The tech battlefield is heating up again. Headwater Research LLC, a Texas-based intellectual property firm, has filed another federal patent infringement suit against Google, alleging that the tech giant’s Android devices generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue by using wireless technologies that Headwater invented and patented.

The complaint, lodged Friday in Texas federal court, accuses Google LLC of infringing two wireless communication patents designed to reduce data consumption and extend battery life across millions of Android-powered smartphones and devices.

“On information and belief, Google’s revenues derived from the use of Headwater’s patented technologies extend well into the tens of billions,” the lawsuit claims.

Google Allegedly Ignored Patent Warnings

According to Headwater Research, Google has been aware of the patents since January 2024, when the company sued Samsung for similar violations. That litigation, which ended in September after a series of settlements, included one case where a jury awarded $279 million to Headwater.

The new suit asserts that Samsung shared complaint details and evidence from those earlier cases with Google, giving the search giant “clear notice” of the patents in question. Headwater also claims it served a subpoena on Google during the Samsung case, including full copies of the patents now at issue.

Despite this, Headwater alleges that Google “knowingly and intentionally induces and contributes to infringement,” willfully ignoring its obligations under U.S. patent law.

The Patents at the Heart of the Fight

The contested patents are U.S. Patent No. 9,179,359, issued November 13, 2015, and U.S. Patent No. 9,609,544, issued March 28, 2017. Headwater claims full ownership and rights to pursue both past and future damages, including royalties for every Android device using the technology.

The lawsuit demands that the court declare Google’s conduct willful, which could trigger enhanced damages. It also seeks a declaration affirming the validity and enforceability of both patents, along with compensation “no less than a reasonable royalty.”

A Broader Legal Offensive

This filing is part of a larger patent campaign launched by Headwater and its founder, Gregory Raleigh, an inventor and entrepreneur best known for founding ItsOn Inc. Raleigh’s innovations, according to court filings, power systems that enhance cellular data management and expand service plan capabilities for mobile carriers.

In August, Headwater fired off multiple lawsuits in Texas against Google, Apple, Amazon, and major cable and wireless providers including Comcast, Charter, and Dish Network. Each of those cases targeted mobile device functionalities such as push notifications and data optimization.

Past Legal Victories Bolster Headwater’s Case

Headwater’s legal track record adds pressure to Google’s defense. Earlier this year, a Texas jury ordered Samsung to pay $279 million, though one of the patents in that case was later partially invalidated by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Meanwhile, in July, another jury awarded $175 million to Headwater after finding that Verizon Communications Inc. had infringed two of its patents. The company also secured settlements with AT&T and T-Mobile in 2023, none of which overlap with the patents now being asserted against Google.

Legal Teams and Next Steps

Headwater is represented by Brian D. Ledahl, Dale Chang, James N. Pickens, James S. Tsuei, Jason M. Wietholter, Kristopher R. Davis, Reza Mirzaie, and Marc A. Fenster of Russ August & Kabat—the same powerhouse team behind its Samsung and Verizon victories.

Counsel for Google was not immediately available for comment on Monday.

As the Google Headwater IP Claims move forward, industry observers are watching closely. With billions of dollars and Android’s technological backbone at stake, this case could redefine the balance of power in the high-stakes world of wireless patent innovation.