Google, Others Must Face Smart Thermostat Patent Suits in Texas

Google LLC, Ecobee Inc., and Vivint Inc. failed to convince the Western District of Texas to give up suits alleging the companies infringed EcoFactor Inc.'s patents covering smart home energy-saving technology.

The three defendants argued it would be more convenient to litigate the cases in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, where EcoFactor and Google have their headquarters. Ecobee is a Canadian corporation, and Vivint is based in Utah.

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas Judge Alan Albright refused to transfer the suits. His courtroom has become the busiest in the country for ...