It was another light week at the Patent Trial and Appeals Board (PTAB), with 19 petitions filed (all inter partes reviews [IPRs]), while 78 district court patent filings brought us up to the Thanksgiving holiday week. While I don’t normally report on terminations, it appears that RPX has settled with frequent filer, Castlemorton Wireless, and has passed that license on to a number of litigants; and last week alone more than a dozen IP Edge suits settled prior to the answer being filed, suggesting small-dollar settlements across their various entities.
High-Performance Terrain Response® Complaint: Call it a battle of luxury sports cars; Jaguar Land Rover Limited has sued Porsche, Lamborghini, Volkwagen, and Audi over infringement of a single patent related to its proprietary Terrain Response® technology, RE46,828. A reissue of U.S. 7,349,776, JLR accuses Porsche’s Cayenne models. The patent has a long and tortured history—Porsche’s sister company Bentley tried and failed to cancel the patent under 101 in district court, and later challenged the patents via IPR, naming Porsche as a real-party-in-interest. The Board declined institution of both.
The technology at bottom includes electronic control of the vehicle’s subsystems like steering, suspension, brakes, and engine in ways that help with various off-road terrain. Where this complaint is going, they don’t need roads. No word yet if flying Deloreans are potential prior art here.
My Man Jack Henry & Associates: You have to feel bad for certain suppliers in certain markets, where indemnification of commercial-facing products requires them to routinely step into the breach when suits are filed against their customers. In the financial services industry, Jack Henry & Associates is that supplier. They were forced to spend years fighting Raymond Anthony Joao and Joao Bock Transaction Systems LLC, eventually earning an eye-popping $1 million attorney’s fees award upheld on appeal (only to meet with a quick bankruptcy and, one would assume, no collection). They have been pulled into the wide-ranging but short-lived bank-targeting Lighthouse Consulting Group suit, about depositing electronic checks; they faced the infamous Datatreasury patents; they were brought into Cryptopeak Solutions, Plano Encryption, and other once-controlled Brad Liddle entities; and they’ve been dragged into the Mirror Imaging case, where all of the patents were eventually cancelled under 101. (Not to mention Enfish.) Now they’ve been dragged into the recent glut of IP Edge cases targeting commercial financial products, including now the three-patent Milestone IP LLC. It’s unclear what effect the sunset of CBM challenges will have on the shelf life of such campaigns, but in the meantime, it appears their role as defender/target/punching bag for the commercial-facing financial industry shows no sign of diminishing.
PTAB (19)
Case Number | Action | Owner | Petitioner | Patent |
IPR2021-00231 | Filed | JBF Interlude 2009 Ltd. [Interlude US, Inc.] | Quibi Holdings, LLC | 10418066 |
IPR2021-00195 | Filed | Masimo Corp | Apple Inc. | 10376190 |
IPR2021-00191 | Filed | Bell Semiconductor, LLC [Hilco Inc.] | Microchip Technology, Inc. Microsemi Corporation |
7221173 |
IPR2021-00196 | Filed | Proven Networks LLC [RAK Investments III, LLC, Russ, August, & Kabat) | VMware, Inc. Dell Technologies Inc. |
7450507 |
IPR2021-00219 | Filed | Sito Mobile R&D IP, LLC Sito Mobile, Ltd |
Hulu, LLC | 9135635 |
IPR2021-00203 | Filed | Sable Networks, Inc. [Sable IP, LLC, unknown third party] | Palo Alto Networks, Inc. Dell Technologies Inc. Juniper Networks, Inc. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Aruba Networks, Inc. |
6977932 |
IPR2021-00201 | Filed | Thaddeus Gabara | Facebook, Inc. | 8836698 |
IPR2021-00208 | Filed | Masimo Corp | Apple Inc. | 10258266 |
IPR2021-00209 | Filed | Masimo Corp | Apple Inc. | 10376191 |
IPR2021-00206 | Filed | Sito Mobile R&D IP, LLC Sito Mobile, Ltd |
