods
US8610573B2 (application no. US12/558484) protects a radio frequency module and associated methods for transmitting and receiving data. RF modules of this type are foundational to modern wireless communication systems, enabling devices to send and receive signals across a range of frequencies. The application number prefix and grant status place this patent in the mainstream of wireless hardware IP developed during the period of rapid expansion in wireless connectivity standards, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and early LTE-era technologies.
For the RF component sector, this patent carries strategic weight. Murata Electronics North America is the U.S. arm of one of the world’s largest manufacturers of passive electronic components and RF modules, supplying OEMs across consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial IoT markets. A finding of infringement — or a licence compelled by litigation — could have downstream pricing or design implications for any product integrating Murata-sourced RF front-end modules. Competitors and supply chain participants should treat this assertion as a signal to audit their own RF module sourcing and design freedom.
Should your RF module product be cleared against US8610573B2?
Any company designing, sourcing, or integrating radio frequency modules — particularly those used in wireless data transmission applications — should consider whether US8610573B2 poses a freedom-to-operate risk. The patent’s focus on module-level architecture and transmit/receive methods means its claims may extend beyond Murata’s specific products to a range of functionally similar RF designs used across IoT, consumer electronics, and telecommunications hardware.
PatSnap Eureka’s FTO Search Agent allows R&D and IP teams to run structured claim-by-claim analysis against US8610573B2, mapping your product’s technical features against the granted claims and identifying design-around opportunities or invalidity angles. Ongoing claim monitoring through Eureka can also alert your team if continuation patents or related applications derived from the same priority chain emerge — a critical capability when an assertion campaign against a major component supplier is already underway.
Run a freedom-to-operate analysis on US8610573B2 to assess your product’s exposure
Run FTO in Eureka →Similar RF module and wireless component patent cases in E.D. Tex.
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What this case signals for the RF module and wireless IP landscape
RF module patents are increasingly contested territory. This filing reinforces E.D. Tex. as the venue of choice for wireless hardware assertions.
E.D. Tex. remains the dominant forum for wireless component IP disputes
The Eastern District of Texas, under Chief Judge Gilstrap, continues to attract a disproportionate share of patent infringement filings targeting electronics and wireless component manufacturers. Companies in the RF module supply chain should treat this jurisdiction as a standing enforcement risk, regardless of their own operational footprint in the district.
US8610573B2 covers core RF data transmission methods — broad applicability risk
Patents protecting radio frequency module architecture and data transmit/receive methods can apply across a wide range of wireless products — from IoT sensors to cellular infrastructure components. Any manufacturer or integrator of RF modules should assess whether their product designs fall within the claim scope of US8610573B2 before commercialisation or expansion into new product lines.
Modulus v Murata — key questions answered
Modulus Systems, LLC sued Murata Electronics North America, Inc. for patent infringement in the Eastern District of Texas on 18 May 2023. The asserted patent is US8610573B2, which covers radio frequency module technology and methods of transmitting and receiving data. The case is assigned to Chief Judge Rodney Gilstrap.
US8610573B2 (application no. US12/558484) is a granted U.S. patent that protects a radio frequency module and associated methods for transmitting and receiving data. It covers foundational wireless hardware technology applicable to a range of devices that communicate over radio frequencies, including IoT devices, consumer electronics, and telecommunications equipment.
The case is recorded as open. Although a close date of 30 January 2024 appears in administrative records, no verdict or basis of termination has been recorded in publicly available data. The ultimate outcome remains uncertain from the public docket alone.
The Eastern District of Texas, and in particular the docket of Chief Judge Rodney Gilstrap, is one of the most frequently selected venues for patent infringement suits in the United States. Its plaintiff-friendly procedural reputation, experienced patent judiciary, and established case management practices make it a common strategic choice for patent assertion entities and licensing-focused plaintiffs targeting large technology companies.
Modulus Systems is represented by attorney Cortney Alexander of Kent & Risley LLC (Alpharetta, Georgia). Murata Electronics North America is defended by attorney Jason T. Lao of Haynes & Boone, LLP (Costa Mesa, California). Haynes & Boone is a major firm with significant patent litigation practice depth.
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