After last week’s spike in complaints, things returned to steady-state this week, with plaintiffs filing 58 complaints and patent challengers filings 26 petitions (one post grant review [PGR] and 25 inter partes reviews [IPRs]). There were four denials under Fintiv at the Board, all related to upcoming trial dates and a stipulation the Board found fault with in Cisco Systems v. Estech. A surprising number of challenges against semiconductor-related patents being asserted by NPEs (most with litigation funding backing, such as by Starboard Value, Vector Capital, and Cambridge Partners) were instituted this week, perennial filers K.Mizra and Blue Spike had new complaints, Coinbase filed a declaratory judgment against frequent filer and NPE Modern Font Applications, and there were a number of pharmaceutical litigations initiated that bear scrutiny.
S3G Technology LLC Targets Cracker Barrel, Whataburger, Hobby Lobby on Software Update Patents: Serial litigant S3G Technology LLC has been asserting a small family of patents related to pushing software updates to connected devices against retailers since 2015. They have asserted against Whataburger, Chick-Fil-A, Keller Williams Realtors, Hobby Lobby, Vrbo, and now Cracker Barrel, among others. The complaints allege infringement based on software updates to generic apps on mobile server devices and customer devices at the restaurants, among other things.
Sprawling Cirba/VMWare Dispute Heads (in small part) to Board: Earlier this year in Cirba, Inc. (DBA Densify) and Cirba IP v. VMWare (D. Del. 2020), competitor Cirba brought VMWare to trial on two patents: 8,209,687 (the ‘687 patent) and 9,654,367 (the ‘367 patent), and awarded damages on one to the tune of $235 million. (Originally filed in Virginia, the case was transferred to Delaware and went to trial earlier this year.) VMWare filed a DJ complaint cross-asserting four patents before Judge Stark—originally before Judge Norieka—and there Cirba again counterclaimed with additional patents, including 10,523,492 (the ‘492 patent’). VMWare challenged that patent, the ‘492 patent, with a 12(c) motion on 101, which he folded into one of his en banc “101 days”, which was denied from the bench for failing to meet step 1 of the Alice analysis. Back in the original case around the same time, on the ’687 and ’367, the case proceeded and the jury awarded the judgment, just on the ’367; but in post-trial JMOL Judge Stark ruled that the plaintiff didn’t have standing in the first instance, as detailed by Professor Dennis Crouch here. The cases are now (apparently) consolidated for the second (new) trial and are ongoing. VMWare took the pause to file three challenges, two IPRs and a PGR, on the recently issued 10,951,459 Cirba patent, of similar scope and vintage. While the trial is ongoing, the standing dismissal of the judgment has been mandamused to the Federal Circuit in the interim. It will be interesting to see what the Board does with a PGR and two IPRs under their discretion.
Pilot Light Car Charger Patent Challenged: Pilot Automotive, a leader in aftermarket car parts, has been relatively pugnacious defending its market share in car battery jumpstarters over the past three years, suing at least nine competitors on a small patent portfolio of related patents, settling with them, and then moving on to the next. The most recent defendant punched back, challenging the most recently issued patent, U.S. 10,328,806. The circuitry described is relatively basic, but obviously Pilot has been using the portfolio to some effect in the market. The IPR is IPR2021-01235.
