Judge Albright Issues Final Written Ruling Granting BMW Anti-Suit Injunction: Landmark Decision Reinforces Exclusive U.S. Adjudication of U.S. Patent Disputes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC–In a decisive victory for BMW and the sovereignty of the U.S. patent system, Judge Alan Albright of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas issued his final written ruling on February 13, 2026, granting BMW’s motion for an anti-suit injunction (ASI) against Onesta IP, LLC, a non-practicing entity (NPE).

The order directs Onesta to immediately terminate its infringement proceedings before the Munich Regional Court I in Germany, where it asserted two U.S. patents (Nos. 8,854,381 and 8,443,209) against BMW. Building on his oral grant of the injunction on January 13, 2026, Judge Albright's detailed written opinion reaffirms that alleged infringement of U.S. patents must be resolved exclusively in U.S. courts, under U.S. law, with all attendant procedural protections — including the right to a jury trial.

In the ruling, Judge Albright stressed that permitting foreign courts to adjudicate U.S. patent infringement would undermine longstanding U.S. policy and Congressional intent for domestic enforcement of U.S. patent rights. He underscored the irreparable prejudice to defendants like BMW, including the deprivation of fundamental safeguards unavailable abroad—such as the constitutional right to a jury trial, comprehensive discovery, and invalidity determinations with nationwide effect.

This decision directly counters Onesta's strategy of asserting U.S. patents in foreign forums to exert leverage outside the U.S. judicial framework.

BMW maintains a consistent zero-tolerance policy toward meritless assertions by NPEs, regardless of venue. Such tactics have repeatedly failed to secure settlements or licenses from BMW over many years. BMW remains dedicated to resolving U.S. patent disputes through proper U.S. adjudication.

Finnegan partner Lionel Lavenue, BMW's lead counsel, stated: “We are pleased by Judge Albright's comprehensive February 13 written ruling. He powerfully defended the constitutional role of the American jury system—a protection not afforded in foreign proceedings like those in German courts—and reaffirmed that U.S. patents must be litigated in U.S. courts. This landmark outcome safeguards the integrity of the U.S. patent system, ensures defendants receive a full and fair defense in the appropriate forum, and deters procedural maneuvers aimed at circumventing American judicial processes.”

This ruling sets a significant precedent in cross-border patent enforcement, particularly as international litigation strategies evolve.

Contacts
 
Terra Liddell, Chief Marketing Officer
terra.liddell@finnegan.com

Angela Robinson, Director of Branding and Communications
angela.robinson@finnegan.com

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