NPEs and patent holders continued targeting major retailers in January. Frequent filers included Patent Armory, Wolverine Barcode IP, Content Aware, Intellectual Ventures, VDPP, and Cedar Lane Technologies. Retailers across the spectrum—from big-box to specialty—found themselves named as defendants in infringement actions.

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.

Content Aware, LLC v. EyeBuyDirect, Inc. et al (E.D. Tex.).

Judges: Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne; District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • EyeBuyDirect, Inc.
  • Meesho Technologies Private Limited
  • Reliance Retail Limited

Plaintiff: Content Aware, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patent: 11,107,098 (System and method for content recognition and data categorization)

Intellectual Ventures I LLC et al v. United Parcel Service, Inc. (W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: United Parcel Service, Inc.

Plaintiffs:

  • Intellectual Ventures I LLC
  • Intellectual Ventures II LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Prince Lobel Tye; Sorey & Hoover

Patents: 11,363,564 (Paging in a wireless network); 7,199,715 (System and method for tracking ID tags using a data structure of tag reads); 7,336,176 (Position indicating system); 7,623,439 (Cyclic diversity systems and methods); 8,594,122 (Transmit announcement indication)

Nearby Systems LLC v. Sephora USA, Inc. (E.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Sephora USA, Inc.

Plaintiff: Nearby Systems LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rozier Hardt McDonough

Patents: 10,469,980 (Mashing mapping content displayed on mobile devices); 11,937,145 (Mashing mapping content displayed on mobile devices); 12,185,177 (Mashing mapping content displayed on mobile devices); 9,532,164 (Mashing mapping content displayed on mobile devices)

Patent Armory Inc. v. Multiple Financial Institutions (D. Md., D. Del., E.D. Tex., E.D.N.Y., D. Colo., E.D. Va., W.D. Wis.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Automated Precision, Inc.
  • Turo Inc.
  • Wag Labs, Inc.
  • Capvis AG
  • FourLeaf Federal Credit Union
  • Suffolk Federal Credit Union
  • Broadview Federal Credit Union
  • Bellco Credit Union
  • Columbia Banking System, Inc.
  • Southern Bank
  • Capital Credit Union

Plaintiff: Patent Armory Inc.

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patents: 7,023,979 (Telephony control system with intelligent call routing); 9,456,086 (Method and system for matching entities in an auction); 7,256,899 (Wireless methods and systems for three-dimensional non-contact shape sensing)

Payvox LLC v. CardFree Inc. et al (D. Del.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • CardFree Inc.
  • Touchpoint Restaurant Innovations, Inc.

Plaintiff: Payvox LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law; Silverman McDonald & Friedman

Patent: 10,762,555 (Systems and methods for automated mass media commerce)

Stratacor LLC v. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (E.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Alibaba Group Holding Limited

Plaintiff: Stratacor LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rubino IP

Patent: 11,257,115 (Providing additional digital content or advertising based on analysis of specific interest in the digital content being viewed)

VDPP, LLC v. Home Depot USA, Inc. et al (E.D. Tex., S.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Home Depot USA, Inc.
  • Penney OpCo LLC d/b/a JCPenney
  • Frontier Airlines, Inc.
  • Jamba Juice, LLC

Plaintiff: VDPP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patents: 7,030,902 (Eternalism, a method for creating an appearance of sustained three-dimensional motion-direction of unlimited duration, using a finite number of pictures); 9,948,922 (Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3Deeps filter spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials)

Wolverine Barcode IP, LLC v. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.
  • Jamba Juice, LLC
  • Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc.
  • Sam’s West, Inc. d/b/a Sam’s Club

Plaintiff: Wolverine Barcode IP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patent: 9,280,689 (Method and apparatus for conducting offline commerce transactions)

The holiday season brought a flurry of patent litigation activity targeting retailers, with particular focus on e-commerce platforms, payment systems, and retail technology. Frequent filers included Alpha Modus, Near Field Electronics, VDPP LLC, and Cedar Lane Technologies, along with continued activity from various NPEs targeting retail operations and technology implementations.

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.

Alpha Modus, Corp. v. H&M Fashion USA, Inc. (E.D. Tex.).

Judges: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: H&M Fashion USA, Inc.

Plaintiff: Alpha Modus, Corp.

Pls. Cnsl: Prince Lobel Tye

Patents: 11,042,890 (Method and system for customer assistance in a retail store); 11,049,120 (Method and system for generating a layout for placement of products in a retail store); 11,301,880 (Method and system for inventory management in a retail store); 12,026,731 (Method for personalized marketing and advertising of retail products); 12,354,121 (Methods and systems for shopping in a retail store)

BelAir Electronics, Inc. v. Amazon.com Services LLC (multiple cases) (W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Amazon.com Services LLC
  • AT&T Inc.
  • AT&T Services, Inc.
  • Walmart Inc.

Plaintiff: BelAir Electronics, Inc.

Pls. Cnsl: Haller Law

Patents: 10,097,676 (Protective mask of mobile phone); 7,194,291 (Protective mask of mobile phone); 7,941,195 (Protective mask of mobile phone)

Cardtek International, Ltd. v. Target Corporation (E.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Target Corporation d/b/a Target

Plaintiff: Cardtek International, Ltd. a/k/a Cardtek International, Inc.

Pls. Cnsl: The Heartfield Law Firm; Cadwell Clonts Reeder & Thomas; Hicks Johnson

Patents: 10,628,818 (Payment convergence system and method); 7,039,593 (Payment convergence system and method); 8,600,770 (Payment convergence system and method)

Cedar Lane Technologies Inc. v. Prosperum Securities, LLC (N.D. Ill., E.D. Tex.).

Judges: District Judge Andrea R. Wood; District Judge Joan B. Gottschall; District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Prosperum Securities, LLC
  • Uhlmann Price Securities, LLC
  • Bank of America Corporation
  • HSBC Holdings plc

Plaintiff: Cedar Lane Technologies Inc.

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patent: 8,577,782 (Trading with conditional offers for semi-anonymous participants)

Kids2, LLC v. Carter’s Inc. et al (E.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Carter’s, Inc.
  • Carter’s Retail, Inc.
  • Skip Hop, Inc.
  • The William Carter Company

Plaintiff: Kids2, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Foley & Lardner; MT2 Law Group – Mann Tindel Thompson

Patent: 7,740,560 (Stationary child exercise apparatus with bouncing pad)

Near Field Electronics LLC v. Albertsons Companies, Inc. (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Albertsons Companies, Inc.
  • Aritzia Inc.
  • Aritzia LP
  • Catalyst Brands LLC d/b/a JCPenney
  • Genesco, Inc.
  • J. Crew Group, LLC
  • Leslies Poolmart, Inc. d/b/a Leslies Pro
  • Oxford Industries, Inc.

