Case Number |
Action |
Plaintiff |
Defendant |
Patent |
2:20-cv-00156 |
Filed |
Smart Lock, LLC [East Texas Patent Management] |
Alfred International, Inc. |
7012503 |
4:20-cv-00434 |
Filed |
Post Media Systems LLC [Empire IP] |
Aspiro AB |
7069310
7472175
8725832
8959181 |
4:20-cv-03520 |
Filed |
Sipco |
Vigilent Corp. |
7103511
6914893
8964708 |
1:20-cv-00691 |
Filed |
Stormborn Technologies LLC [IP Edge] |
ORBCOMM, Inc. |
RE44199 |
1:20-cv-11007 |
Filed |
EcoFactor, Inc. |
Alarm.com, Inc.
Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. |
8180492
8412488
8738327
10534382 |
6:20-cv-00428 |
Filed |
Daedalus Blue, LLC [IBM selloff] |
Oracle Corporation
Oracle |
6920494
7177886
8572612
8671132
9032076 |
4:20-cv-00440 |
Filed |
Consolidated Transaction Processing, LLC [Equitable IP] |
GameStop Corp. |
8396743
8712846 |
2:20-cv-04744 |
Filed |
Tunnel IP LLC [IP Edge] |
JVC Kenwood Corp. |
7916877 |
8:20-cv-00983 |
Filed |
Swirlate IP, LLC [IP Edge] |
Getac, Inc. |
7154961
7567622
7154861 |
1:20-cv-03154 |
Filed |
Ramot Hills LLC |
Homy Casa Limited |
D845679 |
1:20-cv-01171 |
Filed |
Noco Co. |
Shenzhen Gooloo E-Commerce Co., Ltd. |
9007015 |
1:20-cv-01173 |
Filed |
Noco Co. |
Nice Team Enterprise Limited |
9007015 |
1:20-cv-01174 |
Filed |
Noco Co. |
Aukey Technology Co., Ltd. |
9007015 |
2:20-cv-00166 |
Filed |
JG Technologies, LLC [James Geer] |
General Motors |
7952511 |
2:20-cv-00173 |
Filed |
JG Technologies, LLC [James Geer] |
Toyota |
7952511 |
3:20-cv-03586 |
Filed |
Celebration IP, LLC [IP Edge] |
Alpha Omega Semiconductor, Inc. |
6346795 |
3:20-cv-03593 |
Filed |
SAPPHIRE CROSSING, LLC [IP Edge] |
Evernote Corp. |
6891633 |
5:20-cv-03588 |
Filed |
Celebration IP, LLC [IP Edge] |
Tenergy Corp. |
6346795 |
2:20-cv-02545 |
Filed |
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GMBH & CO. KG
Boehringer-Ingelheim
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNATIONAL GMBH |
HEC Pharm Co., Ltd.
