Litigation against retailers was remained busy in March. Repeat filers included ArrivalStar, Eclipse IP, Hawk Technologies, LBS Innovations, Marshall Feature Recognition, Olivistar and Qommerce.
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.
Hawk Technology Systems, LLC v. Price Chopper Operating Co., Inc. et al, (N.D.N.Y., S.D. Tex.; S.D. W. Va.; S.D. Iowa) (multiple cases).
Judges: District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy; Magistrate Judge Randolph F. Treece; Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer; District Judge John A. Jarvey
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Price Chopper Operating Co., Inc.
- The Golub Corporation
- Texas Dow Employees Credit Union
- Hilton Worldwide, Inc.
- Racing Corporation of West Virginia
- Conlin Properties, Inc.
Plaintiff: Hawk Technology Systems, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: The James Law Firm; Law Office of David Bailey; Lockridge Grindal Nauen; and Mani Ellis & Layne; McKee Voorhees & Sease
Patent: RE 43,462 (Video monitoring and conferencing system).
Marshall Feature Recognition, LLC v. Health Care REIT, Inc., (E.D. Tex.).
Judges: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Health Care REIT, Inc.
- Lorillard, Inc.
- Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp.
- Midwest Holding Inc.
Plaintiff: Marshall Feature Recognition, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Austin Hansley PLLC
Patents: 6,886,750 (Method and apparatus for accessing electronic data via a familiar printed medium); and 8,910,876 (Method and apparatus for accessing electronic data via a familiar printed medium).
ZitoVault, LLC v. Amazon.com, Inc. et al, (E.D. Tex.).
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Amazon.com, Inc.
- Amazon.com, LLC
- Amazon Web Services, Inc.
- Amazon Web Services, LLC
- Bazaarvoice, Inc.
- Gearbox Software, LLC
Plaintiff: ZitoVault, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Caldwell Cassady Curry
Patent: 6,484,257 (System and method for maintaining N number of simultaneous cryptographic sessions using a distributed computing environment).
T-Rex Property AB v. Renfroe Media, LLC, (N.D. Ga., N.D. Tex., D. Minn., W.D. Mich.) (multiple cases).
Judges: District Judge Jorge A. Solis; Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung; District Judge Ann D. Montgomery
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Renfroe Media, LLC
- RMG Networks Holding Corporation
- Outfront Media Citylites, LLC
- Outfront Media Group, LLC
- Outfront Media, Inc.
- Outfront Media, LLC
- Outfront Media Minnesota, LLC
- Big D’s Leasing, LLC
- Disselkoen Properties, Inc.
- Grand Rapids Outdoors, LLC
- GR Displays, LLC
- Randy Disselkoen Properties, LLC
Plaintiff: T-Rex Property AB
Pls. Cnsl: Farney Daniels; The Maxim Law Firm; Carstens & Cahoon; and Twohey Maggini
Patents: 6,430,603 (System for direct placement of commercial advertising, public service announcements and other content on electronic billboard displays); 7,382,334 (Digital information system); and RE 39,470 (Digital information system).
Tiger Fitness Inc. v. Eclipse IP LLC, (C.D. Cal.).
Judges: District Judge Margaret M. Morrow; Magistrate Judge Alicia G. Rosenberg
Claim: Declaratory Judgment
Defendant: Eclipse IP LLC
Plaintiff: Tiger Fitness Inc.
