Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Litigation Update: AR Design Innovations Litigations Cases Consolidated Into Single Action

In our Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Litigation Update series, we provide continuous updates on legal proceedings involving AR/VR technology. As we follow these developing proceedings, we highlight the technologies involved, the intellectual property at issue, and the litigation strategies of the parties. 

In our first post regarding AR Designs Innovations, we noted that three furniture companies were being sued for patent infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,277,572 owned by AR Design Innovations. Recently, the Eastern District of Texas ordered that the three cases be consolidated into a single action.

Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, courts have the power to consolidate cases that involve "a common question of law or fact" into a single trial. Fed. R. Civ. P. 42(a). Essentially, consolidation is a procedural vehicle that allows a court to reduce its volume of litigations while maximizing efficiency and judicial economy. A court may choose to