Introduction
Patent assertions have increasingly become more than just a legal defense strategy—they are now key tools in shaping competition, influencing R&D investments, and driving revenue through licensing. The rise of Non-Practicing Entities (NPEs) has added new dynamics to the landscape, impacting industries ranging from networking to EVs. This article explores key patent assertion trends from 2021-2024 and offers insights on how these legal strategies are transforming industries and competitive dynamics.
“We have analyzed litigation cases filed in the US over the past five years across the following eight technology domains.
- Advertising and Social Networking
- Semiconductor
- Media Streaming Platforms
- Drones
- Automobile (EV Charging/Battery)
- Industrial Automation (IoT)
- Cloud Services (Virtualization/Servers)
- Blockchain
For each domain, we’ve identified the most litigated patents, based on publicly available data. Since these areas have seen recent patent litigation filing, it indicates that these areas may continue to see enforcement activity in the coming years too.”
Industry-Wise Analysis of Asserted Patents
Advertisement and Social Networking
Major players like Tron Holdings LLC and Trinity Info Media LLC dominate patent litigations filed in the Advertising and Social Networking space.
Top Asserted Patents in Advertising and Social Networking
| Patent Number | Technology Area | Litigation Cases | Patent Held By |
| US9087321B2 | Social Networking Systems | 7 | Trinity Info Media Llc |
| US9451001B2 | Social Media and Video Sharing | 4 | Art Research & Technology |
| US9524513B2 | System for displaying advertisements | 4 | Tron Holdings Llc |
| US9870575B2 | Non-intrusive advertisement | 4 | Tron Holdings Llc |
| US10936685B2 | Social Networking and Recommendation Systems | 4 | Trinity Info Media Llc |
Competitor’s Products At Risk
Asserted patents include US9087321B2 which covers key technologies used in social media platforms, specifically in advertisement systems and user engagement.
Several competitors have already been targeted via this patent. For example:
- OkCupid uses a set of polling questions to determine compatibility between users, which aligns with the claims of storing user data and analyzing compatibility metrics, much like what’s covered in the US9087321B2 patent.
- Tinder also relies on user profiles and a swiping system that matches individuals based on interests and preferences, akin to the social networking systems defined in the asserted patent.
The similarities between these products suggest that the US9087321B2 patent could serve as a key blocker or license point for companies aiming to innovate in the social networking and online dating space.
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Semiconductor (Transistors)
Companies like Seoul Semiconductor Co Ltd and Seoul Viosys Co Ltd dominate the LED-related patent assertions, reflecting competitive pressures in the LED and semiconductor markets. CMOS patents, like those asserted by GlobalFoundries, indicate the industry’s focus on improving semiconductor manufacturing processes, while also serving as a means of blocking competition.
Top Asserted Patents in Semiconductors
| Patent Number | Technology Area | Cases Count | Patent Held By |
| US9269868B2 | Manufacturing LED | 13 | Seoul Semiconductor Co Ltd |
| US9577157B2 | LED Design and Packaging | 11 | Seoul Viosys Co Ltd |
| US9799800B2 | Nitride-based semiconductor LED device | 10 | Seoul Viosys Co Ltd |
| US9627435B2 | Nitride-based semiconductor LED device | 7 | Seoul Viosys Co Ltd |
| US9082877B2 | CMOS device | 6 | GlobalFoundries US Inc |
In the Semiconductor industry, the US9269868B2 patent plays a significant role in the LED manufacturing space. This patent specifically covers LED design and packaging technologies, which are crucial for improving the efficiency and performance of lighting products.
Some competitors in this field include:
- Cree XLamp XQ-E LEDs, which are known for utilizing advanced light-emitting diode technologies, including nitride semiconductors to enhance efficiency.
- Nichia 757 Series LEDs, which also employ nitride semiconductors and layered structures for their high-performance lighting solutions.
These products reflect similar technological foundations, focusing on enhanced efficiency and advanced semiconductor materials for better performance in lighting and other applications.
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Media (Streaming Platforms)
Companies like Display Technologies Llc and Dish Technologies Llc are asserting key patents to safeguard their innovative streaming protocols and media content handling systems.
| Patent Number | Technology Area | Cases Count | Patent Held By |
| US9300723B2 | Digital Media Sharing and Display Protocols | 92 | Display Technologies Llc |
| US11336597B1 | Cross-Platform Anonymous Real-Time Communication | 18 | Disintermediation Services Inc |
| US9912513B2 | OFDMA transmissions in wireless networks | 15 | Atlas Global Technologies Llc |
| US10951680B2 | Media Content Handling and Playback | 14 | Dish Technologies Llc |
| US10469555B2 | Dynamic Rate Shifting of Streaming Content | 14 | Dish Technologies Llc |
In the Media industry, the US9300723B2 patent plays a critical role in digital media sharing and display protocols, which are essential for enabling smooth streaming and content delivery across platforms.
