Rice Technology Law Group Secures Early Dismissal of Patent Case on Threshold Motion

Rice Technology Law Group secured an early victory for its clients in a patent infringement action in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. On January 28, 2026, the court granted the counter-defendants’ motion for judgment on the pleadings, finding non-infringement as a matter of law and entering judgment before a Markman hearing.

The court adopted Rice Technology Law Group’s proposed claim construction and held that the accused products could not satisfy a required claim limitation. Based on the pleadings and intrinsic patent evidence, the court concluded that the  defendant’s' infringement theory failed at the threshold and cancelled the scheduled Markman hearing.

Such early dispositive rulings are uncommon in patent litigation, where courts typically resolve infringement only after full claim construction proceedings. Here, the court found the claim language clear on its face and determined that no further proceedings were necessary.

“Patent cases are expensive,” said Ed Rice, founder of Rice Technology Law Group. “Our focus is not just on winning, but on winning efficiently. Resolving a complex patent case on a threshold motion is like winning a chess game in five moves—and it is far better for the client.”

About Rice Technology Law Group
Rice Technology Law Group is a boutique law firm focused on patent litigation, technology disputes, and complex commercial matters. The firm represents companies from startups to established technology leaders in federal courts nationwide.