Plaintiff: Near Field Electronics LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Shea Beaty

Patents: 6,691,201 (Dual mode usb-ps/2 device); 6,742,071 (Real-time i/o processor used to implement bus interface protocols); 6,959,350 (Configurable USB interface with virtual register architecture); 6,996,727 (Power supply for universal serial bus interface with programmable bus pullup resistor); 7,373,531 (Signal detection method, frequency detection method, power consumption control method, signal detecting device, frequency detecting device, power consumption control device and electronic apparatus)

Secure Matrix LLC v. Dress Barn Omni, Inc. (D. Del.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Dress Barn Omni, Inc.

Plaintiff: Secure Matrix LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law; Silverman McDonald & Friedman

Patent: 8,677,116 (Systems and methods for authentication and verification)

The Only Card, LLC v. The Citizens Bank of Georgia (N.D. Ga.).

Judge: District Judge Richard W. Story

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: The Citizens Bank of Georgia

Plaintiff: The Only Card, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Law Offices of John W. Carpenter; Austin & Sparks

Patent: 8,152,059 (Secure commercial transactions system)

VDPP, LLC v. Burger King Company LLC (S.D. Tex., E.D. Tex., W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Burger King Company LLC
  • Inter IKEA Systems BV
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation
  • McDonald’s Corporation
  • Walgreen Co. d/b/a Walgreens
  • Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc.
  • Southwest Airlines Co.

Plaintiff: VDPP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Bill Ramey

Patents: 7,030,902 (Eternalism, a method for creating an appearance of sustained three-dimensional motion-direction of unlimited duration, using a finite number of pictures); 9,948,922 (Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3deeps filter spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials)

Retail patent litigation activity quieted a bit in November, although several frequent filers continued their campaigns against retailers and their supply chains. Notable activity included cases from Alpha Modus targeting major retail operations and VDPP’s continued assertion of 3D display technology patents.

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.

Alpha Modus, Corp. v. Adroit Worldwide Media, Inc. (C.D. Cal., E.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Adroit Worldwide Media, Inc.
  • Industria de Diseno Textil, S.A. a/k/a Inditex, S.A.
  • Zara USA, Inc.
  • Stratacache, Inc.
  • V-Count Global Holding, Ltd.

Plaintiff: Alpha Modus, Corp.

Pls. Cnsl: Prince Lobel Tye

Patents: 10,853,825 (Method for monitoring and analyzing behavior and uses thereof); 10,977,672 (Method and system for real-time inventory management, marketing, and advertising in a retail store); 11,042,890 (Method and system for customer assistance in a retail store); 11,049,120 (Method and system for generating a layout for placement of products in a retail store); 11,301,880 (Method and system for inventory management in a retail store); 12,026,731 (Method for personalized marketing and advertising of retail products); 12,039,550 (Method for enhancing customer shopping experience in a retail store); 12,354,121 (Methods and systems for shopping in a retail store); 12,423,718 (Methods and systems for providing customer assistance in a retail store)

Cart Source LLC v. The Home Depot, Inc. (M.D. Fla.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: The Home Depot, Inc.

Plaintiff: Cart Source LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Malloy & Malloy

Patent: 11,673,427 (Caster anti-tilt device)

Fasteners for Retail, Inc. d/b/a siffron v. Bruegmann USA, Inc. (S.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Bruegmann USA, Inc.

Plaintiff: Fasteners for Retail, Inc. d/b/a Siffron

Pls. Cnsl: Renner Otto; Heim Payne & Chorush; Honigman

Patents: 10,952,547 (Retail merchandise tray); 11,350,769 (Retail merchandise tray); 12,357,114 (Retail merchandise shelving system and deck panels for same); 12,369,730 (Retail shelving system); 12,390,024 (Retail shelving system); 12,396,575 (Retail shelving system); 8,152,006 (Merchandise security system)

VDPP, LLC v. Dukane Corporation (N.D. Ill., E.D. Tex., W.D. Tex., S.D.N.Y., N.D. Tex.).

Judges: District Judge Jeremy C. Daniel; District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; District Judge Reed O’Connor; District Judge Brantley Starr

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Dukane Corporation
  • FCA US LLC
  • JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA
  • Macy’s Corporation Services, LLC d/b/a Macy’s
  • Nordstrom, Inc.
  • Delta Air Lines, Inc.
  • Alaska Air Group, Inc
  • Olympus America Inc.
  • Speco Technologies
  • Victoria’s Secret & Co.
  • Starbucks Corporation
  • 7-Eleven, Inc.
  • Canon USA, Inc.

Plaintiff: VDPP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Choken Welling; Ramey; Carden & Tracy; Law Offices of David J. Hoffman

Patents: 10,951,881 (Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3DEEPS filer spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials); 9,716,874 (Continuous adjustable 3DEEPS filter spectacles for optimized 3DEEPS stereoscopic viewing, control method and means therefor, and system and method of generating and displaying a modified video); 9,426,452 (Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3DEEPS filter spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials); 7,030,902 (Eternalism, a method for creating an appearance of sustained three-dimensional motion-direction of unlimited duration, using a finite number of pictures); 9,948,922 (Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3DEEPS filter spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials); 10,021,380 (Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3DEEPS filter spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials)

NPE activity targeting retailers remained steady in October 2025, with several frequent filers continuing their campaigns. Notable plaintiffs included Alpha Modus, Nearby Systems, VDPP, Wolverine Barcode IP, and various entities represented by Rabicoff Law.

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.

Adaptive Avenue Assocs., Inc. v. Fabletics, Inc. (E.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge Sean D. Jordan

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Fabletics, Inc.

Plaintiff: Adaptive Avenue Associates, Inc.

Pls. Cnsl: Direction IP Law

Patents: 7,171,629 (Customizable web site access system and method therefore; 7,428,707 (Customizable web site access system and method therefore)

Alpha Modus, Corp. v. Lowe’s Companies, Inc. et al (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
  • Lowe’s Home Centers, LLC
  • 7-Eleven, Inc.

Plaintiff: Alpha Modus, Corp.

Pls. Cnsl: Prince Lobel Tye

Patents: 10,360,571 (Method for monitoring and analyzing behavior and uses thereof); 10,977,672 (Method and system for real-time inventory management, marketing, and advertising in a retail store); 11,042,890 (Method and system for customer assistance in a retail store); 11,049,120 (Method and system for generating a layout for placement of products in a retail store); 11,301,880 (Method and system for inventory management in a retail store); 12,026,731 (Method for personalized marketing and advertising of retail products); 12,039,550 (Method for enhancing customer shopping experience in a retail store); 12,354,121 (Methods and systems for shopping in a retail store); 12,423,718 (Methods and systems for providing customer assistance in a retail store)

Erlandsson v. Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc. (D. Or.).