Hulu, LLC | 9135636 |
IPR2021-00063 | Filed | Sable Networks, Inc. [Sable IP, LLC, unknown third party] | Palo Alto Networks, Inc. Dell Technologies Inc. Juniper Networks, Inc. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Aruba Networks, Inc. |
6977932 |
IPR2021-00193 | Filed | Masimo Corp | Apple Inc. | 10299708 |
IPR2021-00200 | Filed | Thaddeus Gabara | Facebook, Inc. | 8620545 |
IPR2021-00102 | Filed | Interdigital VC Holdings, Inc. [Interdigital, Inc.] | Unified Patents, LLC | 8363724 |
IPR2021-00211 | Filed | Malvern Panalytical Inc. | TA Instruments-Waters Technologies Corporation | 10036715 |
IPR2021-00210 | Filed | Malvern Panalytical Inc. | TA Instruments-Waters Technologies Corporation | 9404876 |
IPR2021-00213 | Filed | Malvern Panalytical Inc. | TA Instruments-Waters Technologies Corporation | 10254239 |
IPR2021-00212 | Filed | Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. [poss. Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Government of the United States of America] | Dropworks, Inc., | 9127310 |
IPR2021-00218 | Filed | Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC [Government of the United States of America, poss. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.] | Dropworks, Inc., | RE41780 |
PGR2020-00064 | Not Instituted – Merits | Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC [Exela Holdings Inc.] | Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 10478453 |
CBM2020-00014 | Not Instituted – Merits | Savvy Dog Systems LLC | Banilla Games, Inc. | 7736223 |
IPR2020-00963 | Not Instituted – Merits | BOT M8, LLC [Poss. Universal Entertainment, Acceleration Bay] | Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC |
7338363 |
IPR2020-00946 | Not Instituted – Procedural | Ecofactor, Inc | Google LLC | 8131497 |
IPR2020-00921 | Not Instituted – Procedural | RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc. [British American Tobacco, Inc.] | Philip Morris Products S.A. | 9814268 |
IPR2020-00968 | Not Instituted – Procedural | Ecofactor, Inc | Google LLC | 8423322 |
IPR2020-00947 | Not Instituted – Procedural | Ecofactor, Inc | Google LLC | 8131497 |
IPR2020-00919 | Not Instituted – Procedural | RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc. [British American Tobacco, Inc.] | Philip Morris Products S.A. | 9901123 |
IPR2020-00783 | Instituted | Philips North America LLC [Koninklijke Philips N.V.] | Fitbit, Inc. Garmin International, Inc. Garmin USA, Inc. Garmin Ltd. |
7088233 |
IPR2020-00937 | Instituted | Truinject Corp. | SHDS, Inc Galderma Laboratories LP |
10290232 |
IPR2020-00910 | Instituted | Philips North America LLC [Koninklijke Philips N.V.] | Garmin International, Inc. Garmin USA, Inc. Garmin Ltd. |
7088233 |
IPR2020-00908 | Instituted | Document Security Systems, Inc. [Fortress IP, Softbank] | Nichia Corporation | 6879040 |
IPR2020-00938 | Instituted | Document Security Systems, Inc. [Fortress IP, Softbank] | Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd. | 7315119 |
IPR2020-00994 | Instituted | Paice LLC & The Abell Foundation, Inc. | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft BMW of North America, LLC |
7104347 |
IPR2020-01013 | Instituted | IP Reservoir, LLC Exegy, Inc |
Activ Financial Systems, Inc. | 9047243 |
IPR2020-00920 | Instituted | RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc. [British American Tobacco, Inc.] | Philip Morris Products S.A. | 8314591 |
IPR2020-00935 | Instituted | Truinject Corp. | SHDS, Inc Galderma Laboratories LP |
10290231 |
IPR2020-00930 | Instituted | Sendsig, LLC [IP Investments Group] | Square, Inc. | 6564249 |
IPR2019-01101 | Final Written Decision | Carucel Investments, L.P. [Curiam Capital] | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. | 7221904 |
IPR2019-01105 | Final Written Decision | Carucel Investments, L.P. [Curiam Capital] | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. | 8718543 |
