Imagine being sued every 5 days!
For Samsung Group, that became a reality in 2024. The tech giant became the most sued company in the US, with 69 patent infringement lawsuits involving 208 patents.
However, Samsung was not alone in this struggle. Tech giants like Amazon and Google were right behind Samsung in the list.
Here are the top 10 most sued companies in 2024:
Note: This analysis is based on the litigation data till 6 December 2024.
Pharmaceutical companies like Aurobindo Pharma, Hetero, and Cipla were among the top sued companies. The US saw a sharp rise in patent lawsuits over generic drug disputes in 2024. This surge is primarily driven by the expiration of patents on several high-revenue drugs, prompting generic pharma companies to grab market share.
Cipla faced a notable legal battle with Exelixis over the cancer drug Cabometyx. The first lawsuit, filed on March 16, 2023, focused on Cipla’s Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for a 60 mg dosage of cabozantinib. The second, filed on May 9, 2024, involved Cipla’s revised ANDA seeking approval for 20 and 40 mg dosages.
The companies reached a settlement in May 2024. Cipla can sell generic Cabometyx in the U.S. from January 1, 2031, if the FDA approves it. Both companies agreed to drop all lawsuits in Delaware. The settlement details remain confidential and will be reviewed by the FTC and DOJ. The deal secures Exelixis’ market hold until 2031 and gives Cipla a clear entry path.
Patent Armory filed the most infringement cases in 2024
Patent Armory Inc. filed the most patent infringement lawsuits in 2024 with 123 cases, all handled by Rabicoff Law LLC. The company doesn’t make products or offer services with its patents. Instead, like other NPEs (Non-Practicing Entities), it profits by licensing patents or suing companies for using similar technology.
Here are the top 10 NPEs that filed lawsuits in 2024.
| Sr. No. | Names of NPEs | Number of Cases Filed |
| 1. | Patent Armory Inc | 123 |
| 2. | Torus Ventures LLC | 83 |
| 3. | VDPP LLC | 59 |
| 4. | Linfo IP LLC | 47 |
| 5. | AML IP LLC | 41 |
| 6. | Innomemory LLC | 31 |
| 7. | Fleet Connect Solutions LLC | 30 |
| 8. | Intercurrency Software LLC | 28 |
| 9. | Websock Global Strategies LLC | 27 |
| 10. | Pointwise Ventures LLC | 27 |
Interestingly, Patent Armory weaponized two of its patents the most, US7023979B1 and US9456086B1. These patents described a system to analyze data and connect two entities efficiently. The system learns from past matches, tracks behavior, and improves accuracy over time. In e-commerce, this method can match buyers with the best sellers based on a combination of factors like price, product features, delivery speed, and seller ratings. Call centers can use this method to match agents with callers based on skills and needs.
However, these weren’t the most litigated patents of 2024.
US7203844B1 owned by Torus Ventures: The most litigated patent of 2024
Torus Ventures’ US7203844B1 patent on “Method and System for a Recursive Security Protocol for Digital Copyright Control,” was cited in 63 legal cases. It’s a system that protects digital content, like videos and software, by keeping it safe.
The system lets people share and store these media files securely, while still allowing some flexibility. One core feature is that it lets users make as many backup copies of the original file as they want. But, to use those copies, they still need permission from the copyright owners. This balance between security and user access makes it both innovative and useful.
This smart mix of control and freedom placed this patent in the spotlight in 2024. The defendants in these cases included major players in banking and insurance, such as Amarillo National Bank, Broadway National Bank, American Bank Holding Corp., and Al Boenker Insurance.
Most 2024 patent lawsuits were in the computer technology domain
Most patents involved in the 2024 litigations belonged to the computer technology domain. The most litigated patent in the domain was US9092428B1, owned by Linfo IP, LLC, an NPE.
This patent describes a system that helps users find, extract, and highlight specific information from large text. It works by analyzing how words are used in context. A key feature is its ability to identify positive opinions, even in negative sentences. Users can:
- Extract words or phrases based on meaning.
- Highlight or hide parts of the text.
- Organize information into lists, trees, or word clouds.
The defendants come from diverse industries, including fashion, retail, tech, beauty, travel, and home essentials, covering everything from apparel to digital platforms. Some of the renowned defendants include Levi Strauss & Co., Steven Madden, J. Crew Group, Ulta Beauty, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Alibaba Group.
A 20% increase in design patent applications
Interestingly, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) reported a 20% increase in design patent applications over the last five years. Unlike utility patents, which protect how a product works, design patents safeguard its visual appearance— shape, pattern, or overall look.
For a long time, design patents were relatively easy to get and tough to challenge. This was thanks to the Rosen-Durling test, which required finding a nearly identical prior design to question a new patent’s validity. But that all changed in May 2024.
In the landmark case LKQ Corporation v. GM Global Technology Operations LLC, the Federal Circuit Court introduced a new way of evaluating design patents for obviousness. Instead of the strict Rosen-Durling test, the court adopted the more flexible Graham factors, typically used for utility patents.
Here’s the backstory: GM, known for its automobile designs, holds design patents for car body parts like fenders. LKQ, an aftermarket parts manufacturer, wanted to replicate GM’s fenders without infringing on their design patents. LKQ challenged GM’s design patent, USD797625S1, arguing that it wasn’t original. They claimed it was too similar to an earlier patent, USD773340S1, created by Yubo Lian. LKQ argued that the design was obvious when compared to Lian alone or alongside a promotional brochure showing the front fender design of the 2010 Hyundai Tucson, but the USPTO rejected the challenge. However, LKQ’s appeal to the Federal Circuit overturned the USPTO’s decision, ending the rigid old standard.
This shift in design patent rules is significant. It suggests that 2025 can see many more legal battles over product appearance, especially in industries like consumer gods and electronics, where looks can be just as important as functionality.
Conclusion
Patent litigation trends reveal that NPEs show no signs of slowing down. As design patent litigation cases continue to rise, companies in every sector need to stay alert. Even industry giants like Samsung and Apple are not immune to litigation threats.
This leaves us with two questions- Is your IP strategy ready for the future? Are your products safe from NPE lawsuits?
Partnering with a team like GreyB’s ensures you uncover growth opportunities, safeguard your IP, and stay ahead in today’s competitive landscape. Our deep expertise in patent search, FTO analysis, and patent landscape research empowers you to confidently make informed decisions. We don’t just offer insights—we provide actionable strategies tailored to your unique needs, ensuring your innovation efforts are not only protected but also strategically aligned with the future.
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Authored by: Tamanpreet Kaur, Market Research