Judge: Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc.

Plaintiff: Alexander Erlandsson

Pls. Cnsl: Kolitch Romano Dascenzo Gates

Patent: 8,981,887 (Magnetic tool and part holder and method of making the same)

Lowe’s Home Centers, LLC et al v. Adaptive Avenue Associates, Inc. (W.D.N.C.).

Claims: Declaratory Judgment

Defendant: Adaptive Avenue Associates, Inc.

Plaintiffs:

  • Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
  • Lowe’s Home Centers, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson; Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila

Patents: 7,171,629 (Customizable web site access system and method therefore);

7,428,707 (Customizable web site access system and method therefore)

Nearby Systems LLC v. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.
  • Nordstrom, Inc.
  • JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Plaintiff: Nearby Systems LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rozier Hardt McDonough

Patents: 10,469,980 (Mashing mapping content displayed on mobile devices); 11,937,145 (Mashing Mapping Content Displayed on Mobile Devices); 12,185,177 (Mashing Mapping Content Displayed on Mobile Devices); 9,532,164 (Mashing mapping content displayed on mobile devices)

Reframe Technologies LLC v. Lifetime Brands, Inc. (S.D.N.Y.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Lifetime Brands, Inc.

Plaintiff: Reframe Technologies LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patent: 7,552,870 (Trading network resources)

Secure Matrix LLC v. Star Furniture Company, LLC (S.D. Tex., W.D. Tex., N.D. Tex.).

Judges: District Judge A. Joe Fish; Judge: District Judge Sam A. Lindsay; Judge: District Judge Mark Pittman

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Star Furniture Company, LLC
  • Hanley-Wood Fine Living, Inc.
  • J Hilburn, Inc.
  • TForce Logistics Inc.
  • Mouser Electronics, Inc.
  • Petmate Holdings Co.

Plaintiff: Secure Matrix LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law; DNL Zito

Patent: 8,677,116 (Systems and methods for authentication and verification)

UpChat LLC v. Panera Bread Company (E.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Panera Bread Company

Plaintiff: UpChat LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patent: 10,182,157 (Systems and methods for communicating)

VDPP, LLC v. Marriott International, Inc. (E.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Marriott International, Inc. d/b/a Courtyard by Marriott Middleton

Plaintiff: VDPP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patents: 7,030,902 (Eternalism, a method for creating an appearance of sustained three-dimensional motion-direction of unlimited duration, using a finite number of pictures); 9,948,922 (Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3DEEPS filter spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials)

Wolverine Barcode IP, LLC v. Starbucks Company (E.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Starbucks Company

Plaintiff: Wolverine Barcode IP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patent: 9,280,689 (Method and apparatus for conducting offline commerce transactions)

NPEs were very active in September with numerous cases filed against retailers. Notable plaintiffs included Alpha Modus, Headwater Research, Cedar Lane Technologies, VDPP, and Random Chat.

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.

Alpha Modus, Corp. v. The Kroger Co. (E.D. Tex., W.D. Tex.).

Judge:  Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Claims:  Infringement

Defendants:

  • The Kroger Co.
  • Creative Realities, Inc.
  • Allerin Tech Pvt Ltd.
  • MNTN, Inc.
  • Mood Media LLC
  • RetailNext Inc.

Plaintiff:  Alpha Modus, Corp.

Pls. Cnsl:  Prince Lobel Tye

Patents:  10,360,571 (METHOD FOR MONITORING AND ANALYZING BEHAVIOR AND USES THEREOF); 10,853,825 (METHOD FOR MONITORING AND ANALYZING BEHAVIOR AND USES THEREOF); 10,977,672 (METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REAL-TIME INVENTORY MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND ADVERTISING IN A RETAIL STORE); 11,042,890 (METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE IN A RETAIL STORE); 11,049,120 (METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A LAYOUT FOR PLACEMENT OF PRODUCTS IN A RETAIL STORE); 11,301,880 (METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INVENTORY MANAGEMENT IN A RETAIL STORE); 12,026,731 (METHOD FOR PERSONALIZED MARKETING AND ADVERTISING OF RETAIL PRODUCTS); 12,039,550 (METHOD FOR ENHANCING CUSTOMER SHOPPING EXPERIENCE IN A RETAIL STORE); 12,354,121 (METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SHOPPING IN A RETAIL STORE)

Headwater Research LLC v. Walmart Inc. (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).

Judges:  District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne

Claims:  Infringement

Defendants:

  • Walmart Inc.
  • Target Corporation
  • Uber Technologies, Inc.

Plaintiff:  Headwater Research LLC

Pls. Cnsl:  Russ August & Kabat

Patents:  10,321,320 (Wireless Network Buffered Message System); 9,198,117 (Network System With Common Secure Wireless Message Service Serving Multiple Applications on Multiple Wireless Devices); 9,615,192 (MESSAGE LINK SERVER WITH PLURAL MESSAGE DELIVERY TRIGGERS)

Cedar Lane Technologies Inc. v. Beech Hill Securities, Inc. (S.D.N.Y., W.D.Tex.).

Claims:           Infringement

Defendants:

  • Beech Hill Securities, Inc. (SDNY)
  • Cantor Fitzgerald, LP (SDNY)
  • City National Rochdale, LLC (SDNY)
  • Clear Street, LLC (SDNY)
  • Corinthian Partners, LLC (SDNY)
  • Citibank NA (WDTX)

Plaintiff:  Cedar Lane Technologies Inc.

Pls. Cnsl:  Rabicoff Law

Patent:  8,577,782 (TRADING WITH CONDITIONAL OFFERS FOR SEMI-ANONYMOUS PARTICIPANTS)

VDPP, LLC v. The TJX Companies, Inc. (S.D.Fla., W.D.Tex., E.D.N.Y., W.D.Wis.).

Claims:  Infringement

Defendants:

  • The TJX Companies, Inc.
  • Subway IP LLC
  • Janam Technologies LLC
  • Innovative Video Technology, Inc.
  • Dynamic Displays, Inc.