IPR2017-00440 | Final Written Decision | Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. | Cook Medical, Inc. Cook group Inc. Cook Medical LLC |
9271731 |
IPR2019-01110 | Final Written Decision | Frederick E. Shelton IV, et al. Ethicon, Inc. |
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. | 8602288 |
IPR2019-01002 | Final Written Decision | Citrix Systems, Inc | Workspot, Inc | 8135843 |
IPR2019-01094 | Final Written Decision | DMF, Inc. | AMP Plus, Inc. dba Elco Lighting AMP Plus, Inc. Elco Lighting |
9964266 |
IPR2017-00134 | Final Written Decision | Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. | Cook Medical, Inc. Cook Group Inc. Cook Medical LLC |
8709027 |
PGR2019-00048 | Final Written Decision | Corcept Therapeutics, Inc | Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. |
10195214 |
IPR2019-00856 | Final Written Decision | SRR Patent Holdings, LLC Leigh M. Rothschild |
Askeladden LLC | 8799088 |
IPR2019-00855 | Final Written Decision | SRR Patent Holdings, LLC Leigh M. Rothschild |
Askeladden LLC | 8799088 |
IPR2019-01573 | Final Written Decision | Carucel Investments, L.P. [Curiam Capital] | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. | 7221904 |
IPR2019-01129 | Final Written Decision | Australian Mud Company. Ltd. | Boart Longyear Ltd. Globaltech Corporation Pty Ltd. |
7584055 |
District Court (78)
Case Number | Action | Plaintiff | Defendant | Patent |
1:20-cv-01537 | Filed | Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC dba ON Semiconductor | IGO, Inc. | 7904738 7977823 |
1:20-cv-09610 | Filed | E&E Co., Ltd. | London Luxury | 10820376 |
6:20-cv-01056 | Filed | LedComm LLC [IP Valuation Partners] | Signify North America Corporation Signify Holding B.V. Signify N.V. |
7154125 7161190 7490959 6803606 7012277 7301176 6982522 |
3:20-cv-08082 | Filed | Commstech LLC [Ni, Wang, & Massand PLLC] | Dialogic (US) Inc. | 6349028 7769028 7990860 |
6:20-cv-01057 | Filed | DatRec, LLC [Nacar IP] | E-MDs, Inc. | 8156158 |
6:20-cv-01063 | Filed | Context Directions, LLC | Samsung Group | 9807791 |
1:20-cv-01726 | Filed | Hydra-Flex Inc | Cleaning Systems LLC | 8887743 |
1:20-cv-01544 | Filed | Bard Peripheral Vascular CR Bard, Inc. |
AngioDynamics, Inc. | 7947022 7959615 7785302 |
8:20-cv-02208 | Filed | QC Manufacturing, Inc. | Does Brighter Concepts, Inc. dba Solatube Home Daylight Solatube International, Inc. |
10753627 |
5:20-cv-08103 | Filed | Masterobjects | Amazon.com, Inc. | 9760628 10311073 10394866 8539024 |
1:20-cv-01554 | Filed | Jaguar Land Rover Ltd | Porsche Cars North America, Incorporated Dr. ING. H.C.F. Porsche AG |
RE46828 |
0:20-cv-02358 | Filed | Westfield Outdoor | Simple Sourcing LLC | 9211897 9073564 |
6:20-cv-01068 | Filed | Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. | Milestone IP LLC [IP Edge] | 6473523 7114124 6236994 |
5:20-cv-08205 | Filed | Samsung Semiconductor, Inc Samsung Group |
Trenchant Blade Technologies, LLC Longhorn IP LLC |
6720619 7056821 7494846 |
1:20-cv-01560 | Filed | Streamline Automation, LLC | Icon Health and Fitness, Inc. | 9144709 9272186 9586091 |
1:20-cv-00498 | Filed | Halcyon Brand Services, Inc Performance Solutions, LLC 321 Holdings |
Ron Johnson Engineering, Inc. Ronald B. Johnson |
9656112 9668933 8002682 9345921 7918774 9539167 |
4:20-cv-03964 | Filed | US Synthetic Corp. | FIDC Beijing Fortune International Diamond | 10508502 10507565 |
4:20-cv-03970 | Filed | US Synthetic Corp. | Henan Jingrui New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. | 10508502 10507565 9932274 9315881 |
1:20-cv-01534 | Filed | Cedar Lane Technologies Inc. | Nanonets Inc. | 6904168 |
1:20-cv-04662 | Filed | ATLeisure | Sunvilla Corporation | 8104492 |
4:20-cv-00886 | Filed | SB IP Holdings LLC | Vivint Smart Home, Inc. | 9432638 9635323 9648290 10674120 9414030 9485478 9516284 |
4:20-cv-00887 | Filed | Akoloutheo, LLC | ScienceSoft USA Corporation | 7426730 |
