Complaint analysis | 2:25-cv-00666 | National Products Inc v. Pioneer Square Brands Inc

I. Executive Summary and Procedural Information

Parties & Counsel:
- Plaintiff: National Products Inc. (Washington)
- Defendant: Pioneer Square Brands Inc., d/b/a VAULT (Delaware)
- Plaintiff’s Counsel: Fenwick & West LLP
Case Identification: 2:25-cv-00666, W.D. Wash., 04/14/2025
Venue Allegations: Plaintiff alleges venue is proper because Defendant maintains a regular and established place of business within the district and has committed acts of infringement there.
Core Dispute: Plaintiff alleges that Defendant’s VAULT GoWork line of docking systems and protective covers for portable electronic devices infringes patents related to protective sleeves with integrated electrical adapters and corresponding docking stations.
Technical Context: The technology addresses the need for robust, drop-in charging and data solutions for portable electronics used in demanding commercial, vehicular, and industrial environments where devices must remain in protective cases.
Key Procedural History: The complaint alleges that in a prior litigation between the parties (Case No. 2:24-cv-00084), Defendant admitted to the Court’s personal jurisdiction. It also alleges that Defendant previously infringed other related patents owned by Plaintiff, which may be relevant to the current allegations of willful infringement.

Case Timeline

Date	Event
2014-02-24	Earliest Priority Date for ’511 and ’142 Patents
2024-04-12	Defendant allegedly admits personal jurisdiction in prior litigation
2024-10-29	U.S. Patent No. 12,132,511 Issues
2024-11-12	U.S. Patent No. 12,143,142 Issues
2025-04-14	Complaint Filed

II. Technology and Patent(s)-in-Suit Analysis

U.S. Patent No. 12,132,511 - Docking Sleeve With Electrical Adapter

Issued: October 29, 2024

The Invention Explained

Problem Addressed: The patent’s background section notes that known protective covers, or "skins," for portable electronic devices are limited in their ability to provide for "efficient and reliable usage" of such devices, particularly with respect to docking for charging or data transfer (’511 Patent, col. 1:49-53).
The Patented Solution: The invention is a protective arrangement featuring a flexible cover with a permanently integrated electrical adapter. This adapter includes a male plug that extends into the cover’s interior cavity to connect with the device’s port, and an external contactor with exposed electrical contacts. This design allows a device to be docked and electrically connected to an external cradle without being removed from its protective cover (’511 Patent, Abstract; col. 1:58 - col. 2:4).
Technical Importance: This integrated approach enables reliable, drop-in charging for devices that require rugged protection, a critical feature for efficient fleet management in commercial and enterprise settings where devices are frequently handled and docked (’511 Patent, col. 1:43-48).

Key Claims at a Glance

The complaint asserts independent claim 9 and reserves the right to assert other claims (Compl. ¶ 21).
Claim 9 Elements:
- A protective arrangement for an electronic device, the protective arrangement comprising: a removable cover comprising an exterior surface and an adapter opening in the exterior surface, wherein the panel and the skirt form an interior cavity therebetween with the skirt forming a mouth opening that communicates with the interior cavity, wherein the interior cavity is configured and arranged to receive the electronic device;
- an adapter comprising a plurality of first contacts accessible within the interior cavity of the removable cover in an arrangement for mating with one or more device contacts of the electronic device and a contactor configured for exposure through the adapter opening in the exterior surface of the removable cover, the contactor comprising a lateral surface opposite the first contacts and a plurality of second contacts arranged on the lateral surface and configured for exposure through the adapter opening of the removable cover,
- wherein the second contacts are electrically coupled to the first contacts,
- wherein the lateral surface of the contactor is configured to be disposed at least as far from the electronic device, when received in the interior cavity, as any other portion of the adapter and the removable cover.

U.S. Patent No. 12,143,142 - Docking Sleeve With Electrical Adapter

Issued: November 12, 2024

The Invention Explained

Problem Addressed: Similar to the ’511 Patent, the invention addresses the limitations of prior art protective covers that inhibit efficient docking and electrical connection of portable devices (’142 Patent, col. 1:43-47).
The Patented Solution: The patent claims a complete docking system that combines one or more protective cases with an integrated electrical adapter (as described in the ’511 Patent) and a multi-device docking station. The station is specifically designed with docking connectors that mate with the external contactors on the protective cases, providing both physical support and an electrical connection for charging and data transfer (’142 Patent, Abstract; col. 2:34-40).
Technical Importance: This system provides an end-to-end solution for managing, charging, and protecting a fleet of electronic devices, which is valuable in commercial environments like retail, logistics, and healthcare that rely on multiple shared devices (’142 Patent, col. 1:43-47).