HEC PHARM USA, Inc. |
|
6:20-cv-00437 |
Filed |
Omnitek Partners LLC |
General Motors |
|
4:20-cv-00432 |
Filed |
Post Media Systems LLC [Equitable IP] |
Saavn Media Pvt., Ltd. |
7069310
7472175
8725832
8959181 |
1:20-cv-00692 |
Filed |
Stormborn Technologies LLC [IP Edge] |
Lantronix, Inc. |
RE44199 |
1:20-cv-00693 |
Filed |
Guada Technologies, LLC [IP Edge] |
3M Co. |
7231379 |
1:20-cv-00695 |
Filed |
Guada Technologies, LLC [IP Edge] |
United Rentals, Inc. |
7231379 |
3:20-cv-00958 |
Filed |
Omnitracs, LLC
XRS Corp. |
Platform Science, Inc. |
9262934
7043365
8626568
10255575
6925308
7725216
9147335 |
6:20-cv-00421 |
Filed |
Zeroclick, LLC [IP Nav] |
Dell Technologies |
7818691 |
6:20-cv-00425 |
Filed |
Zeroclick, LLC [IP Nav] |
Samsung Group |
8549443
7818691 |
6:20-cv-00427 |
Filed |
Daedalus Blue, LLC [IBM selloff] |
Oracle Corporation
Oracle |
|
2:20-cv-00158 |
Filed |
CommWorks Solutions, LLC [IP Investments Group] |
Cable One, Inc. dba Sparklight |
6832249
6891807
7027465
7177285
7463596
7760664
7911979
8116315
RE44904 |
1:20-cv-00472 |
Filed |
Altria Client Services LLC
US SMOKELESS TOBACCO COMPANY LLC |
Reynolds American Inc. |
10143242
10264824
10299517
10485269
10492541
10588357
7798319
8458996
8556070 |
5:20-cv-01162 |
Filed |
Tunnel IP LLC [IP Edge] |
Best Buy Co., Inc. |
7916877 |
2:20-cv-04806 |
Filed |
Smart Lock, LLC [East Texas Patent Management] |
LH Licensed Products, Inc. |
7012503 |
2:20-cv-00163 |
Filed |
JG Technologies, LLC |
BMW |
7952511 |
2:20-cv-00167 |
Filed |
JG Technologies, LLC [James Geer] |
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. |
7952511 |
1:20-cv-00716 |
Filed |
Nitetek Licensing LLC [IP Edge] |
Ingeteam Inc. |
|
1:20-cv-00720 |
Filed |
Jewell Pathway LLC [IP Edge] |
Puma North America, Inc. |
|
1:20-cv-04108 |
Filed |
Jewell Pathway LLC [IP Edge] |
POLAR ELECTRO Inc., |
|
6:20-cv-00436 |
Filed |
Omnitek Partners LLC |
Ford Motor |
|
6:20-cv-00440 |
Filed |
Omnitek Partners LLC |
Toyota |
|
6:20-cv-00443 |
Filed |
CDN INNOVATIONS, LLC [IP Investments Group] |
Hitachi, Ltd. |
|
6:20-cv-00445 |
Filed |
CDN INNOVATIONS, LLC [IP Investments Group] |
MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED |
|
1:20-cv-01479 |
Filed |
Smart Lock, LLC [East Texas Patent Management] |
LockState, Inc. |
7012503 |
1:20-cv-00694 |
Filed |
Guada Technologies, LLC [IP Edge] |
Apex Tool Group, LLC |
7231379 |
6:20-cv-00423 |
Filed |
Zeroclick, LLC [IP Edge] |
Microsoft |
7818691 |
2:20-cv-00157 |
Filed |
Zyrcuits IP LLC [IP Edge] |
Ingersoll-Rand Co. |
6671307 |
2:20-cv-00160 |
Filed |
CommWorks Solutions, LLC [IP Investments Group] |
AMG Technology Investment Group, LLC dba Netlink |
6832249
6891807
7027465
7177285
7463596
7760664
7911979
8116315
RE44904 |
4:20-cv-00437 |
Filed |
Consolidated Transaction Processing, LLC [Equitable IP] |
Franchise Group, Inc.
Vitamin Shoppe Industries, LLC
Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.
Vitamin Shoppe, LLC |
8396743
8712846 |
4:20-cv-00439 |
Filed |
Consolidated Transaction Processing, LLC [Equitable IP] |
Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. |
8396743
8712846 |
1:20-cv-00706 |
Filed |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Ethanol Boosting Systems, LLC |
Ford Motor |
9708965
10619580 |
1:20-cv-01500 |
Filed |
Zyrcuits IP LLC [IP Edge] |
Hitron Technologies Americas, Inc. |
6671307 |
5:20-cv-00223 |
Filed |
Terminal Reality, Inc.
Infernal Technology, LLC |
Ubisoft, Inc.
Ubisoft Entertainment SA |
6362822
7061488 |
4:20-cv-01847 |
Filed |
Graco, Inc.
