THE KING OF BEERS IS A PATENT INFRINGER?

By Daniel Davidson

Every morning during the week, I peruse a list of the previous days lawsuits that were filed against alleged patent infringers.  Most mornings, while sipping a cup of black coffee, I lazily move from one case to the next, with no real enthusiasm.  Today, was different.

My eye was caught by a case that included defendants Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, Amstel Brewery, Brown-Forman Corporation d/b/a Jack Daniels Beverage Company, Heineken, etc.  As I am sure may have crossed your mind, my thoughts were, “what might all these fine beverage companies be doing that would be infringing on a company’s, called Laughing Gas Enterprises, LLC, patent?”  Upon further investigation, and another cup f coffee, it proved to be nothing to do with an ice cold substance at all.  Instead, Laughing Gas Enterprises, LLC, in their four page complaint, allege that the bottling companies are infringing on patent 7,967,945 for Cross-Carrier Content Upload, Social Network and Promotional Platform.

The short and sweet complaint complains that the beverage kings are stepping on their patent through their conducting of a promotion which infringes a claim of their patent.  No particular claim is mentioned, but from reading the patent, I would assume it has something to do with uploading pictures.  I anticipate motions to dismiss and/or motions for more definite statements from the defendants in this case.

All this talking about alcohol has got me ready to change out the coffee mug with a sweat.  I hope this information finds you well.  Cheers.