In November, Apple and Intel jointly filed a complaint that practically constituted an amended version of one previously brought by Intel against Softbank-owned Fortress Investment, a group that operates a number of patent troll firms such as what may be the most infamous patent troll in history, Uniloc. This morning a docket entry made an order by United States District Judge Edward M. Chen (Northern District of California) publicly known, but the actual document is sealed for the time being:
(UNDER SEAL) ORDER granting [111], [114] Motion to Dismiss. Plaintiff granted leave to amend. Signed by Judge Edward M. Chen on 7/7/2020. (afmS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 7/7/2020)
This outcome--a dismissal, but with a chance for Apple and Intel to amend the pleadings--is consistent with what Law360 expected to happen based on a mid-June hearing.
Short of knowing what exactly the order says, I can't elaborate, but the decision per se warranted a post. It's a safe assumption that Apple and Intel will give it a new try, and Fortress will likely argue that even the amended pleadings are lacking and wanting. They may get support once again from Antitrust Assistant Attorney General Makan "Macomm" Delrahim, whose primary objective it is to strengthen the owners of weak patents--never mind if it involves siding with foreign and foreign-owned entities against some of America's most innovative and iconic companies (Make America Great Again, anyone?). However, "Macomm" won't have too many more months in office, judging by the polls (which I find very disappointing, though I can relate to many voters' disenfranchisement with the Trump Administration given what went wrong this year in a couple of extremely important contexts).
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