PTAB (26)
|
Case Number |
Action |
Owner |
Petitioner |
Patent |
PGR2021-00098 |
Filed |
Cibra IP Inc. |
VMware, Inc |
10951459 |
IPR2021-01250 |
Filed |
University of British Columbia |
Berkeley Lights, Inc. |
10421936 |
IPR2021-01168 |
Filed |
MAG?M? TECHNOLOGY LLC |
PHILLIPS 66 |
10308884 |
IPR2021-01242 |
Filed |
Securityprofiling Inc [SecurityProfiling, LLC] |
Cisco Systems, Inc. |
9100431 |
IPR2021-01236 |
Filed |
Cupp Computing AS |
Trend Micro, Inc. |
10951632 |
IPR2021-01235 |
Filed |
Pilot, Inc. |
The Noco Company, Inc. |
10328806 |
IPR2021-01248 |
Filed |
PNC Bank Na |
United Services Automobile Association |
7949788 |
IPR2021-01228 |
Filed |
Express Mobile, Inc. |
Adobe Inc. |
9063755 |
IPR2021-01245 |
Filed |
Cornell Research Foundation, Inc. |
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. |
7003343 |
IPR2021-01237 |
Filed |
Cupp Computing AS |
Trend Micro, Inc. |
10951632 |
IPR2021-01229 |
Filed |
VLSI Technology LLC [Fortress IP] |
Patent Quality Assurance, LLC |
7523373 |
IPR2021-01249 |
Filed |
University of British Columbia |
Berkeley Lights, Inc. |
10087408 |
IPR2021-01224 |
Filed |
Express Mobile, Inc. |
Facebook, Inc. |
6546397 |
IPR2021-01070 |
Filed |
United Services Automobile Association |
PNC Bank, N.A. |
8699779 |
IPR2021-01199 |
Filed |
Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc |
Atrium Medical Corporation |
7785302 |
IPR2021-01220 |
Filed |
Power2B Inc |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. |
8610675 |
IPR2021-01226 |
Filed |
Express Mobile, Inc. |
Facebook, Inc. |
7594168 |
IPR2021-01227 |
Filed |
Express Mobile, Inc. |
Adobe Inc. |
9471287 |
IPR2021-01239 |
Filed |
Power2B Inc. |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. |
8624850 |
IPR2021-01211 |
Filed |
Cirba IP Inc. |
VMware, Inc |
10951459 |
IPR2021-01073 |
Filed |
United Services Automobile Association |
PNC Bank, N.A. |
8977571 |
IPR2021-01155 |
Filed |
Centripetal Networks Inc. |
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. |
10567343 |
IPR2021-01153 |
Filed |
Centripetal Networks Inc. |
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. |
10567437 |
IPR2021-01154 |
Filed |
Centripetal Networks Inc. |
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. |
10785266 |
IPR2021-01210 |
Filed |
Cirba IP Inc. |
VMware, Inc |
10951459 |
IPR2021-01225 |
Filed |
Express Mobile, Inc. |
Adobe Inc. |
9928044 |
IPR2021-00395 |
Not Instituted – Merits |
Fundamental Innovation Systems International LLC [Cambridge Partners, Fundamental Innovation Systems International Holdings, LLC] |
TCT Mobile US Inc.
TCT Mobile US Holdings Inc.
Huizhou TCL Mobile Communication Co. Ltd.
TCL Communication, Inc. |
7239111 |
IPR2021-00428 |
Not Instituted – Merits |
Fundamental Innovation Systems International LLC [Cambridge Partners, Fundamental Innovation Systems International Holdings, LLC] |
TCT Mobile US Inc.
TCT Mobile US Holdings Inc.
Huizhou TCL Mobile Communication Co. Ltd.
TCL Communication, Inc. |
8624550 |
IPR2021-00373 |
Not Instituted – Merits |
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
Keter Plastic Ltd. |
Jiangsu Sainty Sumex Tools Corp. Ltd. |
10583962 |
IPR2021-00262 |
Not Instituted – Procedural |
Universal Electronics, Inc. |
Roku, Inc. |
7969514 |
IPR2021-00329 |
Not Instituted – Procedural |
Estech Systems, Inc. |
Cisco Systems, Inc. |
8391298 |
IPR2021-00333 |
Not Instituted – Procedural |
Estech Systems, Inc. |
Cisco Systems, Inc. |
7123699 |
IPR2021-00332 |
Not Instituted – Procedural |
Estech Systems, Inc. |
Cisco Systems, Inc. |
6067349 |
IPR2021-00331 |
Not Instituted – Procedural |
Estech Systems, Inc. |
Cisco Systems, Inc. |
7068684 |
PGR2021-00034 |
Not Instituted – Procedural |
Gree, Inc. |
Supercell OY |
10610771 |
IPR2021-00342 |
Instituted |
Icon Health and Fitness Inc
ICON IP, Inc.,
ICON Health & Fitness, Inc. |
Peloton Interactive, Inc. |
7166062 |
IPR2021-00356 |
Instituted |
Monterey Research, LLC [Vector Capital Corp.] |
STMicroelectronics, Inc. |
6534805 |
IPR2021-00343 |
Instituted |
Unification Technologies LLC [Acacia Technologies, Starboard Value] |
Micron Technology, Inc.
Micron Semiconductor Products, Inc.
Micron Technology Texas LLC
Dell Technologies Inc.
