April saw a couple of large filings.  Princeton Digital Image asserted its JPEG rendering patent against more than 25 retailers.  Innovative Wireless Solutions sued a group of more than forty retailers and hospitality companies.  Eclipse IP, NeoMedia, c4cast, and Orientview also filed cases.

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 ways to improve the report for you.

Princeton Digital Image Corporation v. Abercrombie & Fitch Co., (D. Del.) (multiple cases). 

Claim:             Infringement

Defendants:

  • Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
  • American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
  • Alticor Global Holdings, Inc.
  • Alticor, Inc.
  • Amway Corp.
  • Quixtar.com, Inc.
  • Blue Nile, Inc.
  • Coldwater Creek Inc.
  • Disney Shopping, Inc
  • The Walt Disney Company
  • Euromarket Designs, Inc.
  • Euromarket Designs, Inc. of Delaware
  • FTD Group, Inc.
  • United Online, Inc.
  • J Crew Group, Inc.
  • Guitar Center, Inc.
  • Musician’s Friend, Inc.
  • Oriental Trading Company, Inc.
  • OTC Direct, Inc.
  • Recreational Equipment, Inc.
  • Saks Direct, LLC
  • Saks Incorporated
  • Spiegel, LLC
  • Systemax Inc.
  • Eastbay, Inc.
  • Footlocker.com, Inc.

Plaintiff:         Princeton Digital Image Corporation

Pls. Cnsl:        O’Kelly Ernst & Bielli

Patent:            4,813,056 (Modified statistical coding of digital signals).

NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. v. Taco Bell Corp., (D. Colo.) 

Judge:             District Judge R. Brooke Jackson

Claim:             Infringement

Defendant:     Taco Bell Corp.

Plaintiff:         NeoMedia Technologies, Inc.

Pls. Cnsl:        Global IP Law Group

Patents:          6,199,048 (System and method for automatic access of a remote computer over a network); and 8,131,597 (System and method for using an ordinary article of commerce to access a remote computer).

Wireless Media Innovations, LLC v. The Gap, Inc., (D. Del.) (multiple cases). 

Claim:             Infringement

Defendants:

  • The Gap, Inc.
  • Safeway, Inc.
  • Americold Logistics, LLC

Plaintiff:         Wireless Media Innovations, LLC

Pls. Cnsl:           Stamoulis & Weinblatt

Patents:          5,712,789 (Container monitoring system and method); and 6,148,291 (Container and inventory monitoring methods and systems).

Joao Control & Monitoring Systems, LLC v. Lowe’s Companies, Inc., (W.D.N.C.; D. Del.).  

Judges:           Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer, District Judge Richard Voorhees

Claim:             Infringement

Defendants:

  • Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
  • Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
  • Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

Plaintiff:         Joao Control & Monitoring Systems, LLC

Pls. Cnsl:        Crumley Roberts; Heninger Garrison Davis; Stamoulis & Weinblatt

Patents:          6,542,076 (Control, monitoring and/or security apparatus and method); 6,549,130 (Control apparatus and method for vehicles and/or for premises); 6,587,046 (Monitoring apparatus and method); 7,277,010 (Monitoring apparatus and method); 7,397,363 (Control and/or monitoring apparatus and method); and 5,917,405 (Control apparatus and methods for vehicles).

Eclipse IP LLC v Staples, Inc., (E.D. Tex.) (multiple cases). 

Judge:             District Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Claim:             Infringement

Defendants:

  • Staples, Inc.
  • Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
  • Overstock.com, Inc.
  • Ralph Lauren Corporation
  • Nordstrom, Inc.
  • eImprovements.com, LLC
  • Target Corporation

Plaintiff:         Eclipse IP LLC

Pls. Cnsl:        Gillam & Smith; Harman Law

Patents:          7,119,716 (Response systems and methods for notification systems for modifying future notifications); 7,479,899 (Notification systems and methods enabling a response to cause connection between a notified PCD and a delivery or pickup representative); 7,876,239 (Secure notification messaging systems and methods using authentication indicia); 7,319,414 (Secure notification messaging systems and methods using authentication indicia); and 7482952 (Response systems and methods for notification systems for modifying future notifications).