Competitors in this field include:
- Apple CarPlay, which uses a wireless connection to link mobile devices to a vehicle’s media system for transferring and displaying media files. This aligns with the patented technology focused on media file transmission and display protocols.
- Android Auto, which enables media file transmission between mobile devices and vehicle infotainment systems, facilitating seamless access to apps and media.
Both products reflect a similar technological approach, focusing on wireless media connections between mobile devices and other systems to enhance the user experience.
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Drones
In the drone industry, UAV detection and tracking patents are increasingly being asserted by independent inventors, signaling a shift towards litigation as a business strategy. These assertions could significantly disrupt both OEM manufacturers and service providers.
Top Asserted Patents in Drones
| Patent Number | Technology Area | Litigation Cases | Patent Held By |
| US10665117B2 | UAV Detection and Tracking Systems | 2 | Individual Inventor |
| US10665116B2 | UAV Detection and Tracking Systems | 2 | Individual Inventor |
| US10670696B2 | Integrated system for detecting, tracking, identifying UAV. | 1 | Xidrone Systems Inc |
| US10252800B1 | Drone-Based Equipment Inspection | 1 | Scantech Instruments Inc |
| US10152734B1 | Digital Advertising Techniques using drones | 1 | Metarail Inc |
In the drone industry, the US10665117B2 patent plays a vital role in UAV detection and tracking systems, which are crucial for drone safety and airspace security.
Some notable competitors in this field include:
- Dedrone RF-160 (Dedrone), which uses RF spectrum scanning to detect drone activity and communication between drones and their controllers. This product aligns with the US10665117B2 patent, which also focuses on detecting UAVs through RF signals.
- DJI Aeroscope, a comprehensive drone detection platform that identifies UAV communication links and provides real-time location data for drones. This system shares similarities with the patent’s focus on UAV RF signals and determining drone location.
These competitor products focus on using RF technology to detect and track drones, ensuring safer operations in restricted airspaces and providing real-time data to security personnel.
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Automobile (EV Charging/Battery)
Wangs International Inc and Sysmex Pilot Co Ltd lead in these assertions, signaling the importance of smart charging technologies in the EV market. Additionally, vehicle monitoring systems and innovations in telematics reflect how car manufacturers are leveraging IP to protect their advancements in real-time data analysis.
Top Asserted Patents in Automobile
| Patent Number | Technology Area | Litigation Cases | Patent Held By |
| US10046653B2 | Automobile Charging Systems | 12 | Wangs International Inc | Sysmex Pilot Co Ltd |
| US9525297B2 | Automobile charger with a microcontroller | 8 | Sysmex Pilot Co Ltd |
| US10204261B2 | Vehicle Monitoring Systems | 7 | Haley Ip Llc |
| US9460467B2 | Used Car Sales and Bidding Systems | 2 | Sidekick Technology Llc |
| US9460616B1 | Monitoring cars with a central server system | 3 | Quartz Auto Technologies Llc |
In the automobile industry, especially in the EV charging sector, the US10046653B2 patent focuses on automobile charging systems that enable efficient power distribution and battery protection.
Key competitors in this field include:
- NOCO Genius Boost GB40, an ultra-portable lithium car battery jump starter that provides reverse polarity protection and spark-proof technology, aligning with the features described in the US10046653B2 patent for battery protection and load detection.
- Schumacher SC1281, which offers advanced diagnostic capabilities for car batteries, including reverse polarity protection and automatic battery type detection, similar to the protection features outlined in the patent.
These competitor products focus on providing safety features like reverse polarity protection and battery diagnostics, ensuring better performance and longevity of batteries in vehicles.
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Industrial Automation (IoT)
All the patents litigated in the past few years seem to be owned by Korktek Industries Pty Ltd and focus on using Wi-Fi for controlling devices, power systems, and automation processes. These include using smartphones and portable devices to manage home or industrial systems. The number of cases—ranging from 7 to 25—shows that these patents are being enforced actively. Companies working with Wi-Fi-based automation or smart control systems may want to be aware of these patents to avoid future risks.
| Patents | Technology Area | Litigation Cases | Patent Held By |
| US9590427B2 | system for controlling automation using Wi-Fi | 25 | Korktek Industries Pty Ltd |
| US9465377B2 | enabling power supply control with a wireless controller | 25 | Korktek Industries Pty Ltd |
| US10429869B2 | managing mains power and automation using Wi-Fi | 25 | Korktek Industries Pty Ltd |
| US10862313B2 | automation devices using portable devices via Wi-Fi | 20 | Korktek Industries Pty Ltd |
| US9923376B2 | smartphones to control home automation systems directly via Wi-Fi | 7 | Korktek Industries Pty Ltd |
In the Automation industry, particularly in Industrial IoT (IoT) applications, the US9590427B2 patent is vital as it covers Wi-Fi-based systems used for controlling devices and automation processes remotely.