Dell, Inc. |
8533406 |
IPR2020-00985 |
Instituted |
Monterey Research, LLC [Vector Capital Corp.] |
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. |
6651134 |
IPR2021-00327 |
Instituted |
Koninklijke Philips NV |
Intel Corporation |
9436809 |
IPR2021-00357 |
Instituted |
Green Products and Technologies, LLC |
Fluid Energy Group Ltd. |
7938912 |
IPR2021-00371 |
Instituted |
Targus Group International, Inc |
Group III International, Inc.
Everki USA, Inc. |
8567578 |
IPR2021-00355 |
Instituted |
Monterey Research, LLC [Vector Capital Corp.] |
STMicroelectronics, Inc. |
6651134 |
IPR2021-00414 |
Instituted |
Low Temp Industries, Inc. |
Duke Manufacturing Co. |
8661970 |
IPR2021-00413 |
Instituted |
Low Temp Industries, Inc. |
Duke Manufacturing Co. |
8307761 |
IPR2020-00990 |
Instituted |
Monterey Research, LLC [Vector Capital Corp.] |
Advance Micro Devices, Inc
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. |
6534805 |
IPR2021-00370 |
Instituted |
Koninklijke Philips NV |
Intel Corporation |
9436809 |
IPR2021-00344 |
Instituted |
Unification Technologies LLC [Acacia Technologies, Starboard Value] |
Micron Technology, Inc.
Micron Semiconductor Products, Inc.
Micron Technology Texas LLC
Dell Technologies Inc.
Dell, Inc.
et al. |
8762658 |
IPR2021-00261 |
Instituted |
Universal Electronics, Inc. |
Roku, Inc. |
7969514 |
IPR2021-00411 |
Adverse Judgment |
intoPIX SA |
Kakadu R&D Pty Ltd
Kakadu Software Pty Ltd |
9332258 |
IPR2020-01198 |
Adverse Judgment |
P21 Ltd. |
Favored Tech Corporation |
10421876 |
IPR2020-00387 |
Final Written Decision |
Varidesk LLC |
Versa Products |
10159336 |
IPR2020-00441 |
Final Written Decision |
Uniloc 2017 LLC [Fortress IP] |
Google LLC |
8949954 |
IPR2020-00354 |
Final Written Decision |
Autobrilliance, LLC |
Unified Patents, LLC |
6792351 |
|
District Court (58)
|
Case Number |
Action |
Plaintiff |
Defendant |
Patent |
3:21-cv-01221 |
Filed |
Social Positioning Input Systems, LLC [Leigh Rothschild] |
Boomr, Inc. |
9261365 |
1:21-cv-01827 |
Filed |
Onstream Media Corporation |
BombBomb, Inc. |
9467728
9161068
10674109
10038930
10200648
10848707
10674142 |
5:21-cv-01130 |
Filed |
Innovative Imports, Inc. |
5150 whips, Inc. |
D880026
D783191 |
5:21-cv-01135 |
Filed |
Innovative Imports, Inc. |
Cameron Murray |
D880026
D783191 |
4:21-cv-00524 |
Filed |
Anadex Data Communications LLC [Equitable IP] |
Harbor Freight Tools |
7310120 |
2:21-cv-00250 |
Filed |
S3G Technology LLC |
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store |
9940124
10261774
9081897 |
1:21-cv-01001 |
Filed |
Bayer
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
Teva Pharmaceutical |
10828310 |
1:21-cv-01003 |
Filed |
Eli Lilly & Co. |
Radius Health, Inc. |
7517334 |
1:21-cv-02730 |
Filed |
Merrill Manufacturing Co. |
Simmons Manufacturing Company |
D919575 |
2:21-cv-03044 |
Filed |
Wistaria Trading LTD
Blue Spike International Ltd
Blue Spike, LLC [Blue Spike, Inc.] |
Blue Ridge Cable Technologies, Inc.
BLUE RIDGE CABLE TELEVISION, INC.
Blue Ridge Communications, Inc. |
8538011
8224705
7287275
9104842
RE44222
8473746
RE44307
9021602
7159116 |
6:21-cv-00707 |
Filed |
kajeet, Inc. |
ViaSat, Inc. |
8667559 |
6:21-cv-00710 |
Filed |
Liberty Peak Ventures, LLC [Dominion Harbor, LLC] |
CitiBank N.A.
