Sectors
Foley & Lardner LLP is pleased to announce that after more than two years of litigation and a jury trial last week, the firm secured a favorable verdict in the Marshall Division of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas for Hong Kong-based GDC Technology Limited (GDC), a global pioneer and innovator in digital cinema technology.
The case involved technology used to securely distribute, authenticate, and play digital content in movie theaters. PLS IV alleged that GDC’s media servers infringed two patents covering cryptographic authentication and content-protection technology.
At trial, PLS IV sought more than $43 million for infringement of one or both asserted patents. On October 6, 2026, the jury’s verdict delivered a complete defense win on one of the two asserted patents, with the jury finding that GDC did not infringe. On the second patent, the jury awarded $3,075,435 of the damages sought by the plaintiff. Foley and GDC are grateful for the outcome of the trial, but more importantly, want to extend their deepest appreciation to the Court for its professionalism, patience, and diligence, and to the members of the jury for their commitment and sacrifice of time in fulfilling their civic duty.
“For nearly 30 years, GDC’s hardworking founders and dedicated engineering team have remained committed to advancing the moviegoing experience,” said Foley partners Michael Thomas and Roland Potts following the verdict. “GDC continues to innovate today, developing technology that helps theaters bring audiences increasingly immersive visual and audio experiences. Foley was proud to defend this legacy of innovation.”
Foley partners Roland Potts, Michael Thomas, and Paul Storm led the Foley team defending GDC alongside Rachel Gillespie, Michelle Moran, Aaron Chibili, Davis Mosmeyer, Brad Roush, Tanya Durham, and Rowan Garcia. The Foley team was assisted at trial by local counsel Andy Tindel from the MT2 Law Group, attorney M. Craig Tyler from Ashurst Perkins Coie LLP and trial/jury consultant Valerie Tyler of Competitive Edge Consulting.
The case is PLS IV, LLC v. GDC Technology Limited, No. 2:24-cv-00466-JRG.
