Xockets, a Texas-based company known for its advanced Data Processing Units (DPUs), has filed two lawsuits against Amazon.com, Inc. and Amazon Web Services. The suits, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division, accuse Amazon of willfully infringing on Xockets’ patents related to DPU technologies.
The allegations suggest that Amazon has used Xockets’ patented innovations without permission to enhance its cloud computing performance and reduce operating costs. According to Xockets, this infringement is evident in Amazon’s Annapurna Labs in Austin, Texas, which is described as “ground zero” for the alleged activities.
Robert Cote, a board member of Xockets and an early investor, said: “These lawsuits aren’t just about patents. They’re about laws of a higher order,” adding that “Innovation is sacred. Creation is divine.” Cote emphasized that Xockets developed these technologies only to have them used by Amazon without consent or compensation.
In 2017, Amazon held a meeting with Xockets under the pretense of acquiring the company but did not proceed with the acquisition. A year later, Amazon began deploying Nitro DPUs across its data centers—a move that Xockets claims resulted in significant financial benefits for Amazon.
The first lawsuit targets three patents related to DPU computing architecture used by Amazon’s cloud servers. The second focuses on four patents concerning DPU switching architecture for cloud fabric. Both suits seek injunctions and monetary damages from Amazon.
Xockets is represented by Susman Godfrey LLP and seeks a swift resolution due to what it describes as widespread infringement causing irreparable harm to its business.