Plaintiff:  VDPP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl:  Ramey; Law Office of Victoria E. Brieant; Law Offices of David J. Hoffman

Patents:   7,030,902 (ETERNALISM, A METHOD FOR CREATING AN APPEARANCE OF SUSTAINED THREE-DIMENSIONAL MOTION-DIRECTION OF UNLIMITED DURATION, USING A FINITE NUMBER OF PICTURES); 9,426,452 (FASTER STATE TRANSITIONING FOR CONTINUOUS ADJUSTABLE 3DEEPS FILTER SPECTACLES USING MULTI-LAYERED VARIABLE TINT MATERIALS); 9,699,444 (FASTER STATE TRANSITIONING FOR CONTINUOUS ADJUSTABLE 3DEEPS FILTER SPECTACLES USING MULTI-LAYERED VARIABLE TINT MATERIALS); 9,716,874 (CONTINUOUS ADJUSTABLE 3DEEPS FILTER SPECTACLES FOR OPTIMIZED 3DEEPS STEREOSCOPIC VIEWING, CONTROL METHOD AND MEANS THEREFOR, AND SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GENERATING AND DISPLAYING A MODIFIED VIDEO); 9,948,922 (FASTER STATE TRANSITIONING FOR CONTINUOUS ADJUSTABLE 3DEEPS FILTER SPECTACLES USING MULTI-LAYERED VARIABLE TINT MATERIALS)

Random Chat, LLC v. Lumen Technologies, Inc. (W.D.Tex., D.Utah).

Judge:  District Judge David Counts

Claims:  Infringement

Defendants:

  • Lumen Technologies, Inc.
  • KURU Footwear, Inc.

Plaintiff:  Random Chat LLC

Pls. Cnsl:  Ramey

Patent:  8,402,099 (METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT A MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATION BASED ON A NETWORK PROTOCOL, PARTICULARLY TCP/IP AND/OR UDP)

Yopima, LLC v. DoorDash, Inc. (W.D.Tex., E.D.N.Y.).

Claims:  Infringement

Defendants:

  • DoorDash, Inc.
  • Grubhub Holdings, Inc.
  • Neutron Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Lime
  • NeighborFavor, Inc. d/b/a Favor
  • Curb Mobility, LLC

Plaintiff: Yopima, LLC

Pls. Cnsl:  Ramey; Law Offices of David J. Hoffman

Patent:  9,119,038 (SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPARATIVE GEOFENCING)

Wolverine Barcode IP, LLC v. The Kroger Co. (multiple cases) (W.D.Tex.).

Claims:           Infringement

Defendants:

  • The Kroger Co.
  • Macy’s, Inc.
  • Paysafecard.com USA Inc.

Plaintiff:  Wolverine Barcode IP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl:  Ramey

Patent:  9,280,689 (METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTING OFFLINE COMMERCE TRANSACTIONS)

Context Directions LLC v. Ewing Buick-Plano, L.P. (multiple cases) (E.D.Tex.).

Judge:  District Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Claims:  Infringement

Defendants:

  • Ewing Buick-Plano, L.P.
  • Tyler Motor Company, Inc.

Plaintiff:  Context Directions LLC

Pls. Cnsl:  Direction IP Law

Patents:  10,142,791 (METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTEXT AWARENESS OF A MOBILE DEVICE); 9,807,564 (Method for Detecting Context of a Mobile Device and a Mobile Device with a Context Detection Module)

NPEs had a busy August, targeting numerous retailers across multiple jurisdictions. Key plaintiffs included Near Field Electronics, Induction Devices, and Patent Armory.

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.

Alpha Modus, Corp. v. Cooler Screens, Inc. (N.D. Ill., E.D. Tex.).

Judges: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne

Claims: Infringement

Defendants: 

  • Cooler Screens, Inc.
  • A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp.

Plaintiff: Alpha Modus, Corp.

Pls. Cnsl: Prince Lobel Tye

Patents: 10,360,571 (Method for monitoring and analyzing behavior and uses thereof); 10,977,672 (Method and system for real-time inventory management, marketing, and advertising in a retail store); 11,042,890 (Method and system for customer assistance in a retail store); 11,049,120 (Method and system for generating a layout for placement of products in a retail store); 11,301,880 (Method and system for inventory management in a retail store); 12,354,121 (Methods and systems for shopping in a retail store)

AML IP, LLC v. United Supermarkets, LLC (multiple cases) (W.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge David Counts

Claims: Infringement

Defendants: 

  • United Supermarkets, LLC
  • Schlotzsky’s Franchisor SPV, LLC

Plaintiff: AML IP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patent: 7,177,838 (Method and apparatus for conducting electronic commerce transactions using electronic tokens)

CheckWizard LLC v. The American National Bank of Texas (multiple cases) (E.D.Tex.).

Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • The American National Bank of Texas
  • Banc of California
  • BOKF, NA d/b/a Bank of Texas
  • JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

Plaintiff: CheckWizard LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patent: 10,140,514 (Capturing and sharing images with mobile device users including for a limited duration of time)

EdisonLED, LLC v. The Home Depot, Inc. (W.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge David Counts

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: The Home Depot, Inc.

Plaintiff: EdisonLED LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Steckler Wayne Love; Lee Sullivan Shea & Smith

Patents: 10,224,455 (Light emitting device and method of forming the same); 10,281,123 (Illumination device); 10,319,703 (Light bulb); 10,989,396 (Illumination device); 11,519,564 (Light emitting bulb); 11,808,436 (Light emitting apparatus); 7,489,068 (Light emitting device); 7,560,738 (Light-emitting diode array having an adhesive layer); 8,240,881 (Light-emiting device package); 9,065,022 (Light emitting apparatus); 9,166,116 (Light emitting device); 9,368,483 (Illumination device capable of decreasing shadow of lighting effect); 9,664,340 (Light emitting device); 9,741,699 (Light emitting device); 9,793,451 (Light-emitting diode device)

Induction Devices LLC v. Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.
  • Athleta LLC
  • Banana Republic, LLC
  • Old Navy, LLC
  • The Gap, Inc.
  • Penney OpCo LLC d/b/a JCPenney
  • Ross Stores, Inc.
  • Ulta Beauty, Inc.
  • BPS Direct, LLC d/b/a Bass Pro Shops
  • Cabela’s LLC
  • Dillard’s, Inc.
  • IKEA US Retail LLC
  • Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
  • The Brand House Collective, Inc. f/k/a Kirkland’s, Inc.
  • Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
  • Recreational Equipment, Inc. a/k/a REI
  • Somnigroup International Inc. d/b/a Tempur-Pedic

Plaintiff: Induction Devices LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Shea Beaty

Patents: 7,449,926 (Circuit for asynchronously resetting synchronous circuit); 7,899,145 (Circuit, system, and method for multiplexing signals with reduced jitter); 8,190,885 (Non-volatile memory sub-system integrated with security for storing near field transactions); 8,370,543 (Busy detection logic for asynchronous communication port); 8,543,628 (Method and system of digital signal processing)

Linfo IP, LLC v. Chewy, Inc. (S.D. Tex., D. Utah.).

Claims: Infringement

Judges: District Judge Ted Stewart; District Judge David Barlow; Magistrate Judge Daphne A. Oberg

Defendants: 

  • Chewy, Inc.
  • Luxy Hair, Inc.

