ABC IP, LLC et al. v. Mid South Arms LLC et al
Case Overview
- Case Name: ABC IP, LLC et al. v. Mid South Arms LLC et al.
- Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas (Western Division)
- Case Number: 4:26-cv-00702-DPM
- Filing Date: July 13, 2026
- Plaintiffs: ABC IP, LLC and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc.
- Defendants: Mid South Arms LLC and David Ray Erwin
- Nature of Action: Civil lawsuit alleging willful patent infringement with a demand for a jury trial.
Executive Summary
Plaintiffs ABC IP, LLC (the patent owner) and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc. (the exclusive licensee) have filed a comprehensive multi-count patent infringement lawsuit against Arkansas-based firearms and component retailer Mid South Arms LLC and its individual principal, David Ray Erwin. The federal complaint alleges that the Defendants are actively marketing, advertising, and selling unauthorized trigger conversion components—specifically the “Ar15 FRT Super Safety” three-position selector kit.
Plaintiffs contend that these products directly copy and infringe upon their exclusive utility patent portfolio protecting “forced reset trigger” (FRT) firearm innovations. Because the Defendants reportedly continued to market and sell these conversion components under variant labels like the “TX 22 FRT” despite established industry knowledge of the relevant legal protections, the Plaintiffs are charging them with willful infringement, opening the door for enhanced damages.
The Technology in Dispute
The lawsuit centers on advanced firearm trigger engineering—specifically the mechanical transition from standard semi-automatic mechanisms to patented forced reset trigger (FRT) assemblies:
- Standard Semi-Automatic Trigger: Relies on a traditional disconnector mechanism. When a round is fired, the user must manually release rearward finger pressure on the trigger so the disconnector can hand the hammer back off to the main trigger sear before the firearm can be discharged again.
- Forced Reset Mechanism (The Patented Invention): Eliminates the necessity of traditional disconnector dependency during accelerated sequences. Instead, it utilizes specialized locking bars, cams, or lever systems cycled directly by the firearm’s reciprocating bolt carrier. This mechanically forces the trigger forward into its set reset position during the action cycle, allowing for an accelerated, highly efficient firing sequence without converting the firearm into an automatic weapon.
Breakdown of Infringement Claims
Patent Infringement (Counts I – V)
The complaint asserts that Mid South Arms LLC’s product offerings (sold via midsoutharms.com) infringe upon five distinct U.S. Patents owned by ABC IP, LLC:
| Count | Asserted Patent | Technical / Mechanical Focus of Claim |
| Count I | U.S. Patent No. 12,038,247 | Overarching dual-mode trigger utilizing a moving cam lobe to physically force the trigger member back into its set position. |
| Count II | U.S. Patent No. 12,031,784 | Extended trigger locking device featuring an upwardly extending deflectable lever arm actuated by direct contact with the cycling bolt carrier. |
| Count III | U.S. Patent No. 12,529,538 | Safety mechanism for a firearm employing a multi-recess cam selector configured to transition between standard, active reset, and safe positions. |
| Count IV | U.S. Patent No. 12,578,159 | Novel firearm mechanism for accelerating firing sequences utilizing multi-mode operations and specific internal sear surface geometries. |
| Count V | U.S. Patent No. 12,636,403 | Structural claim focusing on the physical interaction profiles between hammer hooks, trigger members, and safety selectors. |
Indirect, Contributory, and Willful Conduct
- Induced Infringement: The suit highlights that the Defendants take active steps to induce infringement by distributing and promoting standalone component kits (offered as partial or complete kits) specifically configured to override standard semi-automatic fire control groupings.
- Contributory Infringement: Asserts that secondary component parts distributed by the Defendants—such as standalone custom selector cams or isolated mechanical lever arms—are custom-engineered uniquely for an infringing trigger setup and hold no substantial, non-infringing application.
Remedy & Relief Sought
The Plaintiffs claim severe, ongoing economic harm due to these unauthorized retail operations. They are requesting that the federal court grant the following relief:
- Injunctions: Both preliminary and permanent injunctions to immediately halt Mid South Arms LLC and David Ray Erwin from manufacturing, importing, advertising, or selling the “Ar15 FRT Super Safety” units, or any aftermarket components duplicating the patented fire control actions.
- Damages: Full compensatory financial recovery to cover lost retail profits or reasonable royalties resulting from patent infringement, alongside pre- and post-judgment interest.
- Punitive Multipliers: Asking the court to treble (triple) the final calculated compensatory damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284 due to the “egregious and willful” nature of the patent violations.
- Legal Fees: A declaration that this constitutes an “exceptional case” under federal law (35 U.S.C. § 285), requiring the Defendants to pay all of the Plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees, case costs, and associated litigation expenses.
