Patent Filings Roundup: Litigation Funding WAGs the Dog; Funded Western District Semiconductor Campaign Sees IPRs Filed

Numbers were relatively stable last week, with the district courts seeing 57 new patent filings and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) seeing 25 petitions (two post grant reviews [PGRs] and 23 inter partes reviews [IPRs]). A big chunk of the PTAB action was against Ocean Semiconductor LLC by Applied Materials, Inc., who filed five against the litigation financed entity (Fullbrite Capital Partners, LLC), and six filed by Lumenis Ltd. against BTL Healthcare Technologies A.S in an apparent litigation-free freedom-to-operate action. Bank of America filed a few challenges against NantWorks; Rothschild subsidiaries filed a number of district court complaints; and two IPRs were filed and instituted against the IPValue Management, LLC-run Monterey Research semiconductor suit—one by Qualcomm, one by STMicroelectronics; and ditto for two by Freeman Capital Partners-run FG SRC LLC—one by Xilinx and one by Intel and Xilinx.

Litigation Funding WAGs the Dog: Litigation-funded vehicle WAG Acquisitions [Woodsford Litigation Funding Ltd.], after more than 20 suits against small and medium-sized companies, has finally broken through to sue the tech giants, going after Amazon.com, Inc. and Google LLC/YouTube, Inc. The portfolio has undergone a fair number of earlier challenges of mixed success; the current suit alleges infringement of three patents: U.S. 9,762,636, 9,742,824, and 9,729,594. The patents relate to fast-startup of streaming services, and now are wholly owned by WAG Acquisitions.

Boil the Ocean Semiconductor: Litigation-funded Ocean Semiconductor, backed by Fullbrite Capital Partners, was hit with five IPRs against the asserted patents by Applied Materials, Inc., in addition to the two pending from Western Digital. Ocean has brought ten complaints against semiconductor companies including Analog Devices, Infineon, NVIDIA, MediaTek, Silicon Laboratories, STMicroelectronics, NXP, and Western Digital, all in the Waco Division of the Western District of Texas on New Year’s Eve of 2020; presumably Applied Materials is indemnifying at least some of the defendants.

PTAB (25)

