Texas Lawyer

09/02/2026

OpenAI faces accusations by Austin-based Many Worlds 2T Innovations that the company's ChatGPT and software infringe patents covering AI technology.

Beyond direct infringement, the complaint alleges that OpenAI encourages infringement by users and developers through documentation, tutorials, API references, product marketing, guides and in-product prompts.

“OpenAI’s continued unlicensed use impairs Many Worlds’ ability to license the Many Worlds Asserted Patents on exclusive or field-limited terms,” the complaint stated. “Furthermore, an entity—whether practicing or non-practicing—is entitled to use its assets to partner with or exclude whomever it chooses.”

Law firms Cadwell Thomas of Houston and Cherry Johnson Siegmund James, PC of Waco are representing Many Worlds.

From reporter Angela Morris: 🔗 https://www.law.com/therecorder/2026/09/02/suit-claims-openais-chatgpt-violates-five-ai-patents-held-by-texas-company/

09/02/2026

A tribe-owned entity claims Dallas Cowboys great Emmitt Smith and a business partner took what was intended as an investment in a solar farm project and used it to repay another investor.

09/02/2026

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner has opened an office in Dallas with the hire of a former regional director at the USPTO and a McKool Smith trial lawyer.

Joining the firm are Hope S., who was regional director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office's Southwest Regional Outreach Office, and McKool Smith trial and appellate principal Christian Hurt.

“Texas is where innovation is being built and where intellectual property is being tested,” James Barney, Finnegan’s managing partner, wrote in a press release.

From senior reporter Brenda Jeffreys: 🔗 https://www.law.com/texaslawyer/2026/09/02/ip-firm-finnegan-moves-into-texas-with-dallas-office/

09/02/2026

Docket Navigator data shows it is the fifth patent case OpenAI has defended since March 2025.

09/02/2026

U.S. District Judge Alan Albright in the Western District of Texas kept the jury's infringement decision intact in the dispute between semiconductor manufacturer GlobalFoundries and plaintiff Katana Silicon Technologies but decided the damages award could not stand.

The only damages figure supported by the evidence was the $1 million estimate given by GlobalFoundries' own expert, so the court entered judgment for that amount instead of granting a new trial.

Lawyers from Paul Hastings represented GlobalFoundries, while lawyers with Carter Arnett PLLC represent Katana.

From litigation reporter Laura Lorek: 🔗 https://www.law.com/texaslawyer/2026/09/01/judge-albright-slashes-92-million-verdict-to-1-million/

09/02/2026

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, an intellectual property-focused firm that opened the Dallas office on Wednesday, already has an active litigation docket in Texas.

09/01/2026

Vartabedian Katz Hester & Haynes has hired three McKool Smith trial lawyers in Dallas with experience in commercial and intellectual property litigation.

Joining the firm are Gary Cruciani, Travis DeArman and Scott Hejny.

"These guys overnight could take us from having no IP practice to [having] a fantastic one," said Rob Vartabedian, a founder of the firm.

Vartabedian said he expects others from McKool Smith to join their colleagues at his firm.

From senior reporter Brenda Jeffreys: 🔗 https://www.law.com/texaslawyer/2026/09/01/vartabedian-katz-picks-up-3-mckool-smith-trial-lawyers-in-dallas/

09/01/2026

A federal judge upheld a jury's finding that GlobalFoundries infringed a Katana Silicon Technologies patent but slashed the damages award from $9.2 million to $1 million after finding Katana failed to adequately support its damages theory.

A federal judge upheld a jury’s finding that GlobalFoundries infringed a Katana Silicon Technologies patent but slashed the damages award from $9.2 million to $1 million after finding Katana failed to adequately support its damages theory.

09/01/2026

Jones Walker has added a five-lawyer team in Lafayette, Louisiana, that focuses on economic drivers in the state's Acadiana region.

Joining the firm are energy specialist Thomas Smart and corporate litigator Steven Lanza as partners, and litigator David Fink, corporate attorney Mark Oliver and maritime lawyer Douglas Truxillo as counsels.

"The move strengthens the firm's position with companies operating in the energy, maritime, and industrial sectors that drive the regional economy,” managing partner Bill Hines told reporter Tom Spigolon.

🔗 https://www.law.com/dailyreportonline/2026/09/01/jones-walker-adds-energy-and-litigation-team-in-latest-expansion-along-gulf-coast/

09/01/2026

The lateral group, led by longtime McKool Smith partner Gary Cruciani, adds an intellectual property trial practice to the growing Vartabedian Katz Hester & Haynes.