Federal Circuit Transfers USC Google Patent Suit to California

On October 6, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted mandamus and directed transfer of University of Southern California v. Google LLC from the Western District of Texas to the Northern District of California.

The underlying case involves two patents covering technology for posing user-uploaded 2D photographs as aligned overlays within a 3D model, with allegations concerning Google Earth, Maps, and Street View.

The per curiam order by Judges Dyk, Mayer, and Stark follows former Judge Alan Albright's venue ruling. The court determined that the Northern District of California was the proper venue given the locations of the parties and inventor.

The decision marks one of the final venue-related actions tied to the former Texas docket.