Graco Minnesota, Inc. |
Akurate Dynamics, LLC |
9939822 |
6:20-cv-00429 |
Filed |
Forutome IP, LLC [IP Edge] |
Radian Research, Inc. |
6191607 |
1:20-cv-01166 |
Filed |
Noco Co. |
Shenzhen Yike Electronics Co., Ltd. |
9007015 |
1:20-cv-01170 |
Filed |
Noco Co. |
Zhejiang Quingyou Electronic Commerce Co., Ltd. |
9007015 |
2:20-cv-00170 |
Filed |
JG Technologies, LLC [James Greer] |
Mercedes-Benz |
7952511 |
5:20-cv-03611 |
Filed |
Aperture Net LLC [IP Edge] |
Allied Telesis, Inc. |
6711204 |
1:20-cv-03193 |
Filed |
Nitetek Licensing LLC [IP Edge] |
HMS Industrial Networks, Inc. |
7020105
6661783 |
1:20-cv-00713 |
Filed |
Revolar Technology Inc. |
GuardLlama, Inc. |
|
1:20-cv-00718 |
Filed |
Tunnel IP LLC [IP Edge] |
Onkyo USA Corporation |
|
7:20-cv-04140 |
Filed |
DigiMedia Tech, LLC [IP Investments Group] |
Fujifilm Holdings America Corp. |
|
1:20-cv-11032 |
Filed |
Converse, Inc. |
Steven Madden, Ltd. |
D873547
D874106 |
4:20-cv-00555 |
Filed |
Midas Green Technologies, LLC |
Immersion Systems LLC |
|
1:20-cv-00570 |
Filed |
Jewell Pathway LLC [IP Edge] |
Under Armour Inc |
|
6:20-cv-00441 |
Filed |
Omnitek Partners LLC |
Volvo Car Co. |
|
4:20-cv-00431 |
Filed |
Post Media Systems LLC [Equitable IP] |
Stingray Group, Inc. |
7069310
7472175
8725832
8959181 |
1:20-cv-00697 |
Filed |
Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma Ltd.
Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma France SAS |
Lupin Limited |
10624855 |
1:20-cv-00699 |
Filed |
TableSafe, Inc. |
DinerIQ, Inc. |
7370794 |
2:20-cv-00264 |
Filed |
Sundesa, LLC dba The BlenderBottle Co. |
Gleeb, LLC |
8695830
D748478
D820038 |
1:20-cv-01169 |
Filed |
Noco Co. |
Sui Cheng Limited
Guangzhou Unique Electronics Co., Ltd. |
9007015 |
2:20-cv-00162 |
Filed |
Celebration IP, LLC [IP Edge] |
STMicroelectronics |
6346795 |
2:20-cv-00164 |
Filed |
JG Technologies, LLC |
FCA US LLC |
7952511 |
2:20-cv-00168 |
Filed |
JG Technologies, LLC |
Hyundai Motor America, Inc. |
7952511 |
2:20-cv-00172 |
Filed |
JG Technologies, LLC |
Tesla, Inc. dba Tesla Motors, Inc. |
7952511 |
2:20-cv-00175 |
Filed |
JG Technologies, LLC |
Volvo Car Co. |
7952511 |
3:20-cv-03587 |
Filed |
Celebration IP, LLC |
Renesas Electronics Corp. |
6346795 |
3:20-cv-03594 |
Filed |
Nitetek Licensing LLC [IP Edge] |
ChargePoint, Inc. |
7020105
6661783 |
1:20-cv-00717 |
Filed |
Nitetek Licensing LLC [IP Edge] |
Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. |
|
1:20-cv-00719 |
Filed |
Tunnel IP LLC [IP Edge] |
Pioneer Corp |
|
6:20-cv-00438 |
Filed |
Omnitek Partners LLC |
Here Global B.V., Inc. |
|
6:20-cv-00439 |
Filed |
Omnitek Partners LLC |
Mazda Motor Corp. |
|
2:20-cv-00155 |
Filed |
Universal Arbor, LLC [Endpoint IP] |
Hangzhou Great Star Industrial Co., Ltd. |
10245744 |
1:20-cv-00696 |
Filed |
Swirlate IP, LLC [IP Edge] |
Lytx, Inc. |
7154961
7567622 |
6:20-cv-00422 |
Filed |
Zeroclick, LLC [IP Nav] |
LG Corp. |