Pls. Cnsl: Mitchell + Company
Patents: 7,064,681 (Response systems and methods for notification systems); 7,113,110 (Stop list generation systems and methods based upon tracked PCD’s and responses from notified PCD’s); 7,119,716 (Response systems and methods for notification systems for modifying future notifications); 7,319,414 (Secure notification messaging systems and methods using authentication indicia); 7,479,899 (Notification systems and methods enabling a response to cause connection between a notified PCD and a delivery or pickup representative); 7,479,900 (Notification systems and methods that consider traffic flow predicament data); 7,479,901 (Mobile thing determination systems and methods based upon user-device location); 7,482,952 (Response systems and methods for notification systems for modifying future notifications); 7,504,966 (Response systems and methods for notification systems for modifying future notifications); 7,528,742 (Response systems and methods for notification systems for modifying future notifications); 7,538,691 (Mobile thing determination systems and methods based upon user-device location); 7,561,069 (Notification systems and methods enabling a response to change particulars of delivery or pickup); 7,876,239 (Secure notification messaging systems and methods using authentication indicia); 8,068,037 (Advertisement systems and methods for notification systems); 8,232,899 (Notification systems and methods enabling selection of arrival or departure times of tracked mobile things in relation to locations); 8,242,935 (Notification systems and methods where a notified PCD causes implementation of a task(s) based upon failure to receive a notification); 8,284,076 (Systems and methods for a notification system that enable user changes to quantity of goods and/or services for delivery and/or pickup); 8,362,927 (Advertisement systems and methods for notification systems); 8,368,562 (Systems and methods for a notification system that enable user changes to stop location for delivery and/or pickup of good and/or service); 8,531,317 (Notification systems and methods enabling selection of arrival or departure times of tracked mobile things in relation to locations); 8,564,459 (Systems and methods for a notification system that enable user changes to purchase order information for delivery and/or pickup of goods and/or services); and 8,711,010 (Notification systems and methods that consider traffic flow predicament data).
Olivistar LLC v. Ally Financial Inc., (E.D. Tex.) (multiple cases).
Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Ally Financial Inc.
- Amegy Bank National Association
- American Bank of Texas
- Bank of America Corporation
- WoodForest National Bank
- BOK Financial Corporation
- Wells Fargo Bank, NA
- The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
- Capital One, National Association
- BBVA Compass Bancshares, Inc.
- Citicorp
- City Bank
- First United Bank & Trust Co.
- HSBC USA Inc.
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- TD Bank US Holding Company
- PlainsCapital Bank
- Regions Bank
- The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
- LegacyTexas Bank
- Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
- Valero Energy Corporation
- Apache Corporation
- Tesoro Corporation
- Atmos Energy Corporation
- Spectra Energy Corp.
- Centerpoint Energy, Inc.
- Southwestern Energy Company
- Chesapeake Energy Corporation
- Phillips 66 Company
- Chevron Corporation
- Cimarex Energy Co.
- ConocoPhillips Company
- DTE Energy Company
- Occidental Petroleum Corporation
- Energy Transfer Equity, LP
- Kinder Morgan, Inc.
- Exelon Corporation
- HollyFrontier Corporation
- FirstEnergy Corp.
- Exxon Mobil Corporation
Plaintiff: Olivistar LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Austin Hansley PLLC
Patents: 7,606,843 (System and method for customizing the storage and management of device data in a networked environment); 8,239,347 (System and method for customizing the storage and management of device data in a networked environment); and 8,239,481 (System and method for implementing open-control remote device control).
Purity Cosmetics v. Eclipse IP, LLC, (C.D. Cal.).
Claim: Declaratory Judgment
Defendant: Eclipse IP LLC
Plaintiff: Purity Cosmetics
Pls. Cnsl: Mitchell + Company
Patents: 7,064,681 (Response systems and methods for notification systems); 7,113,110 (Stop list generation systems and methods based upon tracked PCD’s and responses from notified PCD’s); 7,119,716 (Response systems and methods for notification systems for modifying future notifications); 7,319,414 (Secure notification messaging systems and methods using authentication indicia); 7,479,899 (Notification systems and methods enabling a response to cause connection between a notified PCD and a delivery or pickup representative); 7,479,900 (Notification systems and methods that consider traffic flow predicament data); 7,479,901 (Mobile thing determination systems and methods based upon user-device location); 7,482,952 (Response systems and methods for notification systems for modifying future notifications); 7,504,966 (Response systems and methods for notification systems for modifying future notifications); 7,528,742 (Response systems and methods for notification systems for modifying future notifications); 7,538,691 (Mobile thing determination systems and methods based upon user-device location); 7,561,069 (Notification systems and methods enabling a response to change particulars of delivery or pickup); 7,876,239 (Secure notification messaging systems and methods using authentication indicia); 8,068,037 (Advertisement systems and methods for notification systems); 8,232,899 (Notification systems and methods enabling selection of arrival or departure times of tracked mobile things in relation to locations); 8,242,935 (Notification systems and methods where a notified PCD causes implementation of a task(s) based upon failure to receive a notification); 8,284,076 (Systems and methods for a notification system that enable user changes to quantity of goods and/or services for delivery and/or pickup); 8,362,927 (Advertisement systems and methods for notification systems); 8,368,562 (Systems and methods for a notification system that enable user changes to stop location for delivery and/or pickup of good and/or service); 8,531,317 (Notification systems and methods enabling selection of arrival or departure times of tracked mobile things in relation to locations); 8,564,459 (Systems and methods for a notification system that enable user changes to purchase order information for delivery and/or pickup of goods and/or services); and 8,711,010 (Notification systems and methods that consider traffic flow predicament data).