Key Claims at a Glance

The complaint asserts independent claim 1 and reserves the right to assert other claims (Compl. ¶ 33).
Claim 1 Elements:
- A docking system, comprising: at least one protective case for a portable electronic device;
- each protective case further comprises a panel and a skirt surrounding the panel, wherein the panel and skirt define an interior cavity to receive the portable electronic device, wherein the panel is configured and arranged to cover a back face of the portable electronic device and the skirt is configured and arranged to at least partially cover a plurality of side faces of the portable electronic device and extend over a peripheral edge of a front face of the portable electronic device to secure the portable electronic device within the interior cavity;
- each protective case further comprises a male plug comprising at least three first contacts, the male plug extending from the skirt into the interior cavity of the protective case and configured for mating the at least three first contacts with contacts of a female socket of the portable electronic device to facilitate transfer of power to or from the portable electronic device, and a contactor comprising a contactor surface and at least three second contacts disposed on the contactor surface, wherein the at least three second contacts are electrically coupled to the at least three first contacts; and
- a multi-device docking station comprising a base and a plurality of docking connectors disposed on or in the base, each docking connector configured to mate with the contactor surface of a one of the at least one protective case, each docking connector comprising at least three docking contacts arranged to electrically connect with the at least three second contacts of the one of the at least one protective case, wherein the at least three docking contacts are spring-loaded pogo pins
- wherein the multi-device docking station further comprises a plurality of support surfaces extending away from the base, wherein each of the support surfaces is configured for positioning the portable electronic device against the support surface when the contactor surface of the one of the at least one protective case is mated to a one of the docking connectors proximate the support surface.

III. The Accused Instrumentality

Product Identification

The accused instrumentalities are Defendant PSB’s “VAULT GoWork line of products,” which include powered docking systems and associated protective covers for portable electronic devices like the iPhone 15 and iPad (10th Generation) (Compl. ¶¶ 21, 23, 33, 35).

Functionality and Market Context

The complaint alleges the VAULT GoWork products comprise a system of protective cases and multi-bay charging docks (Compl. ¶¶ 21, 33). The protective cases are alleged to have a removable cover forming an interior cavity for an electronic device and an integrated adapter that allows the cased device to connect to a charging dock (Compl. ¶¶ 25, 37-38). The complaint includes a photograph showing multiple cased iPhones charging simultaneously in a VAULT GoWork multi-device dock (Compl. p. 5). Another photograph illustrates that the protective case includes an adapter with external electrical contacts designed to mate with a corresponding dock (Compl. p. 7). The complaint alleges these products are sold and marketed throughout the United States (Compl. ¶¶ 8, 10).

IV. Analysis of Infringement Allegations

’511 Patent Infringement Allegations

Claim Element (from Independent Claim 9)	Alleged Infringing Functionality	Complaint Citation	Patent Citation
a protective arrangement for an electronic device, the protective arrangement comprising: a removable cover comprising an exterior surface and an adapter opening in the exterior surface, wherein the panel and the skirt form an interior cavity therebetween with the skirt forming a mouth opening that communicates with the interior cavity, wherein the interior cavity is configured and arranged to receive the electronic device;	The VAULT GoWork products are alleged to be a protective arrangement with a removable cover, panel, and skirt that form an interior cavity to receive an electronic device. The complaint includes a photograph of the accused dock with cased devices.	¶25	col. 8:60-67
an adapter comprising a plurality of first contacts accessible within the interior cavity ... and a contactor configured for exposure through the adapter opening ... the contactor comprising a lateral surface opposite the first contacts and a plurality of second contacts arranged on the lateral surface...	The GoWork products are alleged to include an adapter with first contacts inside the cover for mating with the device and a contactor with a lateral surface and second contacts for exposure outside the cover. An instructional diagram shows the device being inserted into the case to mate with an internal plug (Compl. p. 11).	¶26	col. 9:8-21
wherein the second contacts are electrically coupled to the first contacts,	The second contacts on the external contactor are alleged to be electrically coupled to the first contacts of the internal plug.	¶26	col. 9:18-20
wherein the lateral surface of the contactor is configured to be disposed at least as far from the electronic device, when received in the interior cavity, as any other portion of the adapter and the removable cover.	The complaint alleges that the lateral surface of the contactor is positioned at least as far from the device as any other part of the adapter or cover.	¶26	col. 9:21-25