Case Number	Action	Owner	Petitioner	Patent
PGR2021-00107	Filed	White Swell Medical Ltd.	Abiomed, Inc.	10926069
IPR2021-01340	Filed	Ocean Semiconductor LLC [Fullbrite Capital Partners, LLC]	Applied Materials, Inc.	6725402
IPR2021-01275	Filed	BTL Healthcare Technologies A.S.	Lumenis Ltd.	10632321
IPR2021-01354	Filed	Sonrai Memory Limited [Atlantic IP, Magentar Capital]	Kioxia Corporation Western Digital Technologies, Inc Kioxia America, Inc Dell Technologies Inc.	7436232
IPR2021-01283	Filed	BTL Healthcare Technologies A.S.	Lumenis Ltd.	10695575
IPR2021-01344	Filed	Ocean Semiconductor LLC [Fullbrite Capital Partners, LLC]	Applied Materials, Inc.	6907305
IPR2021-01284	Filed	BTL Healthcare Technologies A.S.	Lumenis Ltd.	10709895
IPR2021-01361	Filed	Alexander Soto and Walter Soto	II-VI Incorporated	10771181
IPR2021-01358	Filed	NextGen Innovations, LLC	II-VI Incorporated	9887795
IPR2021-01341	Filed	Safe Driving Technologies LLC [IP Holdings LLC, General Patent Corporation (GPC)]	Ford Motor Company	9713994
IPR2021-01332	Filed	Nant Holdings IP LLC [NantWorks, LLC]	Bank of America, N.A.	9324004
IPR2021-01334	Filed	Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited [Broadcom]	Netflix, Inc.	10911938
IPR2021-01276	Filed	BTL Healthcare Technologies A.S.	Lumenis Ltd.	10695575
PGR2021-00108	Filed	Centripetal Networks Inc.	Palo Alto Networks, Inc.	10931797
IPR2021-01279	Filed	BTL Healthcare Technologies A.S.	Lumenis Ltd.	10709895
IPR2021-01359	Filed	Alexander Soto and Walter Soto	II-VI Incorporated	10263723
IPR2021-01356	Filed	Smart Path Connections, LLC [Corrigent, poss. Correct Transmissions, LLC]	Juniper Networks, Inc.	7697525
IPR2021-01333	Filed	Nant Holdings IP, LLC [NantWorks, LLC]	Bank of America, N.A.	7899252
IPR2021-01355	Filed	Ubiquitous Connectivity, LP [Nomad Connections]	Resideo Technologies, Inc. Central Security Group Nationwide, Inc.	10394999
IPR2021-01348	Filed	Ocean Semiconductor LLC [Fullbrite Capital Partners, LLC]	Applied Materials, Inc.	6836691
IPR2021-01342	Filed	Ocean Semiconductor LLC [Fullbrite Capital Partners, LLC]	Applied Materials, Inc.	6968248
IPR2021-01339	Filed	Ocean Semiconductor LLC [Fullbrite Capital Partners, LLC]	Applied Materials, Inc.	8676538
IPR2021-01374	Filed	Vivint Inc. [Vivint Smart Home, LLC]	ADT LLC	7956739
IPR2021-01282	Filed	BTL Healthcare Technologies A.S.	Lumenis Ltd.	10632321
IPR2021-01353	Filed	Safe Driving Technologies LLC [IP Holdings LLC, General Patent Corporation (GPC)]	Ford Motor Company	10532709
IPR2021-00502	Not Instituted – Merits	NavBlazer, LLC [Raymond Anthony Joao]	Google LLC	9075136
IPR2021-00478	Not Instituted – Merits	U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC [Altria Client Services LLC]	R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company Modoral Brands, Inc.	8458996
IPR2021-00480	Not Instituted – Merits	NYZ AB WM17 Holding Gmbh	Kretek International., Inc. Dryft Sciences LLC Modoral Brands, Inc	9161908
PGR2021-00045	Not Instituted – Merits	Lashify, Inc.	Kiss Nail Products, Inc.	10660388
IPR2021-00548	Not Instituted – Merits	FIPA Frohwitter Intellectual Property AG IPCOM, Gmbh & Co. KG	Nokia of America Corporation Ericsson, Inc.	7778310
IPR2021-00457	Not Instituted – Merits	Jens H.S. Nygaard	Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, Ltd Daimler AG	7494178
IPR2021-00477	Not Instituted – Merits	U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC [Altria Client Services LLC]	R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company Modoral Brands, Inc	7798319
PGR2021-00038	Not Instituted – Merits	AutoStore Technology AS	Ocado Group PLC	10696478
PGR2021-00044	Not Instituted – Merits	Little Giant Ladder Systems, LLC [Wing Enterprises Inc.]	Tricam Industries, Inc.	10767416
IPR2021-00494	Instituted	Fitbit, Inc. [Google LLC]	Koninklijke Philips NV Philips North America LLC	7145462
IPR2021-00503	Instituted	NavBlazer, LLC [Raymond Anthony Joao]	Google LLC	9075136
IPR2020-01491	Instituted	Monterey Research, LLC [IPValue Management, LLC]	Qualcomm Incorporated STMicroelectronics, Inc.	6534805
IPR2021-00467	Instituted	Reigstad & Associates, Inc	Metromont Corporation	10337196
IPR2020-00921	Instituted	RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc. [British American Tobacco PLC]	Philip Morris Products, S.A.	9814268
IPR2021-00466	Instituted	Gates Corporation Gtech Corporation	Continental AG ContiTech AG ContiTech North America, Inc. ContiTech USA, Inc. ContiTech Antriebssysteme GmbH	7254934
IPR2021-00704	Instituted	Monterey Research, LLC [IPValue Management, LLC]	STMicroelectronics, Inc.	6534805
PGR2021-00043	Instituted	PowerTec Solutions International, LLC	Precision Power, LLC	10637264
PGR2021-00049	Instituted	FMC Technologies, Inc. [Technip FMC]	Dril-Quip, Inc.	10689921
IPR2020-01449	Instituted	FG SRC LLC [Freeman Capital Partners]	Intel Corporation Xilinx, Inc	7149867
IPR2021-00453	Instituted	Omni Medsci, Inc.	Apple, Inc	10517484
IPR2020-01133	Instituted	HandyLab, Inc	NeuMoDx Molecular, Inc.	8415103
IPR2021-00489	Instituted	Willis Electric Co., Ltd.	Polygroup Services N.A., Inc	9671097
IPR2021-00633	Instituted	FG SRC LLC [Freeman Capital Partners]	Xilinx, Inc	7149867
PGR2021-00047	Instituted	Crystal Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. BERGEN PHARMACEUTICAL, LLC	Eisai Inc,	10759779
IPR2019-01444	Final Written Decision	Novoluto GmbH	EIS Gmbh	9763851
IPR2020-00505	Final Written Decision	Dynamics Inc.	Samsung Samsung Research America, Inc. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Samsung Electronics America, Inc.	10255545
IPR2020-00534	Final Written Decision	GM Global Technology Operations LLC	LKQ Corporation Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc.	D797625
IPR2019-01397	Final Written Decision	Nektar Therapeutics, Inc.	NOF Corporation	9187569
IPR2016-01198	Procedural Termination	Voip-Pal.com, Inc.	Apple, Inc	9179005