Key competitors using similar technologies include:
- Philips Hue Smart Lighting System, which enables users to control lights remotely via a smartphone app using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This system aligns with the US9590427B2 patent by using a controller with a processor and wireless transceiver to manage lighting systems via wireless communication.
- Belkin Wemo Smart Plug, which allows control of electrical devices through a smartphone app connected via Wi-Fi. This product mirrors the patented system’s use of a wireless control module with a transceiver and microcontroller for controlling electricity supply.
- TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug, which also enables remote control of devices through Wi-Fi, ensuring that the system operates based on wireless communications for electrical management.
These products emphasize wireless control, particularly using Wi-Fi, to automate and manage devices and systems in industrial and home environments.
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Cloud Services (Virtualization/Servers)
Amazon holds multiple patents in this space and has been involved in several legal cases, mainly around virtual and logical networking. Xencare Software Inc leads in the number of assertions with a patent focused on access gateways. Another key player is Croga Innovations Ltd, with a patent targeting cloud-based malware protection. These cases suggest that companies working in cloud computing, especially those dealing with virtual networks and malware protection, should be aware of ongoing IP activity in this space to reduce the risk of litigation.
| Patents | Technology Area | Litigation Cases | Patent Held By |
| US10846118B2 | Consolidated Access Gateway for Cloud Computing Resources | 12 | Xencare Software Inc |
| US11336529B2 | Virtual Network Management in Shared Data Centers | 5 | Amazon |
| US11909586B2 | Logical Networking for Virtual Computer Networks | 4 | Amazon |
| US11516080B2 | Virtual Networking for Managed Computer Networks | 3 | Amazon |
| US11178104B2 | Cloud-Based Malware Protection with Sandboxing | 3 | Croga Innovations Ltd |
In the Cloud Services industry, particularly in the Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) domain, the US10846118B2 patent is essential for virtual machine management and cloud resource delivery.
A key competitor in this space is:
- AWS WorkSpaces by Amazon Web Services (AWS), a managed, secure Desktop-as-a-Service solution that provides Windows or Linux desktops to workers globally. This product aligns with the US10846118B2 patent, which describes the use of virtual machines to deliver desktop environments. AWS WorkSpaces helps simplify desktop delivery strategies by leveraging cloud-based virtual machines to eliminate the complexities of hardware management, much like the patent’s virtualized host device approach.
AWS WorkSpaces offers subscription-based models for scalable desktop environments, providing a flexible solution for businesses looking to streamline desktop management.
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Blockchain
Patent litigation in the blockchain space appears to be relatively low but spread across different use cases such as digital asset management, gaming, financial transactions, and user authentication. The most litigated patent in this set is held by an individual inventor, focused on asset authentication using blockchain. Other companies such as Pocketful Of Quarters Inc, Upstream Data Inc, and Identitii Pty Ltd also hold patents that have seen some legal activity. These cases show that while blockchain is still an emerging area in terms of litigation volume, patent holders are beginning to enforce their rights across niche applications.
| Patents | Technology Area | Litigation Cases | Patent Held By |
| US10469250B2 | Blockchain-based Asset Authentication | 3 | Individual Inventor |
| US11189131B1 | Blockchain in Gaming Transactions | 2 | Pocketful Of Quarters Inc |
| US11574372B2 | Blockchain Mining with Natural Gas | 1 | Upstream Data Inc |
| US10803160B2 | User Authentication Systems | 1 | Facetec Inc |
| US10984413B2 | Blockchain in Financial Transactions | 1 | Identitii Pty Ltd |
Competitor’s Products in Blockchain (Digital Asset Management)
In the Blockchain industry, the US10469250B2 patent plays a significant role in digital asset authentication and tracking through blockchain technology.
Key competitors in this space include:
- IBM Food Trust, which uses blockchain to trace the origin and movement of food products. This solution aligns with the US10469250B2 patent by utilizing blockchain for traceability and authentication of assets, although it doesn’t specifically incorporate spectral imaging or 3D spatial mapping as described in the patent.
- Everledger, which provides blockchain-based solutions for tracking diamonds and valuable assets, ensuring authenticity and ownership verification. Like the US10469250B2 patent, it utilizes unique identifiers for assets, though it doesn’t use spectral imaging or 3D mapping for asset verification.
- VeChain ToolChain, which offers blockchain solutions for asset management and supply chain verification. This product shares similarities with the patent by leveraging blockchain technology to ensure asset traceability and authentication, although it doesn’t focus on spectral analysis for asset identification.
These competitor products focus on using blockchain technology to ensure asset traceability and authentication, with some offering more advanced features such as digital asset tracking in supply chains.
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