Filed on May 13, 2024, Communication Interface Technologies, LLC (CIT) has initiated a patent lawsuit against GameStop, Inc. This legal action involves the alleged infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,574,239 B1, titled "Virtual Connection of a Remote Unit to a Server."

About the Patent:

• Patent Number: US-6574239-B1
• Filed Date: June 3, 2003
• Inventors: Anastasi Mark Nicholas and Dowling Eric Morgan
• Original Assignee: Internet Communications Solutions LLC
• Current Assignees: Communication Interface Technologies LLC and Aido Mobility Solutions LLC

The patent describes a system and method for maintaining a virtual connection between a mobile worker and a server without requiring continuous physical connectivity. This technology is particularly beneficial for mobile and telecommuting scenarios, such as home-care professionals who need intermittent server access without the hassle of frequent log-ons. The invention allows application sessions to pause and resume over a wireline telephone communication channel, prioritizing voice calls without losing connection integrity. It uses parameters stored from an initial communication session to expedite reconnection, reducing setup delay times for subsequent connections and supporting virtual presence without continuous connectivity. The patent's publication status expired on October 7, 2018, but litigation regarding it continues.

Other Companies Sued by Communication Interface Technologies, LLC:

Pending Litigation:

1. Lego System A/S
   • Case No.: 4:23-cv-00142-SDJ
   • Court: Eastern District of Texas
2. The American Automobile Association, Inc.
   • Case No.: 4:23-cv-00494
   • Court: Eastern District of Texas
3. AT&T Inc.
   • Case No.: 4:23-cv-00495
   • Court: Eastern District of Texas
4. Honeywell International Inc.
   • Case No.: 4:23-cv-00497
   • Court: Eastern District of Texas
5. H&R Block Inc.
   • Case No.: 4:23-cv-00496
   • Court: Eastern District of Texas
6. Keller Williams Realty Inc.
   • Case No.: 4:23-cv-00498
   • Court: Eastern District of Texas

Prior Litigation:

• Toshiba America, Inc., et al.
  • Case Nos.: 2-04-CV-00108, 2-03-CV-00465
  • Court: Eastern District of Texas
  • Status: Settled before any claim construction hearings were conducted
• Central District of California (Six cases)
  • Patents: ’239, ’296, ’010
  • Status: All dismissed
• Eastern District of Texas (Multiple cases)
  • Defendants include: PepsiCo., Rent-A-Center, Texas Instruments, Yum! Brands, FedEx, Cinemark Holdings, Capital One Financial, American Messaging Services, Farmers Group, JPMorgan Chase, TD Ameritrade, UPS, Albertson’s, Aldi, The Allstate Corporation, Tractor Supply, McDonald’s, Foot Locker, 7-Eleven, Teachers Insurance, Applebee’s, Choice Hotels, PNC Financial, International Dairy Queen
  • Status: All dismissed

TLDR:

The Complaint for Patent Infringement filed by CIT against GameStop, Inc. was lodged in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division. The lawsuit involves the following key points:

• Nature of the Action: Patent infringement under U.S. patent laws (35 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.).
• Plaintiff: Communication Interface Technologies, LLC (CIT), based in Atlantic City, NJ.
• Defendant: GameStop, Inc., headquartered in Grapevine, TX.
• Jurisdiction and Venue: The court has subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a). Venue is proper as GameStop has committed acts of infringement in this district.
• Patents in Suit: CIT asserts infringement of three patents:
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,574,239 ("the '239 patent")
  • U.S. Patent No. 8,266,296 ("the '296 patent")
  • U.S. Patent No. 8,291,010 ("the '010 patent")
• Claims of Infringement: CIT claims GameStop infringed these patents through its mobile application (GameStop App) by making, using, selling, and offering to sell products incorporating the patented technology. Detailed claim charts explain how the app infringes specific claims of the patents.
• Pending and Prior Litigation: CIT is asserting these patents in several other cases in the Eastern District of Texas and has previously litigated them in other districts.
• Relief Sought: CIT seeks damages, including interest, costs, expenses, and an accounting of all infringing acts. CIT also requests a declaration of the case being exceptional under 35 U.S.C. § 285, warranting reasonable attorneys' fees, and demands a trial by jury on all claims.