District Court (57)

Case Number	Action	Plaintiff	Defendant	Patent
5:21-cv-05975	Filed	Rothschild Broadcast Distribution Systems, LLC [Patent Asset Management LLC, Leigh Rothschild]	Cyberlink.com Corp.	8856221
1:21-cv-06533	Filed	Medicom Group Inc AMD Medicom Inc.	Young Innovations, Inc. Astek Innovations, Limited	9173725 8517732
2:21-cv-00296	Filed	Blitzsafe Texas, LLC [Ira Marlowe, Marlowe Patent Holdings Ltd.]	Harman Becker Automotive Systems Gmbh	7489786 8155342
1:21-cv-01126	Filed	TwinStrand Biosciences, Inc. University of Washington	Guardant Health, Inc.	10689699 10752951 10760127 10287631
1:21-mc-22806	Filed	United Timber Corp.	Liquidia Technologies, Inc.
6:21-cv-00804	Filed	SWM International, LLC	DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH DynaEnergetics US, Inc.	11078762
6:21-cv-00807	Filed	GreatGigz Solutions, LLC [Raymond Anthony Joao]	Costco Wholesale	7490086 6662194 10096000 9760864
2:21-cv-00299	Filed	Tiare Tech., Inc.	American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.	8682729 10157414
5:21-cv-06059	Filed	Apple	Traxcell Technologies LLC	10820147
6:21-cv-00809	Filed	GreatGigz Solutions, LLC [Raymond Anthony Joao]	Walgreen Co.	7490086 6662194 10096000 9760864
1:21-cv-00897	Filed	William G. Sykes	Nash Distribution, Inc.	D739692
5:21-cv-06093	Filed	Digital Verification Systems, LLC [Patent Asset Management LLC, Leigh Rothschild]	Apptivo, Inc.	9054860
4:21-cv-00930	Filed	Scanning Technologies Innovations, LLC [Patent Asset Management LLC, Leigh Rothschild]	Crimson Solutions, LLC	10600101
6:21-cv-00811	Filed	SynKloud Technologies, LLC [Ideahub, LLC] Serendia, LLC	Sung Hwan E&B Co., Ltd.	9480836 10869812 9320536 10058379
1:21-cv-11252	Filed	Geographic Location Innovations, LLC [Patent Asset Management LLC, Leigh Rothschild]	Crme de la Crme Imports, LLC	7917285
6:21-cv-00803	Filed	Cellspin Soft, Inc.	Nike	8892752 8738794 9749847
4:21-cv-00614	Filed	Intelligent Automation Design, LLC	OsteoMed, L.P.	7091683
2:21-cv-00303	Filed	Tiare Tech., Inc.	Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.	8682729 10157414
6:21-cv-00816	Filed	WAG Acquisition, LLC [Woodsford Litigation Funding Ltd.]	Google LLC YouTube, Inc.	9762636 9742824 9729594
2:21-cv-06239	Filed	Rothschild Broadcast Distribution Systems, LLC [Patent Asset Management LLC, Leigh Rothschild]	Mobi Technologies	8856221
2:21-cv-00294	Filed	Blitzsafe Texas, LLC [Ira Marlowe, Marlowe Patent Holdings Ltd.]	Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings, PLC	7489786 8155342
2:21-cv-00297	Filed	M-Red Inc. [Quest Patent Research Corp.]	OnePlus Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.	6853259 6628171 7209401 6177843 7068557
6:21-cv-00798	Filed	GreatGigz Solutions, LLC [Raymond Anthony Joao]	Walmart, Inc.	7490086 6662194 10096000 9760864
6:21-cv-00801	Filed	Lupercal LLC [IPValuation Partners, LLC]	Regions Financial Corporation	9386094
1:21-cv-04167	Filed	Pure Edge Lighting LLC	Fabbian S.R.L.	9033541
2:21-cv-14595	Filed	Social Positioning Input Systems, LLC [Patent Asset Management LLC, Leigh Rothschild]	Labor Sync, LLC	9261365
1:21-cv-02112	Filed	Koroyd Sarl Smith Sport Optics	The Burton Corp.	10736373
1:21-cv-02117	Filed	Extremity Medical, LLC	Paragon 28, Inc.	10751097
6:21-cv-00806	Filed	Ward Participations B.V.	Samsung Group	10992480 11063766
6:21-cv-00808	Filed	GreatGigz Solutions, LLC [Raymond Anthony Joao]	CVS Health Corp	7490086 6662194 10096000 9760864
2:21-cv-00301	Filed	Tiare Tech., Inc.	Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.	8682729 10157414