ACCO Brands Corporation v. Eclipse IP, LLC, (C.D. Cal.).
Claim: Declaratory Judgment
Defendant: Eclipse IP, LLC
Plaintiff: ACCO Brands Corporation
Pls. Cnsl: Mitchell + Company
Patents: 7,064,681 (Response systems and methods for notification systems); 7,113,110 (Stop list generation systems and methods based upon tracked PCD’s and responses from notified PCD’s); 7,119,716 (Response systems and methods for notification systems for modifying future notifications); 7,319,414 (Secure notification messaging systems and methods using authentication indicia); 7,479,899 (Notification systems and methods enabling a response to cause connection between a notified PCD and a delivery or pickup representative); 7,479,900 (Notification systems and methods that consider traffic flow predicament data); 7,479,901 (Mobile thing determination systems and methods based upon user-device location); 7,482,952 (Response systems and methods for notification systems for modifying future notifications); 7,504,966 (Response systems and methods for notification systems for modifying future notifications); 7,528,742 (Response systems and methods for notification systems for modifying future notifications); 7,538,691 (Mobile thing determination systems and methods based upon user-device location); 7,561,069 (Notification systems and methods enabling a response to change particulars of delivery or pickup); 7,876,239 (Secure notification messaging systems and methods using authentication indicia); 8,068,037 (Advertisement systems and methods for notification systems); 8,232,899 (Notification systems and methods enabling selection of arrival or departure times of tracked mobile things in relation to locations); 8,242,935 (Notification systems and methods where a notified PCD causes implementation of a task(s) based upon failure to receive a notification); 8,284,076 (Systems and methods for a notification system that enable user changes to quantity of goods and/or services for delivery and/or pickup); 8,362,927 (Advertisement systems and methods for notification systems); 8,368,562 (Systems and methods for a notification system that enable user changes to stop location for delivery and/or pickup of good and/or service); 8,531,317 (Notification systems and methods enabling selection of arrival or departure times of tracked mobile things in relation to locations); 8,564,459 (Systems and methods for a notification system that enable user changes to purchase order information for delivery and/or pickup of goods and/or services); and 8,711,010 (Notification systems and methods that consider traffic flow predicament data).
Qommerce Systems, LLC v. 1 800 Contacts, Inc., (E.D. Tex.).
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Bluestem Brands, Inc
- Build.com, Inc.
- CafePress Inc.
- CDW Corporation
- Art.com Inc.
- Colony Brands, Inc.
- Beachbody LLC
- Disney Store USA, LLC
- Edible Arrangements, LLC
- The Gap, Inc.
- Brown Shoe Company, Inc.
- Hayneedle Inc.
- Karmaloop, Inc.
- Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
- One Kings Lane Inc.
- US Auto Parts Network, Inc.
- WW Grainger, Inc.
- eBags, Inc.
- GameFly, Inc.
- Nasty Gal, Inc.
- OmahaSteaks.com, Inc.
- Zazzle, Inc.
- B & H Foto & Electronics Corp.
- JP Boden & Co. Ltd.
- JP Boden Services Inc.
- JP Boden USA LLC
- Gander Direct Marketing Services, LLC
- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.
- Ellison Systems, Inc. d/b/a Shoplet.com
Plaintiff: Qommerce Systems, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Brandt Law Firm; and Spangler Law
Patent: 7,356,606 (Dynamic web storefront technology).
Eclipse IP LLC v. Alfa Vitamin Laboratories, Inc., (E.D. Tex.).
Judges: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Fred Perry USA, Inc.
