The trolls started slow in January. Repeat filers included Landmark Technology, Hawk Technology, MPHJ, Marshall Feature Recognition, and Wolf Run Hollow.
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.
JC Penney Corporation, Inc. v. Eolas Technologies, Inc. et al, (N.D. Cal.).
Claim: Declaratory Judgment
Defendants:
- Eolas Technologies, Inc.
- The Regents of the University of California
Plaintiff: JC Penney Corporation, Inc.
Pls. Cnsl: JC Penney Corporation, Inc.
Patents: 8,082,293 (Distributed hypermedia method and system for automatically invoking external application providing interaction and display of embedded objects within a hypermedia document); and 8,086,662 (Distributed hypermedia method and system for automatically invoking external application providing interaction and display of embedded objects within a hypermedia document).
Hawk Technology Systems, LLC v. Hollywood Beach Resort Rental Program, LLC, (S.D. Fla.; D.N.J.; M.D. Fla.; N.D. Ill.) (multiple cases).
Judges: District Judge James I. Cohn; District Judge K. Michael Moore; Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert; District Judge William J. Zloch; District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr.; Magistrate Judge Gregory J. Kelly; District Judge John Z. Lee
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Hollywood Beach Resort Rental Program, LLC
- Sakert Shoprites, Inc.
- Costco Wholesale Corporation
- Universal City Development Partners, Ltd.
- Pacific Langham Chicago Corporation, d/b/a The Langham Chicago
Plaintiff: Hawk Technology Systems, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Lipscomb Eisenberg & Baker; Patrick J Cerillo, LLC; Schulz Law
Patent: RE 43,462 (Video monitoring and conferencing system).
Tejas Research, LLC v. Dillard’s, Inc., (E.D. Tex.) (multiple cases).
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.
- QVC, Inc.
- Starbucks Corporation
- Tractor Supply Company
Plaintiff: Tejas Research, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Austin Hansley PLLC
Patent: 6,006,231 (File format for an image including multiple versions of an image, and related system and method).
NovelPoint Tracking LLC v. Austad’s Golf, Inc., (E.D. Tex.) (multiple cases).
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Budget Golf II, Inc.
- Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.
- Golf Galaxy, Inc.
- Edwin Watts Golf Shops, LLC
- Global Value Commerce, Inc. dba Global Golf
- Pro Golf Discount, Inc.
- Golfsmith International Holdings Inc dba Golfsmith
- Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc.
- The Golf Warehouse, Inc.
- Worldwide Golf Enterprises, Inc.
Plaintiff: NovelPoint Tracking LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Spangler Law; Stamoulis & Weinblatt
Patent: 6,442,485 (Method and apparatus for an automatic vehicle location, collision notification, and synthetic voice).
MPHJ Technology Investments, LLC v. Dillard’s, Inc., (D. Del.) (multiple cases).
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- The Coca-Cola Company
- Huhtamaki Americas, Inc.
- Unum Group
Plaintiff: MPHJ Technology Investments, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Farney Daniels; Stamoulis & Weinblatt
Patents: 7,477,410 (Distributed computer architecture and process for virtual copying); and 8,488,173 (Distributed computer architecture and process for document management).
Ideative Product Ventures, Inc. v. CTA Digital Inc., (E.D. Tex.) (multiple cases).
Judge: District Judge Richard A. Schell
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Staples, Inc.
- StarTech.com USA, LLP
- Lindy Computer Connection Technology, Inc.
- Hewlett-Packard Company
- Monoprice, Inc.
- Monster Cable Products, Inc.
- Tera Grand Corporation
- Philips Electronics North America Corporation
- TigerDirect, Inc.
Plaintiff: Ideative Product Ventures, Inc.
Pls. Cnsl: Klemchuk Kubasta
Patent: 7,494,343 (Multiple degrees of freedom connectors and adapters).
Marshall Feature Recognition LLC v. Kao USA, Inc., (E.D. Tex.) (multiple cases).
Judges: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Select Comfort Retail Corporation
- The Procter & Gamble Company
- Walgreen Co.
Plaintiff: Marshall Feature Recognition LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Austin Hansley PLLC
Patent: 6,886,750 (Method and apparatus for accessing electronic data via a familiar printed medium).
Wolf Run Hollow, LLC v. Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc., (E.D. Tex.)
Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap
Claim: Infringement
Defendant: Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc.
Plaintiff: Wolf Run Hollow, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Austin Hansley PLLC
Patent: 6,115,817 (Methods and systems for facilitating transmission of secure messages across insecure networks).
Landmark Technology, LLC v. Deluxe Corp., (E.D. Tex.) (multiple cases).
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Louis Vuitton North America Inc.
- Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.
- Nutrisystem, Inc.
- The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc.
- Union Pacific Corp.
Plaintiff: Landmark Technology, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell; Parker Bunt & Ainsworth
Patents: 5,576,951 (Automated sales and services system); and 7,010,508 (Automated multimedia data processing network).
Online News Link LLC v. Backcountry.com, Inc., (D. Del.) (multiple cases).
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Bodybuilding.com, LLC
- Evite, Inc
- Provide Commerce, Inc.
Plaintiff: Online News Link LLC
Pls. Cnsl: DiNovo Price Ellwanger & Hardy; Farnan
Patents: 7,181,758 (Information distribution and processing system); 7,508,789 (Information distribution and processing system); and 8,457,545 (Information distribution and processing system).
Joao Bock Transaction Systems, LLC v. MasterCard Inc., (D. Del.).
Claim: Infringement
Defendant: MasterCard Inc.
Plaintiff: Joao Bock Transaction Systems, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Heninger Garrison Davis; Stamoulis & Weinblatt
Patent: 7,096,003 (Transaction security apparatus).
Lone Star WiFi LLC v. Omni Hotel Corporation et al, (E.D. Tex.) (multiple cases).
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Omni Hotels Corporation
- Omni Hotels Management Corporation
- Marriott International, Inc.
Plaintiff: Lone Star WiFi LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Nelson Bumgardner Casto; Ward & Smith Law Firm
Patents: 7,490,348 (Wireless network having multiple communication allowances); 8,312,286 (Wireless network having multiple communication allowances); an 8,583,935 (Wireless network having multiple communication allowances).
E2E Processing, Inc. v. Cabela’s Incorporated, (E.D. Tex.) (multiple cases).
Judges: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Crocs, Inc.
- Crocs Retail LLC
- Hallmark Cards Incorporated
- Hallmark.com, LLC
- Hallmark Interactive LLC
- Nordstrom, Inc.
Plaintiff: E2E Processing, Inc.
Pls. Cnsl: Liner; Spangler Law
Patent: 6,981,222 (End-to-end transaction processing and statusing system and method).
Pollin Patent Licensing, LLC et al v. CNA Financial Corporation, (N.D. Ill.).
Judge: District Judge Marvin E. Aspen
Claim: Infringement
Defendant: CNA Financial Corporation
Plaintiffs:
- Autoscribe Corporation
- Pollin Patent Licensing, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Niro Haller & Niro
Patent: 7,117,171 (System and method for making a payment from a financial account).