Plaintiff: Linfo IP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patent: 9,430,131 (System, methods, and user interface for organizing unstructured data objects)

Near Field Electronics LLC v. AutoZone, Inc. et al (E.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • AutoZone, Inc.
  • The Pep Boys–Manny, Moe & Jack LLC
  • Spencer Gifts, LLC a/k/a Spencer Gifts Online, LLC
  • Trader Joe’s Company
  • Trader Joe’s East Inc.
  • Vans, Inc.

Plaintiff: Near Field Electronics LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Shea Beaty

Patents: 6,691,201 (Dual mode usb-ps/2 device); 6,742,071 (Real-time i/o processor used to implement bus interface protocols); 6,959,350 (Configurable USB interface with virtual register architecture); 6,996,727 (Power supply for universal serial bus interface with programmable bus pullup resistor); 7,373,531 (Signal detection method, frequency detection method, power consumption control method, signal detecting device, frequency detecting device, power consumption control device and electronic apparatus)

Patent Armory Inc. v. MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (E.D.N.Y.).

Judge: District Judge Hector Gonzalez

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.

Plaintiff: Patent Armory Inc.

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patents: 7,023,979 (Telephony control system with intelligent call routing); 9,456,086 (Method and system for matching entities in an auction)

Secure Matrix LLC v. Cavender Stores, Ltd. d/b/a Cavender’s (E.D. Tex.).

Judges: Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne; District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Cavender Stores, Ltd. d/b/a Cavender’s

Plaintiff: Secure Matrix LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patent: 8,677,116 (Systems and methods for authentication and verification)

SmartOrder LLC v. BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).

Judges: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.
  • Burger King Corporation
  • Five Guys Enterprises LLC
  • Hooters of America, LLC
  • McAlister’s Franchisor SPV LLC

Plaintiff: SmartOrder LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patent: 9,390,424 (System and method for improving customer wait time, customer service, and marketing efficiency in the restaurant, retail, hospitality, travel, and entertainment industries)

Random Chat, LLC v. LG Electronics, Inc. et al (E.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • LG Electronics, Inc.
  • LG Electronics USA, Inc.

Plaintiff: Random Chat, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patent: 8,402,099 (Method for carrying out a multimedia communication based on a network protocol, particularly TCP/IP and/or UDP)

Wolverine Barcode IP, LLC v. Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. (W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. d/b/a Dunkin’ Donuts d/b/a Baskin Robbins

Plaintiff: Wolverine Barcode IP LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patent: 9,280,689 (Method and apparatus for conducting offline commerce transactions)

The summer heat brought a surge in patent litigation against retailers, with NPEs targeting everything from e-commerce platforms to specialty retailers. Notable filers included Headwater Research, Near Field Electronics, Intellectual Ventures, Velocity Communication Technologies, and S3G Technology.

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.

Arbor Systems LLC v. Ethan Allen Retail, Inc. (multiple cases)(E.D. Tex.).

Judges: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Ethan Allen Retail, Inc.
  • Ashley Global Retail, LLC

Plaintiff: Arbor Systems LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patents: 10,891,785; 9,836,883 (Systems and Methods for Fitting Product)

Intellectual Ventures I LLC et al v. The Home Depot, Inc. et al (W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Home Depot Product Authority, LLC
  • Home Depot USA, Inc.
  • The Home Depot, Inc.

Plaintiffs: Intellectual Ventures I LLC; Intellectual Ventures II LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Steckler Wayne Love; Kasowitz

Patents: Multiple patents related to load balancing, secure identification, and computing systems

Market America, Inc. v. Mercato, Inc. (D. Del.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Mercato, Inc.

Plaintiff: Market America, Inc.

Pls. Cnsl: Vedder Price; Richards Layton & Finger

Patent: 7,197,475 (Multi-vendor internet commerce system for e-commerce applications and methods therefor)

Near Field Electronics LLC v. Foot Locker, Inc. (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Foot Locker, Inc.
  • Levi Strauss & Co.
  • New Balance Athletics, Inc.
  • Panda Express, Inc.
  • Urban Outfitters, Inc.

Plaintiff: Near Field Electronics LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Shea Beaty

Patents: 6,691,201; 6,742,071; 6,959,350; 6,996,727; 7,373,531 (Various USB and signal detection technologies)

S3G Technology LLC v. Retail Services & Systems, Inc., d/b/a Total Wine & More (E.D. Tex.).

Judges: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Retail Services & Systems, Inc. d/b/a Total Wine & More

Plaintiff: S3G Technology LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Parker Bunt & Ainsworth

Patents: 9,081,897; 9,304,758; 9,940,124 (Modification of Terminal and Service Provider Machines Using an Update Server Machine)

Virtual Creative Artists, LLC v. Hyatt Corporation (N.D. Ill., E.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Hyatt Corporation (N.D. Ill.)
  • Lumber Liquidators, Inc. (E.D. Tex.)

Plaintiff: Virtual Creative Artists, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Direction IP Law

Patents: 9,477,665; 9,501,480 (Revenue-generating electronic multi-media exchange and process of operating same)

Wolverine Barcode IP LLC v. McDonald’s Corporation (W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: McDonald’s Corporation

Plaintiff: Wolverine Barcode IP LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patent: 9,280,689 (Method and apparatus for conducting offline commerce transactions)

Zugara, Inc. v. Chanel, Inc. (W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Chanel, Inc.

Plaintiff: Zugara, Inc.

Pls. Cnsl: Rozier Hardt McDonough

Patent: 10,482,517 (Providing a simulation of wearing items such as garments and/or accessories)

June continued a busy early summer for NPEs. Notable filers included Adaptive Avenue Associates, Authentixx, Big Will Enterprises, Cedar Lane Technologies, Context Directions, Happy Products, Local Interest, Linfo IP, Near Field Electronics, Nostromo, Patent Armory, Random Chat, S3G Technology, and Wolverine Barcode IP.

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.

Adaptive Avenue Associates, Inc. v. Northern Tool & Equipment Company, Inc. (E.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Northern Tool & Equipment Company, Inc.

Plaintiff: Adaptive Avenue Associates, Inc.

Pls. Cnsl: Direction IP Law

Patents: 7,171,629 (Customizable web site access system and method therefore); 7,428,707 (CUSTOMIZABLE WEB SITE ACCESS SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFORE)

Authentixx LLC v. 121 Media, LLC (E.D. Tex., S.D. Tex., N.D. Tex., W.D. Tex.).      