Orientview Technologies LLC, v. The Medical Supply Depot Inc. et al, (S.D.N.Y.). 

Claim:             Infringement

Defendants:

  • The Medical Supply Depot Inc.
  • ToolsToday.com LLC

Plaintiff:         Orientview Technologies LLC

Pls. Cnsl:        Aeton Law Partners

Patent:            7,000,183 (Method and apparatus for viewer-specific presentation of information).

c4cast.com, Inc. v. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., (E.D. Tex.) (multiple cases).

Claim:             Infringement

Defendants:

  • Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
  • Capital One Financial Corporation
  • Capital One Services, LLC
  • American Express Company

Plaintiff:         c4cast.com, Inc.

Pls. Cnsl:        Ni Wang & Associates

Patents:          6,658,467 (Provision of informational resources over an electronic network); 7,958,204 (Community-selected content).

Innovative Wireless Solutions, LLC v. Heritage Inn Number VII Limited Partnership et al, (E.D. Tex.) (multiple cases). 

Judge:             District Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Claim:             Infringement

Defendants:

  • Heritage Inn Number VIII Limited Partnership
  • Heritage Inn Number VII Limited Partnership
  • Heritage Inn Number XII Limited Partnership
  • Heritage Inn Number XIV Limited Partnership
  • Heritage Inn Number X Limited Partnership
  • Heritage Inn Number XV Limited Partnership
  • Boundless Enterprises LLC d/b/a Scooter’s Coffee and Yogurt
  • Tisha LLC
  • 281 Lodging Partnership, Ltd.
  • Grecian Hotels, LLC
  • Dijashvi, Ltd.
  • Maha Ganga, LLC
  • Grayson Hospitality, Inc.
  • Marriott International, Inc.
  • North 281 Management, LLC
  • Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
  • Vajia Investment Corporation, LLC
  • Wyndham Hotel Group, LLC
  • Starbucks Corporation
  • Carlex Hospitality, LLC
  • Sun Suites Interests LLLP
  • Choice Hotels International, Inc.
  • Sweet Faith, LLC
  • Tyler Lodging Host, LLC
  • Happy Hotel, Inc.
  • HVM, LLC
  • United Lodging, LLC
  • IMH, LLC
  • Inter-Continental Hotels Group, Inc.
  • Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, Inc.
  • Luxury Hospitality, Inc.
  • ALH Properties No. One, Inc.
  • Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.
  • Magnolia Lodging, LLC
  • CNL Hotel Investors, Inc.
  • Texarkana Hospitality, LLC
  • Magnolia Grapevine, LLC
  • Magnolia Hospitality Group, Ltd.
  • Titan Hospitality, Ltd.
  • TX Majestic, Ltd.
  • Triangle Hospitality, Inc.
  • The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, LLC
  • Panera Bread Company
  • Panera, LLC
  • Carlson Hotel Inc.
  • Carlson Hotel Limited Partnership
  • HAC Partners LP
  • HAC Plano Partners LP
  • Blackstone Group LP
  • La Quinta Inn Wordwide, LLC
  • LQ Management LLC

Plaintiff:         Innovative Wireless Solutions, LLC

Pls. Cnsl:        Gillam & Smith

Patents:          5,912,895 (Information network access apparatus and methods for communicating information packets via telephone lines); 6,327,264 (Information network access apparatus and methods for communicating information packets via telephone lines); 6,587,473 (Information network access apparatus and methods for communicating information packets via telephone lines).

Tejas Research, LLC v. Shutterfly, Inc., (E.D. Tex.). 

Claim:             Infringement

Defendant:     Shutterfly, Inc.

Plaintiff:         Tejas Research, LLC

Pls. Cnsl:        Austin Hansley Law Firm

Patent:            6,006,231 (File format for an image including multiple versions of an image, and related system and method).