NPEs continued an active fall.* Frequent filers included AML IP, Andra Group, Big Will Enterprises, Linfo IP, Patent Armory, S3G Technology and Torus Ventures.
As usual, I prepared the report in partnership with and using Docket Navigator and its powerful database. Docket Navigator is a valuable resource, and the place to go if you want to keep track of new patent litigation filings or want to know what is happening in particular cases, how your judge has historically handled a particular type of motion, or a particular plaintiff’s litigation history. Finally, please let me know if you have thoughts about the report or changes you would like to see. I am preparing it as a service for retailers and their supply chain who may want an overview of the patent litigation landscape. So, I am very open to your suggestions for improving the report.
* Note I am catching up on a backlog because of some very busy IP litigation over the last year or so.
AML IP LLC v. Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. (multiple cases) (W.D. Tex.).
Judges: District Judge David Count; District Judge Leon Schydlower
Claims: Infringement
Defendants:
- Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.
- Sally Beauty Supply LLC
- Sephora USA, Inc.
- Staples, Inc.
- The Kroger Co.
Plaintiff: AML IP LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Ramey
Patent: 7,177,838 (Method and apparatus for conducting electronic commerce transactions using electronic tokens)
Andra Group, LP v. Dillard’s, Inc. (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).
Judge: District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III
Claims: Infringement
Defendants:
- American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
- Claire’s Stores, Inc.
- Dillard’s, Inc.
- Hot Topic, Inc.
Plaintiff: Andra Group, LP
Pls. Cnsl: Bruster; Sorey & Hoover
Patent: 8,078,498 (Virtual showroom system and method)
Biogy, Inc. v. Albertsons Companies, Inc. et al (E.D. Tex.).
Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap
Claims: Infringement
Defendants:
- Albertsons Companies, Inc.
- Albertsons LLC
Plaintiff: Biogy, Inc.
Pls. Cnsl: Global IP Law Group
Patent: 7,669,236 (Determining whether to grant access to a passcode protected system)
Big Will Enterprises Inc. v. Kia America, Inc. (W.D. Tex.).
Claims: Infringement
Defendant: Kia America, Inc.
Plaintiff: Big Will Enterprises Inc.
Pls. Cnsl: Eureka Intellectual Property Law
Patent: 10,521,846 (Targeted advertisement selection for a wireless communication device (WCD)); 8,452,273 (Systems and methods for determining mobile thing motion activity (MTMA) using accelerometer of wireless communication device); 8,559,914 (Interactive personal surveillance and security (IPSS) system); 8,737,951 (Interactive personal surveillance and security (IPSS) systems and methods); 9,049,558 (Systems and methods for determining mobile thing motion activity (MTMA) using sensor data of wireless communication device (WCD) and initiating activity-based actions)
Data Fence LLC v. Aura Sub, LLC (D. Mass.).
Judge: District Judge Indira Talwani
Claims: Infringement
Defendant: Aura Sub, LLC
Plaintiff: Data Fence LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Dickinson Wright; Rabicoff Law
Patent: 8,917,843 (Methods and systems for inbound call control); 9,491,286 (Methods and systems for inbound call control); 9,819,797 (Methods and systems for inbound call control)
EasyWeb Innovations LLC v. Sync.com Inc. (E.D. Tex.).
Claims: Infringement
Defendant: Sync.com Inc.
Plaintiff: EasyWeb Innovations, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Hecht Partners
Patent: 10,114,905 (Individual user selectable multi-level authorization method for accessing a computer system)
FlexShopper, Inc. v. Acima Digital, LLC d/b/a Acima Leasing (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).
Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap
Claims: Infringement
Defendants:
- Acima Digital, LLC d/b/a Acima Leasing
- Acima Holdings, LLC d/b/a Acima Leasing
- Katapult Holdings, Inc.
- Upbound Group, Inc.
Plaintiff: FlexShopper, Inc.