3:20-cv-08096 | Filed | OptraHealth, Inc. | BotsCrew, Inc. | 10754882 |
1:20-cv-24742 | Filed | MINDBASEHQ LLC | Alphabet, Inc. | 6510433 6665680 |
2:20-cv-00365 | Filed | Biometric Associates, LP | Ulta Beauty, Inc. | 7480637 |
1:20-cv-01553 | Filed | Jaguar Land Rover Ltd | Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. Automobili Lamborghini America, LLC Audi AG |
RE46828 |
2:20-cv-02226 | Filed | EquiStem Technology LLC dba Equus Innovations | Hilltop Biosciences Incorporated | 9814746 9132156 10517903 |
1:20-cv-01150 | Filed | CONCRETE SUPPORT SYSTEMS, LLC | Bradley Bond BOND FORMWORK SYSTEMS, LLC |
10024069 |
1:20-cv-01558 | Filed | Salient Systems Corporation | Hawk Technology Systems, LLC Mark Shulman |
|
1:20-cv-01567 | Filed | Loren Maggiore Skell, Inc. dba Bug-A-Salt |
Dillard’s, Inc. William E. Connor & Associates Ltd. |
8251051 D676923 |
1:20-cv-09817 | Filed | USAData, Inc. | DataWidget, LLC Eprintwerx International LLC, d/b/a LeadsPlease.com |
10102557 |
4:20-cv-03968 | Filed | US Synthetic Corp. | Iljin Diamond Co., Ltd. Iljin Holdings Co., Ltd. Iljin USA Inc. Iljin China Co., Ltd. Iljin Europe GmbH et al. |
10508502 10507565 |
3:20-cv-01059 | Filed | Metal Pless Inc | Kage Innovation LLC Kage Innovation Corporation |
9611604 |
2:20-cv-05565 | Filed | Elkay Manufacturing Co. | Kraus USA Inc. | 10151085 |
1:20-cv-06821 | Filed | OsteoMed LLC | Stryker Corporation | 8529608 9351776 9763716 10245085 |
1:20-cv-01543 | Filed | Bard Peripheral Vascular CR Bard, Inc. |
Smiths Group | 7947022 7785302 |
1:20-cv-01111 | Filed | Darrell K. Thompson | Medtronic Medtronic, Inc. Stryker Corporation Jolife AB Physio-Control International et al. |
6988499 |
1:20-cv-01552 | Filed | Jaguar Land Rover Ltd | Audi of America, LLC Audi AG |
RE46828 |
2:20-cv-00811 | Filed | Purple Innovation | Advanced Comfort Technologies dba Intellibed | 7666341 7964664 |
1:20-cv-06905 | Filed | Aperture Net LLC [IP Edge] | CBC Group, LLC | 6711204 |
1:20-cv-01566 | Filed | Aristors Licensing LLC [IP Edge] | Genasys, Inc. | 8013734 |
1:20-cv-24807 | Filed | DatRec, LLC [Nacar IP] | Carecloud Corp. | 8156158 |
4:20-cv-03962 | Filed | US Synthetic Corp. | CR Gems | 10508502 10507565 |
4:20-cv-03973 | Filed | US Synthetic Corp. | International Diamond Services, Inc. Zhengzhou New Asia Superhard Materials Composite Co., Ltd. |
10508502 10507565 8616306 |
4:20-cv-03975 | Filed | US Synthetic Corp. | Fujian Wanlong Superhard Material Technology Co., Ltd. | 10508502 9932274 9315881 |
2:20-cv-00827 | Filed | Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics | Spectrum Solutions | 8084443 8293467 8415330 8669240 9212399 9683256 |
2:20-cv-05708 | Filed | Eko Brands, LLC | Jacent Strategic Merchandising, LLC fka LAMI PRODUCTS, LLC | 10154751 8707855 |
2:20-cv-05710 | Filed | Streamlight, Inc. | Tractor Supply Company | 10670251 |
1:20-cv-09654 | Filed | Global Edge Design Inc. | Matthew Justin Michel | |
1:20-cv-09657 | Filed | Rothschild Broadcast Distribution Systems, LLC [Leigh Rothschild] | Aircall.io, Inc. | |
1:20-cv-09686 | Filed | T.C.M. International Trade Ltd. | Yuval Ravid Itamar Eshet Craftology Ltd. dba Mixology & Craft |
D857430 |
2:20-cv-02204 | Filed | Novariant Incorporated AgJunction, LLC |
Ag Leader Technology Incorporated | 7256388 7648004 |
8:20-cv-03338 | Filed | rothchild broadcast distribution systems llc | curiositystream, Inc. | 8856221 |
6:20-cv-01061 | Filed | Coldiron Specialized Company | Norton Transportation, Inc. | |
6:20-cv-01064 | Filed | Context Directions, LLC | LG Corp. | 9807564 |
2:20-cv-16564 | Filed | Jaguar Land Rover Ltd | Volkswagen | RE46828 |
9:20-cv-82126 | Filed | DatRec, LLC [Nacar IP] | FamHis, Inc. | 8156158 8381309 |
1:20-cv-01149 | Filed | BOND FORMWORK SYSTEMS, LLC CONCRETE SUPPORT SYSTEMS, LLC |
||
3:20-cv-00797 | Filed | Halcyon Brand Services, Inc Performance Solutions, LLC 321 Holdings |
Sea Ties LLC | 9668933 8002682 9345921 7918774 9539167 9656112 |