CitiGroup, Inc. |
7953671
8851369
8066181
8794509
9195985 |
3:21-cv-05305 |
Filed |
Coinbase, Inc. |
Modern Font Applications LLC |
8522127
9886421
9892093 |
5:21-cv-05304 |
Filed |
|
Modern Font Applications |
|
1:21-cv-01007 |
Filed |
Fuel Automation Station |
Comanche Gas Solutions, LLC |
10815118
10513426
10494251
10974955 |
5:21-cv-03063 |
Filed |
Wistaria Trading LTD
Blue Spike International Ltd
Blue Spike, LLC [Blue Spike, Inc.] |
SERVICE ELECTRIC CABLEVISION, INC.
SERVICE ELECTRIC CABLE T.V., INC.
SERVICE ELECTRIC COMPANY
Service Electric Television, Inc. |
8538011
8224705
7287275
9104842
8739295
RE44222
7475246
8473746
RE44307
9021602
7159116 |
6:21-cv-00713 |
Filed |
IpVenture, Inc. |
MX3 Diagnostics, Inc. |
8734341 |
6:21-cv-00714 |
Filed |
Emergent Mobile LLC |
Kyocera International, Inc. |
9819506
9198014
9097530 |
2:21-cv-00244 |
Filed |
K.Mizra LLC [Ginegar IP, Charles Jourdan Hausman] |
General Motors |
7394423 |
1:21-cv-00992 |
Filed |
Astellas Pharma |
Alkem Laboratories Limited |
7982049
10842780
7342117
8832474
RE44872 |
2:21-cv-00246 |
Filed |
United Service Automobile Association |
PNC BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION |
10402638
10769598
9224136 |
2:21-cv-13396 |
Filed |
HORIZON MEDICINES LLC |
Torrent Pharmaceuticals |
8318202
8449910
8067033
8067451
8501228
8309127 |
2:21-cv-00247 |
Filed |
K.Mizra LLC [Ginegar IP, Charles Jourdan Hausman] |
Broadcom, Inc. |
8965892 |
5:21-cv-05275 |
Filed |
Verizon Communications
Verizon Business Network Services LLC
Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless |
Voip-Pal.com, Inc. |
8630234
10880721 |
1:21-cv-05862 |
Filed |
Kioba Processing LLC [IP Investments Group] |
TD Bank USA, N.A. |
7107078
6917902
6931382 |
2:21-cv-05609 |
Filed |
STAHLS` Inc. dba GroupeSTAHL |
Toolots, Inc. |
9289960
8418739 |
1:21-cv-01006 |
Filed |
Merck Sharp & Dohme Co., Inc. |
ANNORA PHARMA PRIVATE LIMITED
Hetero USA, Inc. |
7326708 |
3:21-cv-13521 |
Filed |
Patheon Softgels, Inc. |
STRIDES PHARMA GLOBAL PTE LIMITED
STRIDES PHARMA INC. |
9693978
9693979
10022344
10028925 |
3:21-cv-00947 |
Filed |
Winthrop Tackle, LLC |
Carbon Fishing, LLC |
11051500 |
8:21-cv-01666 |
Filed |
Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd. |
Namsung America |
10763392
9024345
10573785
9263658
8323999
10573780
9041032
11027033
10418514
10991851
10868215 |
9:21-cv-81209 |
Filed |
ULC RE Inc. |
Euromarket Designs, Inc. dba Crate and Barrel |
|
1:21-cv-00997 |
Filed |
Bayer
Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc |
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories |
9737488 |
1:21-cv-00998 |
Filed |
Continuous Composites, Inc. |
Markforged, Inc. |
9987798
10759109
10744708
9511543 |
6:21-cv-00704 |
Filed |
kajeet, Inc. |
Infoweise Pty., Ltd. |
8667559 |
6:21-cv-00711 |
Filed |
Liberty Peak Ventures, LLC [Dominion Harbor, LLC] |
CitiBank N.A.
