AZA has filed three patent infringement lawsuits in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on behalf of its client, international technology manufacturer Acer.  

U.S. telecommunications carriers AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and T-Mobile USA Inc. are named in the individual lawsuits alleging improper use of six U.S. patents held by Acer.   

The standard essential patents (SEPs) are critical components in 4G and 5G wireless technologies. The complaints assert that AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile have incorporated Acer’s patented technologies into their networks and devices without obtaining the necessary licenses, infringing on Acer’s intellectual property rights. Over the past decade, Acer’s investment in research and innovation has resulted in a substantial global patent portfolio spanning multiple international jurisdictions, including a significant number of cellular SEPs. 

“Acer has developed technologies that now form the backbone of 4G and 5G standards,” said Warren J. McCarty III, managing partner of AZA’s Dallas office and lead counsel on the matters. “These companies have undoubtedly benefitted from Acer’s developments but have done so without properly compensating them for their innovation.” 

 “While the company would prefer to have come to a fair and reasonable licensing agreement, those discussions were thwarted, forcing the company to pursue litigation,” added Jason McManis, who leads AZA’s intellectual property section. 

The cases are: Acer, Inc. v. AT&T, Inc. et al. (Case No. 2:26-cv-00025); Acer, Inc. v. T-Mobile USA, Inc. et al. (Case No. 2:26-cv-00026); and Acer, Inc. v. Verizon Communications Inc. et al. (Case No. 2:26-cv-00027), all before Judge Rodney Gilstrap in Marshall, Texas. 

AZA, or Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing, is a Houston-based law firm that is home to true courtroom lawyers with a formidable track record in complex commercial litigation, including energy, healthcare, intellectual property and business dispute cases. AZA was recognized again by Chambers USA 2025 as among the best in Texas in commercial law and intellectual property; the firm has been listed by Best Lawyers’ Best Law Firms as one of the country’s best commercial litigation firms for 13 years; has been named Litigation Department of the Year by Texas Lawyer three times; and was dubbed a Texas Powerhouse law firm by Law360.