8549443
7818691 |
6:20-cv-00424 |
Filed |
Zeroclick, LLC [IP Nav] |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and Samsung electronics America, Inc., |
|
1:20-cv-00591 |
Filed |
Sundesa, LLC dba The BlenderBottle Co. |
Gleeb, LLC |
8695830
D748478
D820038 |
2:20-cv-00159 |
Filed |
CommWorks Solutions, LLC [IP Investments Group] |
Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Communication Enterprise Services, Inc. |
6832249
6891807
7027465
7177285
7463596
7760664
7911979
8116315
RE44904 |
4:20-cv-00438 |
Filed |
Consolidated Transaction Processing, LLC [Equitable IP] |
PetSmart, Inc. |
8396743
8712846 |
1:20-cv-04080 |
Filed |
University of South Florida Board of Trustees
USF Research Foundation |
Fujifilm Medical Systems USA, Inc. |
6630937 |
5:20-cv-05095 |
Filed |
R & R Packaging, Inc. |
Evenflo Co., Inc. |
9189943
9424728 |
4:20-cv-01852 |
Filed |
Vulcan Energy Services, LLC
Vulcan Industrial Holdings, LLC
Cizion, LLC dba Vulcan Industrial Manufacturing, LLC |
Kelcy Jake Foster
Defendant Kerr Machine Co.
Mark S. Nowell |
10591070 |
5:20-cv-03522 |
Filed |
Xiaohua Huang |
Fry’s Electronics, Inc. |
6744653
6999331
RE45259 |
5:20-cv-03560 |
Filed |
Forutome IP, LLC [IP Edge] |
Elecraft Incorporated |
6191607 |
2:20-cv-00165 |
Filed |
JG Technologies, LLC [James Geer] |
Ford Motor |
7952511 |
2:20-cv-00169 |
Filed |
JG Technologies, LLC [James Geer] |
Jaguar Land Rover Ltd |
7952511 |
2:20-cv-00171 |
Filed |
JG Technologies, LLC [James Geer] |
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. |
7952511 |
2:20-cv-00174 |
Filed |
JG Technologies, LLC [James Geer] |
Volkswagen |
7952511 |
5:20-cv-03590 |
Filed |
SAPPHIRE CROSSING, LLC [IP Edge] |
ABBYY Software House, Inc. |
6891633 |
5:20-cv-03613 |
Filed |
Aperture Net LLC [IP Edge] |
Digi International, Inc.
Opengear, Inc. |
6711204 |
2:20-cv-02549 |
Filed |
DigiMedia Tech, LLC [Ip Investments Group] |
Olympus, Corp.
Okamura Corp.
Olympus Corporation |
|
3:20-mc-00040 |
Filed |
|
|
|
6:20-cv-00432 |
Filed |
Oceana Innovations LLC [Endpoint IP] |
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS |
|
6:20-cv-00442 |
Filed |
CDN INNOVATIONS, LLC [IP Investments Group] |
Broadcom, Inc. |
|
6:20-cv-00444 |
Filed |
CDN INNOVATIONS, LLC [IP Investments Group] |
Mediatek Inc.
MediaTek |
|
2:20-cv-00816 |
Filed |
Aperture Net LLC [IP Edge] |
Watchguard Technologies, Inc. |
|
Join the Discussion
11 comments so far.
Jonathan Stroud
June 4, 2020 06:49 pmThough Marc, in reviewing what I wrote and what I meant to say, they have been offloading assets to Acacia and other entities—thousands in total, not thousands to Acacia per se. But I see the confusion I caused there.
Jonathan Stroud
June 4, 2020 06:47 pmFair enough. To Marc’s point, he’s right—Acacia recently purchased thousands of patents from the Excalibur portfolio, not the Intellectual Ventures one—that was Endpoint IP. I regret the error there.
And I think talking about the purchasing and structure of some of these deals and entities is important and it appears no one else is doing so, but I take your point that being glib isn’t necessary—it wasn’t my intent to muddle the message. I can provide sourcing (I tried to link to the assignment records discussed) and be more even-handed when discussing it, but it can’t be argued credibly that sales of patents are up and the average asking price is hundreds of thousands.
To Josh’s point, the structure of the deal (at least, that one deal) guarantees IV millions of dollars, it’s just parcelled out in a way that the upfront payment is $10,000 for that one portfolio, and they have to pay back step-raise amounts of hundreds of thousands of dollars for three years depending on how much money they recoup in their licensing efforts. I thought discussing the structure of the deal there (which is just one deal, sure) would help drive home what is evident—the IV is selling off their assets and has been for few years, and that’s driving much of the secondary market’s liquidity and sales these past few years (in particular the past few months). This week’s filings were in substantial part attributable to those sales, which seems newsworthy, or at least helpful context. But again, all points well taken. I’ll try to be more even-handed in the future.
Anon
June 4, 2020 11:56 amMr. Booth,
I will point out that Mr. Stroud has in the past attempted to distinguish some of his writing as being objective and NOT related to his role at Unified Patents.
This here fails to reach that standard.
Mr. Stroud, by so engaging in advocacy rather than objective commentary, you run the risk of ALL of your comments being dismissed out of hand.
I do not think that you want to do that.
Marc Booth
June 4, 2020 10:48 amBetter get your facts straight Mr. Stroud. “and recently offloaded thousands to Acacia…”. Acacia has not purchased nor do they have any interest in any IV patents. Your articles read more like smear campaigns than actual news.
Josh Malone
June 4, 2020 10:20 amOf course they are making money, they are buying patents for $10,000! The inventors and original investors took a huge loss. The NPEs are the only ONLY who can make money in this system. It has nothing to do with innovation.
Anon
June 4, 2020 10:14 amMy comment at 5 was written prior to Mr. Stroud’s comment at 3 and applies to the article rather than to his follow-on comment.
Anon
June 4, 2020 09:24 amLess spin please, Mr. Stroud.
Ternary
June 3, 2020 11:34 pm“You have to love the names of these entities.” (The names being American Patents and Liberty Patents. Unless he meant Antonelli, Harrington and Thompson; who knows what sets these UP guys off.) Those names are not any worse than Unified Patents, a non-practicing entity (NPE) if there ever was one.
Jonathan Stroud
June 3, 2020 11:04 pmAssertors/sellers are making plenty of money, and AST reports that Q1 had more transactions than any quarter since 2010. AST has most major transactions recorded, and notes even mid-last year that acquisitions were on the rise, and they are: https://www.ast.com/news_article/iam-ast-quarterly-report-operating-company-dominance-of-the-patent-deals-market-continues-latest-data-reveals/
What companies are looking for certainly has changed, but at least Endpoint IP acquired 2,507 (or more) patents from IV, and they’ve been busy parceling them out and asserting. Burford Capital invested $400 million in Acacia research at the turn of the year, and the capital folks to their homework. The average asking price has been kicking around $140-$200,000 per patent for years, though that’s obviously with a high standard deviation (some very large expensive acquisitions, and other very small ones). Richardson Oliver Insights puts out a regular reputable report: https://roipatents.com/
Anon
June 3, 2020 06:33 pmMr. Malone,
Large scale filers remain (for the most part) large scale filers.
Of course, they are much better positioned to be able to afford to weather the storm and keep up the mechanics (in case the drop off of small entities DOES become precipitous and there is a “change of heart” in Congress).
Josh Malone
June 3, 2020 04:45 pmI have suspected that U.S. patents are underwater and being traded for less than the $40K it costs to produce them (not counting R&D expense). This analysis seems to support that U.S. patents have become a net liability rather than an asset.
It is hard to understand why filings have not dropped more. I suppose inventors have similar levels of desperation and financial acumen as lottery players.