May brought a notable wave of cases targeting retailers and their supply chains, with NPE activity continuing at a steady pace. Frequent filers and themes this month included Nearby Systems (mapping technology), SmartOrder (restaurant/retail ordering systems), and Innercap Technologies (capsule
Retail Patent Litigation
News & Updates on Retail Patent Litigation
Retail Patent Litigation, authored by R. David Donoghue, focuses on patent litigation trends and developments affecting the retail sector and its supply chain. The blog reports on new patent infringement cases, particularly those involving non-practicing entities (NPEs) targeting retailers and related businesses. It covers litigation strategies, key court decisions, and patent portfolios relevant to retail technologies such as inventory management, marketing systems, e-commerce platforms, and product display innovations. The blog also highlights notable plaintiffs, defendants, and judicial rulings in district courts, providing a resource for tracking ongoing patent disputes in the retail industry.
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Latest from Retail Patent Litigation
APRIL 2026 RETAIL PATENT LITIGATION REPORT
April was an active month for patent filings against retailers and consumer-facing businesses. NPE activity remained brisk, with frequent filers Patent Armory and Rabicoff Law-affiliated entities continuing to generate volume across multiple districts. Notably, Sport Squad (JOOLA) launched an aggressive…
MARCH 2026 RETAIL PATENT LITIGATION REPORT
NPEs continued their aggressive filing pace in March 2026, with several familiar names making repeat appearances. Activemap LLC led the charge with a dozen retailer defendants in a single filing wave in the Eastern District of Texas, while Induction Devices…
FEBRUARY 2026 RETAIL PATENT LITIGATION REPORT
NPEs remained active in February, with several cases targeting major retailers and their supply chains. Frequent filers included VDPP, AML IP, Andra Group, Piney Woods Mobility, Portus Singapore, DataCloud Technologies, and Calibrate Networks, among others.
As usual, I prepared the…
JANUARY 2026 RETAIL PATENT LITIGATION REPORT
NPEs and patent holders continued targeting major retailers in January. Frequent filers included Patent Armory, Wolverine Barcode IP, Content Aware, Intellectual Ventures, VDPP, and Cedar Lane Technologies. Retailers across the spectrum—from big-box to specialty—found themselves named as defendants in infringement…
DECEMBER 2025 RETAIL PATENT LITIGATION REPORT
The holiday season brought a flurry of patent litigation activity targeting retailers, with particular focus on e-commerce platforms, payment systems, and retail technology. Frequent filers included Alpha Modus, Near Field Electronics, VDPP LLC, and Cedar Lane Technologies, along with continued…
NOVEMBER 2025 RETAIL PATENT LITIGATION REPORT
Retail patent litigation activity quieted a bit in November, although several frequent filers continued their campaigns against retailers and their supply chains. Notable activity included cases from Alpha Modus targeting major retail operations and VDPP’s continued assertion of 3D display…
OCTOBER 2025 RETAIL PATENT LITIGATION REPORT
NPE activity targeting retailers remained steady in October 2025, with several frequent filers continuing their campaigns. Notable plaintiffs included Alpha Modus, Nearby Systems, VDPP, Wolverine Barcode IP, and various entities represented by Rabicoff Law.
As usual, I prepared the report…
SEPTEMBER 2025 RETAIL PATENT LITIGATION REPORT
NPEs were very active in September with numerous cases filed against retailers. Notable plaintiffs included Alpha Modus, Headwater Research, Cedar Lane Technologies, VDPP, and Random Chat.
As usual, I prepared the report in partnership with and using Docket Navigator and…
AUGUST 2025 RETAIL PATENT LITIGATION REPORT
NPEs had a busy August, targeting numerous retailers across multiple jurisdictions. Key plaintiffs included Near Field Electronics, Induction Devices, and Patent Armory.
As usual, I prepared the report in partnership with and using Docket Navigator and its powerful database. Docket…