Claims: Infringement

Judge: District Judge Jane J. Boyle

Defendants:

  • 121 Media, LLC 
  • BeatStars, Inc. 
  • Data World, Inc. 
  • Graham Media Group, Inc. 
  • Hart Energy Publishing LLP 
  • Hartman Newspapers, L.P. 
  • Houston Association of Realtors, Inc. 
  • iTexasPolitics, LLC 
  • Kirkus Media LLC 
  • Lee Enterprises, Inc. 
  • Maven Learning, Inc. 
  • Medianova, LLC 
  • Pickleball OpCo LLC
  • ProjectManager.com, Inc. 
  • Sage Capital Bank Account 
  • Southern Newspapers Inc.
  • Territorium, Inc. 
  • TexAgs
  • Uvation, LLC 

Plaintiff: Authentixx LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law; DNL Zito

Patent: 10,355,863 (SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTHENTICATING ELECTRONIC CONTENT)

Big Will Enterprises Inc. v. Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc. (W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.

Plaintiff: Big Will Enterprises Inc.

Pls. Cnsl: Eureka Intellectual Property Law

Patents: 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)

Cedar Lane Technologies Inc. v. Canva US, Inc. (W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Canva US, Inc.

Plaintiff: Cedar Lane Technologies Inc.

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patent: 8,438,485 (SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING, CUSTOMIZING, DISTRIBUTING, AND PRESENTING AN INTERACTIVE AUDIO PUBLICATION)

Context Directions LLC v. Patterson Motors of Kilgore, Inc. (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).            

Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Patterson Motors of Kilgore, Inc. 
  • Patterson Motors of Longview, Inc. 
  • Patterson Motors of Marshall, Inc. 
  • Patterson Motors of Marshall Two, Inc. 
  • Peters Chevrolet, Inc. 
  • Wagner Cadillac Company, Ltd. 

Plaintiff: Context Directions LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Direction IP Law

Patents: 10,142,791 (METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTEXT AWARENESS OF A MOBILE DEVICE); 9,807,564 (Method for Detecting Context of a Mobile Device and a Mobile Device with a Context Detection Module)

Happy Products, Inc. v. Boscov’s Department Store, LLC et al (D.N.J.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc.
  • Boscov’s Department Store, LLC d/b/a Boscov’s
  • Unbeatable Sale.com, Inc.

Plaintiff: Happy Products, Inc.

Pls. Cnsl: Fox Rothschild; Devlin Law Firm; Squire Patton Boggs

Patent: RE48,479 (MULTIPLE VIEWING ANGLE MEDIA SUPPORT)

Local Interest, LLC v. Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. (E.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.

Plaintiff: Local Interest, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rozier Hardt McDonough

Patents: 7,532,899 (SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING LOCATION-BASED SERVICES IN A WIRELESS NETWORK, SUCH AS LOCATING SETS OF DESIRED LOCATIONS); 8,774,834 (SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING LOCATION-BASED SERVICES IN A WIRELESS NETWORK, SUCH AS LOCATING SETS OF DESIRED LOCATIONS)

Linfo IP, LLC v. Mariner Finance, LLC (W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Mariner Finance, LLC

Plaintiff: Linfo IP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patent: 9,430,131 (System, Methods, and User Interface for Organizing Unstructured Data Objects)

Near Field Electronics LLC v. CVS Pharmacy, Inc. (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).

Judges: District Judge Michael J. Truncale; District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:   

  • CVS Pharmacy, Inc.
  • EAN Holdings, LLC d/b/a Enterprise Rent A Car
  • Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
  • PPG Industries, Inc.
  • Visionworks, Inc.
  • Visionworks Of America, Inc

Plaintiff: Near Field Electronics LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Devlin Law Firm; Shea Beaty

Patents: 6,691,201 (Dual mode usb-ps/2 device); 6,742,071 (Real-time i/o processor used to implement bus interface protocols); 6,959,350 (CONFIGURABLE USB INTERFACE WITH VIRTUAL REGISTER ARCHITECTURE); 6,996,727 (Power supply for universal serial bus interface with programmable bus pullup resistor); 7,373,531 (SIGNAL DETECTION METHOD, FREQUENCY DETECTION METHOD, POWER CONSUMPTION CONTROL METHOD, SIGNAL DETECTING DEVICE, FREQUENCY DETECTING DEVICE, POWER CONSUMPTION CONTROL DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS)

Nostromo LLC v. Walgreen Co. d/b/a Walgreens (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).   

Judges: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Fibar Group SA
  • Macy’s, Inc. d/b/a Macy’s 
  • Nice SpA
  • Sephora USA, Inc. 
  • Starbucks Corporation 
  • Walgreen Co. d/b/a Walgreens 

Plaintiff: Nostromo LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Fabricant

Patent: 8,559,970 (Method for Providing Location-Based Information Services, Location-Based Information Services System, and Portable Electronic Device)

Patent Armory Inc. v. BHI Residential Long Term Corporation (D. Colo.).

Judge: Magistrate Judge Susan Prose

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: BHI Residential Long Term Corporation

Plaintiff: Patent Armory Inc.

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patents: 7,023,979 (TELEPHONY CONTROL SYSTEM WITH INTELLIGENT CALL ROUTING); 9,456,086 (METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MATCHING ENTITIES IN AN AUCTION)

Querytron LLC v. Etsy, Inc. (multiple cases)(S.D.N.Y.).   

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:   

  • Etsy, Inc.
  • Shutterstock, Inc. 

Plaintiff: Querytron LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patent: 10,534,820 (ENHANCED BUYER-ORIENTED SEARCH RESULTS)

Random Chat LLC v. Bath & Body Works Direct, Inc. (W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Bath & Body Works Direct, Inc.

Plaintiff: Random Chat LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patent: 8,402,099 (METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT A MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATION BASED ON A NETWORK PROTOCOL, PARTICULARLY TCP/IP AND/OR UDP)

Reframe Technologies LLC, v. Radisson Hospitality, Inc. (multiple cases) (W.D. Tex.).   

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Radisson Hospitality, Inc.
  • Tesla, Inc.

Plaintiff: Reframe Technologies LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patent: 7,552,870 (TRADING NETWORK RESOURCES)

S3G Technology LLC v. Pacific Sunwear of California, LLC (E.D. Tex.).

Judges: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Pacific Sunwear of California LLC d/b/a PacSun

Plaintiff: S3G Technology LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Parker Bunt & Ainsworth 

Patents: 11,662,995 (Network efficient location-based dialogue sequence using virtual processor); 8,572,571 (MODIFICATION OF TERMINAL AND SERVICE PROVIDER MACHINES USING AN UPDATE SERVER MACHINE); 9,081,897 (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)

Wolverine Barcode IP, LLC v. Albertsons Companies, Inc. (N.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge A. Joe Fish

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Albertsons Companies, Inc.

Plaintiff: Wolverine Barcode IP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patent: 9,280,689 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTING OFFLINE COMMERCE TRANSACTIONS)

April showers bring May flowers and, at least this year, patent litigation against retailers, with NPEs targeting everything from e-commerce platforms to specialty retailers. Notable filers included AML IP, BrowserKey, Cedar Lane Technologies, DataCloud Technologies, Dynamic Data Innovations, Linfo IP, Malikie Innovations, Mearby Systems, Random Chat, S3G Technology, Torus Ventures, Virtual Creative Artists, WebSock Global Strategies, and Wolverine Barcode IP.