’142 Patent Infringement Allegations

| Claim Element (from Independent Claim 1) - Alleged Infringing Functionality - Complaint Citation | Patent Citation |
|:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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|:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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|:-----------------------|:-------------------|
| at least one protective case for a portable electronic device; - The VAULT GoWork products are alleged to comprise a docking system that includes at least one protective case. - ¶37 | col. 8:60-62 |
| each protective case further comprises a panel and a skirt surrounding the panel, wherein the panel and skirt define an interior cavity to receive the portable electronic device... - Each accused protective case is alleged to have a panel and skirt that define an interior cavity to secure the electronic device. - ¶38 | col. 8:62-67 |
| each protective case further comprises a male plug comprising at least three first contacts... and a contactor comprising a contactor surface and at least three second contacts... wherein the at least three second contacts are electrically coupled to the at least three first contacts; | Each accused case is alleged to include a male plug with at least three first contacts inside the case and a contactor with at least three second contacts on its surface, with the contacts being electrically coupled. A close-up photograph shows the external contacts on the accused case (Compl. p. 12). | ¶39 | col. 9:1-13 |
| a multi-device docking station comprising a base and a plurality of docking connectors disposed on or in the base, each docking connector configured to mate with the contactor surface of a one of the at least one protective case... - The system is alleged to include a multi-device docking station with a base and multiple docking connectors configured to mate with the contactor surface on the protective cases. - ¶40 | col. 15:19-24 |
| wherein the multi-device docking station further comprises a plurality of support surfaces extending away from the base, wherein each of the support surfaces is configured for positioning the portable electronic device... - The accused docking station is alleged to have multiple support surfaces that position the cased electronic device when it is mated with a docking connector. - ¶40 | col. 15:50-57 |

Identified Points of Contention

Scope Questions: The infringement analysis for the ’511 patent may focus on the geometric limitation requiring the "lateral surface of the contactor" to be "disposed at least as far from the electronic device... as any other portion of the adapter and the removable cover." The question for the court may be whether the specific three-dimensional shape of the accused VAULT GoWork case satisfies this precise spatial relationship.
Technical Questions: For the ’142 patent’s system claim, a central question may be one of functional interaction. What evidence does the complaint provide that the accused dock’s "support surfaces" perform the specific function of "positioning the portable electronic device" when the contactor is mated, as required by the claim, versus simply providing passive structural support?

V. Key Claim Terms for Construction

The Term: "lateral surface" (’511 Patent, Claim 9)

Context and Importance: This term is critical because it defines the location and orientation of the external electrical contacts. The infringement analysis depends on whether the accused product's external contact area qualifies as a "lateral surface" within the meaning of the patent. Practitioners may focus on this term because the patent’s infringement theory rests on the specific geometry of the external connector.
Intrinsic Evidence for Interpretation:
- Evidence for a Broader Interpretation: The specification describes the contactor as having contacts "adjacent outwardly from the flexible cover," which could support a reading where "lateral" simply means on an outer, exposed face of the adapter, not necessarily a side face (’511 Patent, Abstract; col. 2:2-4).
- Evidence for a Narrower Interpretation: Figure 8 shows the contactor (120) positioned within the side skirt (106) of the cover, with its contacts facing outward in a direction parallel to the side of the device. This specific embodiment may support a narrower construction requiring the surface to be on the side of the protective arrangement.

The Term: "multi-device docking station" (’142 Patent, Claim 1)

Context and Importance: This term defines the second major component of the claimed system. The claim recites several specific structural features for this station (base, connectors, support surfaces). The dispute will likely involve whether the accused product contains every recited element and whether those elements are arranged and function in the claimed manner.
Intrinsic Evidence for Interpretation:
- Evidence for a Broader Interpretation: The specification generally describes a "docking cradle" with a "tray configured to receive the protective arrangement" (’142 Patent, col. 2:35-37), which could suggest a broad structural definition.
- Evidence for a Narrower Interpretation: The patent’s figures, such as Fig. 54A, depict a station with distinct, individual slots formed by support surfaces (101) for each device, with a docking connector (3) at the bottom of each slot. This could support a narrower construction requiring a more structured arrangement than a simple flat tray with multiple connectors.

VI. Other Allegations

Indirect Infringement

The complaint alleges both induced and contributory infringement. Inducement is based on Defendant allegedly providing customers with the docking systems, advertising their intended use, and providing instructions and support, thereby intending for its customers to infringe (Compl. ¶¶ 27, 41). Contributory infringement is based on allegations that Defendant supplies key components (protective covers and docking cradles) with knowledge of the patents and that these components are especially adapted for use in an infringing manner and have no substantial non-infringing use (Compl. ¶¶ 28, 42).

Willful Infringement

The complaint alleges willful infringement based on Defendant's alleged actual knowledge of the patents "since at least" their issue dates (October 29, 2024 for the ’511 patent and November 12, 2024 for the ’142 patent). It further alleges that Defendant was willfully blind to the patents' existence and infringement because it had previously infringed other related NPI patents and its GoWork product includes features from earlier infringing products (Compl. ¶¶ 30, 44).

VII. Analyst’s Conclusion: Key Questions for the Case

A core issue will be one of definitional scope: can the term "lateral surface" in the ’511 patent, which is illustrated in specific side-mounted embodiments, be construed to cover the precise geometry and placement of the external connector on the accused VAULT GoWork cases?
A key evidentiary question for the ’142 patent will be one of system functionality: does the combination of the accused protective cases and docking station meet every structural and functional requirement of the claimed "docking system," particularly whether the station's "support surfaces" actively perform the claimed "positioning" function in concert with the electrical mating of the connectors.