4:20-cv-03963 | Filed | US Synthetic Corp. | Synergy Materials Technology Ltd. Element Six GmbH Element Six Global Innovation Centre Element Six Hard Materials (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. ServSix US et al. |
10508502 10507565 |
4:20-cv-03971 | Filed | US Synthetic Corp. | Zhuhai Juxin Technology | 10508502 8616306 |
4:20-cv-03974 | Filed | US Synthetic Corp. | SF Diamond USA, Inc. SF Diamond Co. Ltd. |
10508502 10507565 8616306 |
6:20-cv-01073 | Filed | GreatGigz Solutions, LLC [Raymond Anthony Joao] | Subway Subs, Inc. Postmates, Inc. Subway Sandwich Shops Inc. Franchise World Headquarters, LLC d/b/a Subway Restaurants d/b/a Subway Doctor’s Associates, Inc. |
7490086 9760864 6662194 10096000 |
3:20-cv-00637 | Filed | Selex ES, Inc. | NDI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. D/B/A NDA RECOGNITION SYSTEMS | 7504965 |
6:20-cv-01062 | Filed | Coldiron Specialized Company | Norton Transport, Inc. | 7980809 7547179 8202036 |
1:20-cv-01547 | Filed | Sanofi SANOFI MATURE IP |
Hong Kong King-Friend Industrial Company Ltd. | 10583110 10716777 |
2:20-cv-16456 | Filed | Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | FCB I, LLC | 7608605 7608608 8178518 7320968 7608609 7608610 7935690 8063029 7608607 7608606 |
2:20-cv-03135 | Filed | Wilco Marsh Buggies and Draglines Inc | Weeks Marine | 6918801 |
2:20-cv-05815 | Filed | Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation | J. MORITA MFG. CORP. | 6118842 6289074 7347622 7486759 8300762 |
6:20-cv-01066 | Filed | Aeritas, LLC [poss. RBC Global Asset Management] | Burger king Corp. | 9390435 10362160 9888107 8055285 7706819 |
1:20-cv-01417 | Filed | Jagadeshwar Reddy Nomula | Andrei Iancu | |
2:20-cv-10641 | Filed | Emart International, Inc. | Shenzen Maitewei Investment and Development Co., Ltd. | D881980 |
1:20-cv-01565 | Filed | Aperture Net LLC [IP Edge] | Barco | 6711204 |
3:20-cv-03466 | Filed | Remote Concepts, LLC | Vonage Holdings Corp. | 7016942 |
4:20-cv-03966 | Filed | US Synthetic Corp. | Shenzhen Haimingrun Superhard Materials Co., Ltd. | 10508502 10507565 8616306 |
6:20-cv-01070 | Filed | Aperture Net LLC [IP Edge] | Black Box Corp. | 6711204 |
6:20-cv-01071 | Filed | Panther Innovations, LLC [Jon Rowan entities] | Microsoft | 7840652 8069231 |
6:20-cv-01074 | Filed | Paitrix Co. Ltd. | WIPS Co., Ltd. | 8922804 |
Join the Discussion
3 comments so far.
Josh Malone
November 30, 2020 09:16 pmThat’s what indemnification is for. Google, Microsoft, Xerox, etc require their suppliers to defend them against claims of infringement. But they refuse to defend their own customers.
Jonathan Stroud
November 30, 2020 04:14 pmYou’ve got it backward—patent law is a strict liability offense that applies equally to those who make, to those who sell, and to those who use, regardless of whose product it is. See 35 USC 271 (“whoever without authority makes, uses, offers to sell, or sells any patented invention … infringes the patent.”). If I use or sell a Bunch-O-Balloons product I’m as liable as the manufacturer is, it’s just much smaller in terms of how much anyone can recover. If parties decide to contract to protect each other that’s up to them. But if they do so it’s assuming a liability, not passing one on.
Josh Malone
November 30, 2020 12:08 pmThe Jack Henry case raises an interesting issue. Big corporations require their suppliers like Jack Henry Associates to provide indemnification. Yet these same corporation refuse to indemnify their own customers. For instance, Austin Meyer of X-plane fame was forced to defend himself for using the Android app store. Why didn’t Google defend him? Likewise, why didn’t Xerox defend their customers in the MPHJ scan-to-email patent assertions? Corporations are gaming the system by passing on their liabilities to small businesses. It is sad to see these small business owners tricked into pushing the agenda of their corporate abusers.