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.

AML IP, LLC v. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc. (multiple cases) (W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc. 
  • Texas Born, LLC
  • Regal Cinemas, Inc.

Plaintiff: AML IP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patents: 7,328,189 (Method and apparatus for conducting electronic commerce transactions using electronic tokens); 7,177,838 (Method and apparatus for conducting electronic commerce transactions using electronic tokens)

BrowserKey, LLC v. Regions Bank (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).

Judges: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Regions Bank 
  • First Citizens Bank & Trust Company 
  • UBS AG
  • UBS Financial Services, Inc. 
  • Raymond James Financial, Inc.

Plaintiff: BrowserKey, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Fabricant

Patent: 7,249,262 (Method for restricting access to a web site by remote users)

Cedar Lane Technologies Inc. v. Global Financial Services, L.L.C. (S.D. Tex., W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Global Financial Services, L.L.C.
  • Lion Street Financial LLC 
  • NatAlliance Securities, LLC 

Plaintiff: Cedar Lane Technologies Inc.

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patent: 8,577,782 (TRADING WITH CONDITIONAL OFFERS FOR SEMI-ANONYMOUS PARTICIPANTS)

DataCloud Technologies, LLC v. 1-800-Flowers, Inc. (multiple cases) (D. Del.).         

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • 1-800-Flowers, Inc. 
  • Teradata Corporation 

Plaintiff: DataCloud Technologies, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Stamoulis & Weinblatt; Rozier Hardt McDonough

Patents: 6,560,613 (Disambiguating file descriptors); 6,651,063 (Data organization and management system and method); 7,209,959 (Apparatus, system, and method for communicating to a network through a virtual domain providing anonymity to a client communicating on the network); 7,398,298 (Remote access and retrieval of electronic files)

Dynamic Data Innovations LLC v. H-E-B, LP (E.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: H-E-B, LP f/k/a H-E-B Grocery Company, LP

Plaintiff: Dynamic Data Innovations LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rozier Hardt McDonough

Patent: 9,632,676 (Systems and methods for navigating a set of data objects)

Linfo IP, LLC v. Beard Brand LLC (W.D. Tex., S.D. Tex.).         

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Beard Brand LLC 
  • BK Beauty, Inc.
  • Gossamer Gear Inc.
  • Interactive Life Forms, LLC 
  • MariGold Foods, LLC
  • Summer Moon Franchising LLC 
  • Tecovas, Inc. d/b/a Tecovas Boots, Inc.

Plaintiff: Linfo IP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patent: 9,430,131 (System, methods, and user interface for organizing unstructured data objects)

Malikie Innovations Ltd. et al v. Toast, Inc. (W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Toast, Inc.

Plaintiffs:

  • Key Patent Innovations Ltd.
  • Malikie Innovations Ltd.

Pls. Cnsl: Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg; Cherry Johnson Siegmund James

Patents: 8,334,847 (SYSTEM HAVING USER INTERFACE USING OBJECT SELECTION AND GESTURES); 8,392,259 (METHODS AND APPARATUS TO OBTAIN TRANSACTION CONFIRMATION); 8,583,980 (LOW DENSITY PARITY CHECK (LDPC) CODE); 8,615,195 (MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE HAVING TOUCH ACTIVATED NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATIONS (NFC) CIRCUIT); 8,676,116 (ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH NFC ANTENNA ADJACENT DISPLAY AND RELATED METHODS); RE48,212 (STRUCTURED LOW-DENSITY PARITY-CHECK (LDPC) CODE)

Nearby Systems LLC v. Panera Bread Company et al (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Panera Bread Company
  • Panera, LLC
  • Panda Express, Inc.
  • Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.

Plaintiff: Nearby Systems LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rozier Hardt McDonough

Patents: 10,469,980 (Mashing mapping content displayed on mobile devices); 11,937,145 (Mashing mapping content displayed on mobile devices); 12,185,177 (Mashing Mapping Content Displayed on Mobile Devices); 9,532,164 (Mashing mapping content displayed on mobile devices)

Ortiz & Associates Consulting, LLC v. McDonald’s USA, LLC (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).

Judges: Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne; District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • McDonald’s USA, LLC
  • IKEA US Retail LLC

Plaintiff: Ortiz & Associates Consulting, LLC 

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patent: 9,549,285 (Systems, methods and apparatuses for brokering data between wireless devices, servers and data rendering devices)

Random Chat LLC v. CarParts.com, Inc. (N.D. Tex.).

Judge: District Judge Jane J. Boyle

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: CarParts.com, Inc.

Plaintiff: Random Chat LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patent: 8,402,099 (METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT A MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATION BASED ON A NETWORK PROTOCOL, PARTICULARLY TCP/IP AND/OR UDP)

S3G Technology LLC v. Smoothie King Franchises, Inc. (E.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Smoothie King Franchises, Inc.

Plaintiff: S3G Technology LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Parker Bunt & Ainsworth

Patents: 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. Aimbridge Hospitality, LLC (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).   

Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Aimbridge Hospitality, LLC
  • Alabama-Coushatta Tribal Economic Development Authority 
  • Alixa Rx LLC 
  • All American Flooring, Inc.
  • Altair Global Services, LLC 
  • Ameriplan Corporation 
  • Boardwalk Automobiles, Inc. 
  • Capital Title of Texas, LLC 
  • Cavender Stores, Ltd. d/b/a Cavender’s 
  • CH Direct LLC 
  • Ciraconnect, LLC 
  • Coburn Supply Company, Inc. 
  • East Texas Warehouse and Storage, LLC 
  • Estis Compression, LLC 
  • Fisher59, LLC 
  • Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Company & Associated Com
  • Granite Properties, Inc. 
  • GSC Enterprises Incorporated 
  • Innovative IDM, LLC 
  • Institution Solutions I LLC 
  • J. Hillburn, Inc. 
  • Jasper Tire and Distributing Company, Inc. 
  • JB Warranties Corp.
  • Kosse Partners I, LLC
  • Lewis and Ellis, LLC 
  • Lodging Host Hotel Corp.
  • Lori’s Gifts, Inc. 

Plaintiff: Torus Ventures LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patent: 7,203,844 (Method and system for a recursive security protocol for digital copyright control)

Virtual Creative Artists, LLC v. Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc. (W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc.

Plaintiff: Virtual Creative Artists, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Direction IP Law

Patents: 9,477,665 (Revenue-generating electronic multi-media exchange and process of operating same); 9,501,480 (Revenue-generating electronic multi-media exchange and process of operating same)

WebSock Global Strategies LLC v. Coburn Supply Company, Inc. (E.D. Tex., W.D. Tex.).        