- Moddeals LLC
- Pen Chalet LLC
- Swanson Health Products, Inc.
- American Fitness Wholesalers, LLC
- Dick Blick Holdings Inc.
- eSupplements LLC
- Hammer Nutrition Ltd.
- Hugo Boss, Inc.
- IT Cosmetics, LLC
- Pro-Source Performance Products, Inc.
- Kingsgate Transportation Services, LLC
Plaintiff: Eclipse IP LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Olavi Dunne; and Tadlock Law Firm
Patent: 7,319,414 (Secure notification messaging systems and methods using authentication indicia); 7,876,239 (Secure notification messaging systems and methods using authentication indicia); and 7,479,899 (Notification systems and methods enabling a response to cause connection between a notified PCD and a delivery or pickup representative).
LBS Innovations, LLC v. Apartment List, Inc. et al, (E.D. Tex.).
Judge: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Apartment List, Inc.
- Etsy, Inc.
- Pinterest, Inc.
- Roadtrippers Inc.
Plaintiff: LBS Innovations, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Buether Joe & Carpenter
Patent: 6,091,956 (Situation information system).
CYVA Research Holdings, LLC v. Bid4Assets, Inc., (E.D. Tex.).
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- IronPlanet, Inc.
- AirBNB, Inc.
- Desert Newco, LLC
Plaintiff: CYVA Research Holdings, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Ni Wang & Massand
Patent: 8,195,569 (E-bazaar featuring personal information security).
Cariloha, LLC v. Eclipse IP, LLC, (D. Utah).
Judge: District Judge Robert J. Shelby
Claim: Declaratory Judgment
Defendant: Eclipse IP, LLC
Plaintiff: Cariloha, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Workman Nydegger
Patent: 7,479,899 (Notification systems and methods enabling a response to cause connection between a notified PCD and a delivery or pickup representative).
Cherdak v. Marriot International, Inc., (E.D. Va.).
Judges: District Judge Raymond A. Jackson; Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller
Claim: Infringement
Defendant: Marriot International, Inc.
Plaintiff: Erik B Cherdak
Pls. Cnsl: Erik B Cherdak, pro se
Patent: 8,915,823 (System and method for processing information).
Peschke Map Technologies LLC v. Weingarten Realty Investors, (M.D. Fla.) (multiple cases).
Judges: Magistrate Judge David A. Baker; District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr.; District Judge Gregory A. Presnell; Magistrate Judge Karla R. Spaulding; Magistrate Judge Sheri Polster Chappell; Magistrate Judge Douglas N. Frazier; Senior District Judge G. Kendall Sharp
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Weingarten Realty Investors
- Highwoods Properties, Inc.
- Miromar Development Corporation
- UP Fieldgate US Investments-East Colonial, LLC
Plaintiff: Peschke Map Technologies LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist; and Ni Wang & Massand
Patent: 6,397,143 (Layout based method for map navigation).
NovelPoint Tracking LLC v. Chili’s, Inc., (E.D. Tex.).
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- International Coffee & Tea, LLC
- Hilton Worldwide, Inc.
- Hyatt Hotels Corporation
- KFC USA, Inc.
- MasterCard Incorporated
- OpenTable, Inc.
- Starbucks Corporation
- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Management Company
- Uber USA, LLC
- 7-Eleven International, Inc.
- BBVA Compass Bancshares, Inc.
- Burger King Holdings, Inc.
- Hotels.com
- McDonald’s Corporation
- Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
- Doctor’s Associates, Inc. d/b/a Subway
- United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
Plaintiff: NovelPoint Tracking LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Spangler Law; and Stamoulis & Weinblatt
Patent: 6,442,485 (Method and apparatus for an automatic vehicle location, collision notification, and synthetic voice).
ArrivalStar SA et al v. 800-Flowers, Inc., (S.D. Fla.) (multiple cases).
Judges: District Judge Beth Bloom; District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks; District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas; Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow; Magistrate Judge James M. Hopkins; District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg; District Judge James I. Cohn; Magistrate Judge Barry S. Seltzer
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- 800-Flowers, Inc.
- Alex and Ani, LLC
- GolfKnickers.com, LLC
- Transporeon Group Americas, Inc.
- Connected Telematics a/k/a U-Trac
Plaintiffs:
- ArrivalStar SA
- Melvino Technologies Limited
Pls. Cnsl: Leslie Robert Evans & Associates
Patents: 6,904,359 (Notification systems and methods with user-definable notifications based upon occurance of events); 6,952,645 (System and method for activation of an advance notification system for monitoring and reporting status of vehicle travel); 6,975,998 (Package delivery notification system and method); 7,400,970 (System and method for an advance notification system for monitoring and reporting proximity of a vehicle; and 7,030,781 (Notification system and method that informs a party of vehicle delay).
Cascades Branding Innovation LLC v. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., (N.D. Ill.) (multiple cases).
Judges: District Judge Ruben Castillo; District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr.; District Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.
- Staples, Inc.
- Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Plaintiff: Cascades Branding Innovation LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Flachsbart & Greenspoon
Patents: 7,768,395 (Brand mapping); 8,106,766 (Brand mapping); and 8,405,504 (Brand mapping).
Symbology Innovations, LLC v. Exxon Mobil Corporation, (E.D. Tex.).
Judges: District Judge Rodney Gilstrap; Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne
Claim: Infringement
Defendant: Exxon Mobil Corporation
Plaintiff: Symbology Innovations, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Brown Fox Kizzia & Johnson
Patents: 8,424,752 (System and method for presenting information about an object on a portable electronic device); 8,651,369 (System and method for presenting information about an object on a portable device); and 8,936,190 (System and method for presenting information about an object on a portable electronic device).
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. v. M&T Bank Corporation, (S.D.N.Y.) (multiple cases).
Judge: District Judge Analisa Torres
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- M&T Bank Corporation
- HSBC Bank USA, National Association
- HSBC Technology & Services (USA) Inc.
- Santander Bank, NA
Plaintiff: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
Pls. Cnsl: Kheyfits & Maloney; and Tensegrity Law Group
Patents: 5,940,510 (Transfer of valuable information between a secure module and another module); 6,105,013 (Method, apparatus, system and firmware for secure transactions); and 6,237,095 (Apparatus for transfer of secure information between a data carrying module and an electronic device).
Ingeniador, LLC v. Crutchfield Corporation, (D.P.R.).
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- Crutchfield Corporation
- Crutchfield New Media LLC
- Blucora, Inc.
- Monoprice, Inc.
- Zazzle, Inc.
Plaintiff: Ingeniador, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Ferraiuoli
Patent: 7,895,127 (Rating-based sorting and displaying of reviews).
Rothschild Location Technologies LLC v InTouch GPS, LLC, (E.D. Tex.) (multiple cases).
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- InTouch GPS, LLC
- Leica Geosystems Inc.
- Navman Wireless North America Ltd.
- Raven Industries, Inc. 6-15-cv-00258
- Spireon, Inc.
- Glympse Inc.
- Lyft, Inc.
- Phillips Electronics North America Corporation
Plaintiffs:
- Rothschild Location Technologies LLC
- Rothschild Connected Devices Innovations, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Ni Wang & Massand; and Brown Fox Kizzia & Johnson
Patent: 8,60,6503 (Device, system and method for remotely entering, storing and sharing addresses for a positional information device); 7,917,285 (Device, system and method for remotely entering, storing and sharing addresses for a positional information device); and 8,788,090 (System and method for creating a personalized consumer product).
Location Services IP, LLC v. Chase Bank USA, NA, (E.D. Tex.) (multiple cases).
Claim: Infringement
Defendants:
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- CVS Caremark Corporation
- CVS Health
- CVS Pharmacy, Inc.
- HEB Grocery Company, LP
- H E Butt Grocery Co.
- Wells Fargo Bank, NA
- Wells Fargo & Company
- Microsoft Corporation
Plaintiff: Location Services IP, LLC
Pls. Cnsl: Collins Edmonds Pogorzelski Schlather & Tower
Patents: 6,202,023 (Internet based geographic location referencing system and method); 6,356,834 (Geographic location referencing system and method); and 8,935,220 (Unified geographic database and method of creating, maintaining and using the same); and 5,839,088 (Geographic location referencing system and method).