Pls. Cnsl: Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan; Ward Smith & Hill
Patent 10,089,682 (Computer implemented system and method for a rent-to-own program); 10,282,778 (Computer implemented system and method for a rent-to-own program); 10,891,687 (Computer implemented system and method for a rent-to-own program); 11,966,969 (Computer implemented system and method for a rent-to-own program); 12,067,611 (Computer implemented system and method for a rent-to-own program)
Gravel Rating Systems LLC v. Dr. Martens AirWair USA, LLC (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).
Judge: District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III
Claims: Infringement
Defendants:
- Dr. Martens AirWair USA, LLC
- Pacific Sunwear of California LLC d/b/a PacSun
Plaintiff: Gravel Rating Systems LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Devlin Law Firm
Patent: 7,590,636 (Knowledge filter)
Happy Products, Inc. v. Ace Hardware Corp. et al (E.D. Tex.).
Claims: Infringement
Defendants:
- Ace Hardware Corporation
- Big Lots, Inc.
- CVS Health Corporation
- JOANN Inc.
- Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
- Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.
- Target Corporation
- Walgreen Co. d/b/a Walgreens
- Walmart, Inc.
Plaintiff: Happy Products, Inc.
Pls. Cnsl: Devlin Law Firm; Squire Patton Boggs
Patent: 9,642,454 (Multiple viewing angle media support); RE48,479 (Multiple viewing angle media support)
Linfo IP, LLC v. Charles Tyrwhitt, Inc. (S.D. Tex., W.D. Tex.).
Judge: District Judge David Counts
Claims: Infringement
Defendants:
- AEMBR Company
- Blenders Eyewear, LLC
- Boston Foundry, Inc. d/b/a Made In Cookware
- Charles Tyrwhitt, Inc.
- Legendairy Milk, LLC
- Rhone Apparel, Inc.
- Tommy John, Inc.
- Waimate B LLC d/b/a Soludos
Plaintiff: Linfo IP, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Ramey
Patent: 9,092,428 (System, methods and user interface for discovering and presenting information in text content)
Patent Armory Inc. v. American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. (D. Del., D.N.J.).
Claims: Infringement
Defendants:
- American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
- Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
- Canon Financial Services, Inc.
- Liberty Sport, Inc.
- Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.
- Purdue University Global, Inc.
- Wesco International, Inc.
Plaintiff: Patent Armory Inc.
Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law; Garibian Law Offices
Patent 10,237,420 (Method and system for matching entities in an auction); 10,491,748 (Intelligent communication routing system and method); 7,023,979 (Telephony control system with intelligent call routing); 7,269,253 (Telephony control system with intelligent call routing); 9,456,086 (Method and system for matching entities in an auction)
Pointwise Ventures LLC v. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).
Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap
Claims: Infringement
Defendants:
- ASOS.com Limited
- Hennes & Mauritz AB
- Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
- Macy’s, Inc.
- Penney OpCo LLC d/b/a JCPenney
- Urban Outfitters, Inc.
- Wayfair Inc.
- YOOX Net-a-Porter Group SpA
Plaintiff: Pointwise Ventures LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law
Patent: 8,471,812 (Pointing and identification device)
S3G Technology LLC v. Six Continents Hotels, Inc. (E.D. Tex.).
Judges: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne
Claims: Infringement
Defendant: Six Continents Hotels, Inc. d/b/a InterContinental Hotels Group
Plaintiff: S3G Technology LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Parker Bunt & Ainsworth
Patent: 10,387,140 (Modification of terminal and service provider machines using an update server machine); 11,662,995 (Network efficient location-based dialogue sequence using virtual processor); 9,304,758 (Modification of terminal and service provider machines using an update server machine); 9,940,124 (Modification of terminal and service provider machines using an update server machine)
Torus Ventures LLC v. Azuma Leasing, LLC (W.D. Tex., E.D. Tex.).
Judges: District Judge Xavier Rodriguez; District Judge David Counts; District Judge Rodney Gilstrap
Claims: Infringement
Defendant:
- Azuma Leasing, LLC
- First National Bank of Sonora
- First Texas National Bank
- First National Title Insurance Company
Plaintiff: Torus Ventures LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law
Patent: 7,203,844 (Method and system for a recursive security protocol for digital copyright control)