CitiGroup, Inc. |
7431207
6820802
8905301
8584938 |
6:21-cv-00712 |
Filed |
Kortek Industries Pty Ltd. |
Kohler Co |
9590427
10429869
10862313
9465377 |
9:21-cv-81210 |
Filed |
ULC RE Inc. |
Euromarket Designs, Inc. dba Crate and Barrel |
7207622 |
8:21-cv-01155 |
Filed |
Social Positioning Input Systems, LLC [Leigh Rothschild, Patent Asset Management] |
Isharingsoft, Inc. |
9261365 |
4:21-mc-80159 |
Filed |
Garrity Power Services LLC |
Samsung Group |
|
4:21-cv-00523 |
Filed |
Anadex Data Communications LLC [Equitable IP] |
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. |
7310120 |
1:21-cv-03593 |
Filed |
Internet Media Interactive Corp. |
American Medical Association |
6049835 |
3:21-cv-13405 |
Filed |
Winview Inc. |
DraftKings, Inc. |
10721543
9878243 |
2:21-cv-00249 |
Filed |
K.Mizra LLC [Ginegar IP, Charles Jourdan Hausman] |
Fortinet, Inc. |
8965892
9516048
8234705 |
1:21-cv-01000 |
Filed |
Bayer
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
Taro Pharmaceuticals
Taro Pharmaceutical Industries |
10828310 |
3:21-cv-05300 |
Filed |
Triller, Inc. |
Bytedance Ltd
TikTok, Inc.
TikTok Pte. Ltd.
ByteDance Inc. |
9691429 |
3:21-cv-01247 |
Filed |
Wave Neuroscience, Inc. |
Miramar Health Physicians Group, Inc. |
|
4:21-cv-00836 |
Filed |
Yeti Coolers |
Discover Home Products, LLC |
D822997
D859812
D732349
D859815
D862177
9139352
10981716
D801123
D787187
10442599
D859813
D920678
D809869
D808655
D896591
D732348
D732350
9796517
D799905
10046885
D897780
D918570 |
5:21-cv-03044 |
Filed |
Wistaria Trading LTD
Blue Spike International Ltd
Blue Spike, LLC [Blue Spike, Inc.] |
Blue Ridge Cable Technologies, Inc.
BLUE RIDGE CABLE TELEVISION, INC.
Blue Ridge Communications, Inc. |
8538011
8224705
7287275
9104842
RE44222
8473746
RE44307
9021602
7159116 |
8:21-cv-01156 |
Filed |
Social Positioning Input Systems, LLC [Leigh Rothschild] |
Wolf Mobile, Inc. |
9261365 |
3:21-cv-05155 |
Filed |
Geographic Location Innovations, LLC [Leigh Rothschild] |
Health Mart Systems, Inc. |
7917285 |
2:21-cv-11556 |
Filed |
McKeon Products, Inc. |
Akervall Technologies, Inc. |
10945874 |
1:21-cv-01306 |
Filed |
Design Engineering, Inc. |
Thermo-Tec High Performance Automotive, Inc. |
7152633 |
3:21-cv-00181 |
Filed |
Pike Brands LLC |
Eztotz, LLC
Kenneth Edge
Matthew Edge |
RE48520
RE48531 |
3:21-cv-13396 |
Filed |
HORIZON MEDICINES LLC |
Torrent Pharmaceuticals |
8318202
8449910
8067033
8067451
8309127
8501228 |
6:21-cv-00705 |
Filed |
kajeet, Inc. |
Lumen Technologies, Inc. |
8667559 |
2:21-cv-00248 |
Filed |
K.Mizra LLC [Ginegar IP, Charles Jourdan Hausman] |
ForeScout Technologies, Inc. |
9516048
8234705 |
2:21-cv-03842 |
Filed |
BelAir Electronics, Inc. |
velvet caviar group, inc. |
7941195
10097676 |
4:21-cv-00484 |
Filed |
LSP Products Group, Inc. |
Sioux Chief MFG. Co, Inc. |
5983923 |
|
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Jonathan Stroud
Jonathan Stroud is General Counsel at Unified Patents, LLC, where he manages a growing team of talented, diverse attorneys and oversees a docket of administrative challenges, appeals, licensing, pooling, and
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2 comments so far.
Pro Say
July 15, 2021 10:01 amGiven the amount of money at stake, VLSI should hire a PI to investigate — including to see who came and is coming in and out of the law firm’s office. Probably a biz across the street with a camera. With facial recog . . .
The real party behind PQA is obtainable; likely for less than $25k.
Josh Malone
July 14, 2021 03:29 pmPatent Quality Accurance – a newly formed shell company is trying to unwind a $2B patent infringement verdict against Intel. They claim to have no interest in the case. Who is behind this? The ill-conceived America Invents Act invites all sorts of mischief.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/malonejosh_patent-quality-assurance-uradnik-declaration-activity-6819745432428658688-GcLK