3:21-cv-14622	Filed	Pharma Mar, S.A. Janssen Products, L.P.	MSN LABORATORIES PVT., LTD. MSN Pharmaceuticals Inc.	8895557 7420051
5:21-cv-01328	Filed	Gene Pool Technologies, Inc.	Coastal Harvest, LLC	9144751 9587203 9145532
4:21-cv-00988	Filed	Display Technologies, LLC [Patent Asset Management LLC, Leigh Rothschild]	Greater Goods, LLC	9300723
3:21-cv-01495	Filed	First 2 Market Products, LLC Dae Sung Hi Tech Co., Ltd.	Mary Shepherd dba D&M Sales	7503696
2:21-cv-00293	Filed	Blitzsafe Texas, LLC [Ira Marlowe, Marlowe Patent Holdings Ltd.]	Alpine Electronics, Inc. Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.	7489786 8155342
3:21-cv-01393	Filed	ShenZhen JingPinCheng Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.	Bliss Holdiings, LLC Blisslights, Inc. Blisslights, LLC John Doe	8057045 78057045
6:21-cv-00797	Filed	Altpass LLC [Alexander Dobrescu & associated entities Browse3D, LLC, Pixel Display LLC, Remote Concepts LLC, GroupLink LLC]	Google LLC	7725725 7350078 8429415
1:21-cv-00892	Filed	Gilbert P. Hyatt	Andrew Hirshfeld
1:21-cv-04143	Filed	Levitation Arts, Inc.	Asian Trendwares, Inc. dba Atrend	7505243
1:21-cv-01129	Filed	Hindi R. Zeidman	Freshly Picked, LLC	RE48330
1:21-cv-01130	Filed	Duchesnay, Inc. QuatRx Pharmaceuticals Company Shionogi	Hetero Labs, Ltd. Hetero Drugs Hetero USA, Inc.	8236861 6245819
1:21-cv-01138	Filed	Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Jazz Pharms. Ireland Ltd.	Avadel CNS Pharmaceuticals, LLC Avadel Specialty Pharmaceuticals, LLC Avadel Legacy Pharmaceuticals, LLC Avadel Pharmaceuticals PLC Avadel US Holdings, Inc. et al.	11077079
1:21-cv-01141	Filed	Astellas Pharma	Apotex Apotex, Inc.	10842780
2:21-cv-03502	Filed	Display Technologies, LLC [Patent Asset Management LLC, Leigh Rothschild]	Olympus, Corp.	9300723
2:21-cv-00451	Filed	William G. Sykes	Nash Distribution, Inc.	D739692
4:21-cv-00622	Filed	5G IP Holdings LLC [IP Valuation Partners, LLC]	Samsung Group	10624150 10813163 10868649
2:21-cv-04423	Filed	SynKloud Technologies, LLC [IdeaHub, LLC] Serendia, LLC	Cartessa Aesthetics, LLC	9480836 10869812 9320536 10058379
1:21-cv-01154	Filed	Gene Pool Technologies, Inc.	ANM, Inc.	9145532 9144751 9587203 9757664 9604155
5:21-cv-03502	Filed	Display Technologies, LLC [Patent Asset Management LLC, Leigh Rothschild]	Olympus, Corp.	9300723
2:21-cv-00295	Filed	Blitzsafe Texas, LLC [Ira Marlowe, Marlowe Patent Holdings Ltd.]	Harley-Davidson, Inc.	7489786 8155342
6:21-cv-00799	Filed	Altpass LLC [Alexander Dobrescu & associated entities Browse3D, LLC, Pixel Display LLC, Remote Concepts LLC, GroupLink LLC]	Microsoft	7725725 7350078 8429415
1:21-cv-14595	Filed	Social Positioning Input Systems, LLC [Patent Asset Management LLC, Leigh Rothschild]	Labor Sync, LLC	9261365
6:21-cv-00805	Filed	Altpass LLC [Alexander Dobrescu & associated entities Browse3D, LLC, Pixel Display LLC, Remote Concepts LLC, GroupLink LLC]	Apple	7725725 7350078 8429415
2:21-cv-00302	Filed	Tiare Tech., Inc.	Belk, Inc.	8682729 10157414
3:21-cv-01841	Filed	Battery Conservation Innovations, Inc. [Patent Asset Management, Leigh Rothschild]	The Swatch Group (U.S.), Inc.	9239158
6:21-cv-00815	Filed	WAG Acquisition, LLC [Woodsford Litigation Funding Ltd.]	Amazon.com, Inc. Amazon Amazon.com Services LLC	9762636 9742824 9729594

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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 [...see more]

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