Tellus Fit, LLC v. Sony Electronics of America

District Judge Rodney Gilstrap has issued summary judgments of non-infringement in the numerous suits filed by Iris Connex, LLC, finding that the mobile device makers targeted by the plaintiff—including Apple, Dell, Huawei, LG Electronics (LGE), Microsoft, and Samsung—have not infringed a single patent (6,177,950) generally related to a portable phone with a multi-position and multi-function camera. Iris Connex, a Texas-based NPE managed by attorney Nicolas J. Labbit, had argued that the ‘950 patent should be read to include a “unified” camera system with front and rear cameras, as found in the accused smartphones and tablets. However, in multiple, identical orders issued on September 2, Judge Gilstrap ruled that the defendants have not infringed after holding that the ‘950 patent required a single, multi-position camera.

As RPX reported last month, three new NPEs managed by Texas attorney Nicolas J. Labbit each acquired rights in at least one patent earlier this year. Tellus Fit, LLC has become the first of those newly formed entities to begin litigation, filing suit against thirteen defendants that make and/or sell exercise monitoring wearables, including Adidas, FitBit, LG Electronics, Microsoft, Motorola Mobility, Nike, Sony, and Timex. The complaints assert a single patent (6,976,937) generally related to a mobile exercise detection device that receives satellite positioning information.