Score one for mobile payments network LevelUp in technology innovation’s ongoing war with the nation’s patent trolls. The United States District Court has ruled in LevelUp’s favor on a complaint for patent infringement filed against the company by Jack Barron, a Massachusetts resident.
Judge Timothy Hillman has ruled that LevelUp does not infringe on Mr. Barron’s patent, which covers messaging over a financial network.
LevelUp had maintained that Mr. Barron’s claims were frivolous and intended to extort a settlement. The court apparently agreed, and ruled against Barron prior to the beginning of discovering in the case, according to a statement released by LevelUp.
LevelUp was pleased and vindicated by the court’s early ruling, which was entered prior to the commencement of any discovery in the case. LevelUp will now go the extra mile to dissuade future patent trolls by looking to recover from Mr. Barron the costs and attorney fees LevelUp incurred in order to defend against allegations that did not hold up to summary judgment.
This case marks the second time in six months that LevelUp has faced an assertion of patent infringement that was ultimately proved to be entirely groundless. In January, an individual who had sued LevelUp in California agreed to withdraw his claims without any payment by LevelUp.
“What’s Hot” is aggregated content. PYMNTS.com claims no responsibility for the accuracy of the content published by the original source.
We’re always on the lookout for opportunities to partner with innovators and disruptors.
Learn More