ABC IP, LLC and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc. v. Geronimo Arms & Ammo LLC and Michael Goldberg
Case Overview
- Case Name: ABC IP, LLC and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc. v. Geronimo Arms & Ammo LLC and Michael Goldberg
- Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida (Gainesville Division)
- Case Number: 1:26-cv-00165-RH-MJF
- Filing Date: July 17, 2026
- Plaintiffs: ABC IP, LLC and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc.
- Defendants: Geronimo Arms & Ammo LLC and Michael Goldberg
- 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 patent infringement lawsuit against Florida-based firearms retailer Geronimo Arms & Ammo LLC and its individual principal, Michael Goldberg. The federal complaint alleges that the Defendants are actively marketing, advertising, and selling unauthorized products—specifically the Wide Open Trigger (“WOT”) system (sold via geronimoarms.com).
Plaintiffs contend that these products directly infringe upon their utility patent protecting “forced reset trigger” (FRT) firearm innovations. Because the Defendants reportedly continued marketing these systems despite documented notice of the relevant legal protections, the Plaintiffs are accusing them of 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 (Count I)
The complaint asserts that Geronimo Arms & Ammo LLC’s product offerings infringe upon a U.S. Patent owned by ABC IP, LLC:
| Count | Asserted Patent | Technical / Mechanical Focus of Claim |
| Count I | U.S. Patent No. 10,514,223 | Drop-in trigger housing framework containing a hammer-actuated reset and an internal spring-biased locking bar system. |
Indirect, Contributory, and Willful Conduct
- Induced Infringement: The complaint states that the Defendants take active steps to induce others to directly infringe by encouraging, promoting, advertising, and providing operational instruction on how to use the WOT.
- Contributory Infringement: Asserts that components of the WOT trigger assembly sold by the Defendants are custom-designed specifically for use in a forced reset trigger setup and hold no substantial non-infringing applications.
- Willful Intent: Plaintiffs contend that the Defendants engaged in deliberate infringement behavior with full knowledge of the valid, issued ‘223 Patent.
Remedy & Relief Sought
The Plaintiffs claim severe, ongoing economic harm due to these unauthorized retail sales practices. They are requesting that the federal court grant the following relief:
- Injunctions: Both preliminary and permanent injunctions to immediately halt Geronimo Arms & Ammo LLC and Michael Goldberg from manufacturing, importing, advertising, or selling the WOT or any aftermarket components copying the patented mechanics.
- Damages: Full compensatory financial recovery for 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 infringement.
- 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 legal expenses.