Claims: Infringement

Defendants:

  • Coburn Supply Company, Inc. 
  • Digital Tonic, LLC 
  • Fleetpride, Inc. 
  • GameStop, Inc.
  • Michaels Stores, Inc. 
  • Securus Technologies, LLC
  • Stirista, LLC 
  • Sysco Corporation 
  • TaskUs 
  • Xome, Inc.

Plaintiff: WebSock Global Strategies LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Rabicoff Law

Patent: 7,756,983 (Symmetrical bi-directional communication)

Wolverine Barcode IP, LLC v. 7-Eleven, Inc. (W.D. Tex.).

Claims: Infringement

Defendant: 7-Eleven, Inc.

Plaintiff: Wolverine Barcode IP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl: Ramey

Patent: 9,280,689 (Method and apparatus for conducting offline commerce transactions)

After a busy Q1, NPEs slowed considerably in April. Frequent filers included Adaptive Avenue Associates, Aloft Media, AML IP, Cedar Lane Technologies, OrderMagic, Patent Armory, S3G Technology, and VDPP.

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.

Adaptive Avenue Associates, Inc. v. Petco Animal Supplies Stores, Inc. (E.D. Tex., W.D. Tex.).

Judges:      District Judge Sean D. Jordan; District Judge David Counts

Claims:     Infringement

Defendants:

  • Petco Animal Supplies Stores, Inc.
  • Amazon.com, Inc.
  • Amazon.com Services LLC 
  • Amazon Web Services, Inc. 
  • Best Buy Co., Inc. 
  • BestBuy.com, LLC
  • Best Buy Stores, LP
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation 
  • Home Depot USA, Inc.
  • Walmart Inc.

Plaintiff:   Adaptive Avenue Associates, Inc.

Pls. Cnsl:  Direction IP Law; Padmanabhan & Dawson

Patents:    7,171,629 (Customizable web site access system and method therefore); 7,428,707 (Customizable web site access system and method therefore)

AML IP, LLC v. AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (multiple cases) (W.D. Tex.).

Claims:        Infringement

Defendants:

  • AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.
  • Wyndham Rewards, Inc.

Plaintiff:        AML IP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl:       Ramey

Patent:          7,177,838 (Method and apparatus for conducting electronic commerce transactions using electronic tokens)

Calibrate Networks LLC v. Shopify, Inc. (multiple cases) (W.D. Tex.).   

Claims:          Infringement

Defendants:

  • Shopify, Inc.
  • Box, Inc. 
  • Airbnb, Inc.

Plaintiff:        Calibrate Networks LLC

Pls. Cnsl:        Rabicoff Law

Patent:           9,584,633 (Method and system for managing network communications)

DigiMedia Tech, LLC v. Pinterest, Inc. (D. Del.).

Claims:          Infringement

Defendant:    Pinterest, Inc.

Plaintiff:        DigiMedia Tech, LLC

Pls. Cnsl:       Kent & Risley; Stamoulis & Weinblatt

Patent:           6,684,220 (Method and system for automatic information exchange); 7,287,088 (Transmission bandwidth and memory requirements reduction in a portable image capture device by eliminating duplicate image transmissions); 7,587,514 (Transmission bandwidth and memory requirements reduction in a portable image capture device); 8,073,965 (TRANSMISSION BANDWIDTH AND MEMORY REQUIREMENTS REDUCTION IN A PORTABLE IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE); 8,868,778 (Transmission bandwidth and memory requirements reduction in a portable image capture device)

Helical LLC v. Little Bird ApS (multiple cases) (E.D. Tex.).        

Judges:         District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne;

Claims:          Infringement

Defendants:

  • Little Bird ApS
  • Marshall Group AB 
  • Meizhou Guo Wei Electronics Co., Ltd. 

Plaintiff:        Helical LLC

Pls. Cnsl:       Rabicoff Law

Patent:          9,445,183 (Sound System with Ear Device with Improved Fit and Sound)

The Morse Group, Inc. v. Aloft Media, LLC (N.D. Ill.).

Judge:           District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer

Claims:          Declaratory Judgment

Defendant:    Aloft Media, LLC

Plaintiff:        The Morse Group, Inc.

Pls. Cnsl:       HolmstromKennedy

Patent:          10,372,793 (Hyperlink with graphical cue)

OrderMagic LLC v. Cafe and Bakery Group, LLC (E.D. Tex., W.D. Tex.).        

Claims:          Infringement

Defendants:

  • Cafe and Bakery Group, LLC 
  • California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. 
  • Chick-Fil-A, Inc.  
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. 
  • Deli Management, Inc. 
  • Inspire Brands, Inc. 
  • Mr Yum Holdings Pty Ltd.
  • Raising Cane’s Restaurants, LLC
  • BBQ Holdings LLC 
  • Thrive Restaurant Group LLC  

Plaintiff:        OrderMagic LLC

Pls. Cnsl:       Rabicoff Law

Patent:          7,831,475 (REMOTE ORDERING SYSTEM)

Patent Armory Inc. v. Gusto, Inc. (multiple cases) (S. Del.).         

Claims:          Infringement

Defendants:

  • Gusto, Inc.  
  • Impossible Foods Inc. 
  • Inovalon Holdings, Inc. 

Plaintiff:        Patent Armory Inc.

Pls. Cnsl:       Rabicoff Law; Garibian Law Offices

Patents:        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)

S3G Technology LLC v. Wendy’s International, LLC (E.D. Tex.).

Judges:          District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne

Claims:          Infringement

Defendant:     Wendy’s International, LLC

Plaintiff:        S3G Technology LLC

Pls. Cnsl:        Parker Bunt & Ainsworth

Patents:         10,831,468 (Modification of terminal and service provider machines using an update server machine); 11,210,082 (Modification of terminal and service provider machines using an update server machine); 11,662,995 (Network efficient location-based dialogue sequence using virtual processor); 9,940,124 (Modification of terminal and service provider machines using an update server machine)

VDPP, LLC v. Brandmotion, LLC (E.D. Mich., W.D. Tex.).

Judges:           Magistrate Judge David R. Grand; Magistrate Judge Jonathan J. C. Grey

Claims:          Infringement

Defendants:

  • Brandmotion, LLC
  • Office Depot, LLC

Plaintiff:       VDPP, LLC

Pls. Cnsl:        Ramey

Patents:          10,951,881 (Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3Deeps filer spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials); 9,716,874 (Continuous adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles for optimized 3Deeps stereoscopic viewing, control method and means therefor, and system and method of generating and displaying a modified video); 9,699,444 (Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3Deeps filter spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials)