In this article, we take a look at the 5 most litigious companies in America. For our detailed analysis on corporate litigation dynamics in the US, go to 12 Most Litigious Companies in America.
5. WSOU Investment LLC
Case filed: 203
WSOU Investments LLC, also known as Brazos Licensing, has emerged as a significant player in the patent enforcement landscape, operating under what is commonly referred to as the “we-sue” model. This strategic framework involves actively pursuing legal action to protect and assert their patent rights.
With a strong focus on litigation, WSOU Investments LLC has been proactive in initiating legal proceedings to enforce its patents. To date, the company has filed a total of 203 cases. This signals their commitment to safeguarding their intellectual property assets and seeking remedies for potential infringements.
Within these cases, WSOU Investments LLC has presented a noteworthy 147 plaintiff unique patents. These patents represent the distinctive inventions and technologies that the company seeks to protect and monetize.
4. Uniloc
Case filed: 334
Uniloc Corporation, a technology company with a subsidiary called Uniloc USA, operates in Rhode Island and Southern California. The main objective of Uniloc USA is to license its patented technology to software publishers and entertainment companies, forging notable partnerships with industry leaders like Sega.
Since 2010, Uniloc has initiated legal proceedings against 73 companies, alleging infringement on its copy-protection patents. Among these cases, 25 companies chose to settle out of court to resolve the disputes.
In the past five years alone, Uniloc has filed 334 cases, demonstrating its active involvement in litigation. Notably, 100 of these cases involve unique patents held by Uniloc as the plaintiff.
3. Rothschild Patent Imaging, LLC
Case filed: 609
Rothschild Patent Imaging LLC is a company that is known for its patent assertion activities and is often labeled as a “patent troll”. This term is used to describe companies that primarily generate revenue by targeting small businesses and companies that lack the resources to engage in lengthy legal battles. Instead of going through extended litigation, these companies often choose to settle and pay compensation. Over the past five years, Rothschild Patent Imaging has initiated a total of 609 lawsuits, employing this particular strategy.
Out of the 609 cases filed by Rothschild Patent Imaging, they have obtained 50 plaintiff-unique patents. This means that they have asserted their rights over these specific patents in legal disputes.
2. Coach Inc
Case filed: 676
Coach is a renowned American luxury fashion house that specializes in designing and manufacturing high-quality leather handbags, luggage, accessories, and ready-to-wear fashion items.
Coach has been actively involved in protecting its brand and intellectual property rights. Over the past decade, the company has filed a total of 676 cases, demonstrating its commitment to combating counterfeiting and protecting its designs from unauthorized use.
One notable legal victory for Coach occurred in 2012 when the company won an $8 million jury award in a counterfeiting case. The lawsuit was filed in a federal district court in Los Angeles and marked the first verdict against a customs brokerage firm.
Typically, importers rely on customs brokerage firms to handle the necessary paperwork for importing goods. This landmark case showcased Coach’s determination to tackle counterfeiting and protect its brand integrity.
This successful outcome was part of Coach’s broader anticounterfeiting litigation campaign called “Operation Turnlock.” Since its initiation in May 2009, Coach has filed over 676 lawsuits as part of this campaign and has secured significant judgments and settlements, amounting to millions of dollars.
1. IP Edge LLC
Case filed: 1021
IP Edge LLC, a US-based company, specializes in intellectual property (IP) monetization. IP refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions, designs, and artistic works, for which exclusive rights are recognized. IP Edge operates in the field of acquiring, licensing and enforcing patents and other intellectual property rights.
IP Edge’s litigation activity reached its highest point in 2015, with over 800 defendants added to their legal cases. However, this number steadily declined and dropped to under 200 defendants in 2018.
Following that period, IP Edge has increased its litigation activity to a consistent monthly pattern, with an average of around 50 defendants added per month. This activity tends to be concentrated toward the end of each month.
According to a recent report by Patexia, IP Edge LLC filed a total of 1021 plaintiff cases, asserting its rights as the plaintiff in various legal disputes, making it one of the most litigious companies in America. Additionally, they presented a notable count of 81 unique plaintiff patents, indicating the specific inventions or technologies they claimed were being infringed upon.
Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily enewsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below. You can also take a peek at 30 High-Paying Remote Jobs Without A Degree or Experience and 20 Best Imported Beers in USA in 2023.
