ABC IP, LLC and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc. v. Brandon Hiatt and Larry Croft d/b/a Wick Designs
Case Overview
- Case Name: ABC IP, LLC and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc. v. Brandon Hiatt and Larry Croft d/b/a Wick Designs
- Court: U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Fort Myers Division)
- Case Number: 2:26-cv-02217
- Filing Date: July 21, 2026
- Plaintiffs: ABC IP, LLC and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc.
- Defendants: Brandon Hiatt, an individual, d/b/a Wick Designs; and Larry Croft, an individual, d/b/a Wick Designs
- 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 multi-count patent infringement lawsuit against Florida residents Brandon Hiatt and Larry Croft, both doing business as Wick Designs. The federal complaint alleges that the Defendants are actively marketing, advertising, offering for sale, and selling unauthorized forced reset conversion hardware—specifically the “Kabuto” device—via digital storefronts (wickdesign.co) and social media channels (such as the “Wickactual” Instagram account).
Plaintiffs contend that these products directly infringe upon four utility patents within their intellectual property portfolio protecting forced reset trigger (FRT) firearm innovations. Because the Defendants reportedly manufactured, promoted, and posted installation walkthroughs for these conversion setups despite documented notice 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 – IV)
The complaint asserts that Wick Designs’ product offerings (sold via wickdesign.co and promoted on Instagram) infringe upon four 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. 12,578,159 | Novel firearm mechanism for accelerating firing sequences utilizing multi-mode operations and specific internal sear surface geometries. |
| Count IV | U.S. Patent No. 12,636,403 | Structural claim focusing on the physical interaction profiles between hammer hooks, trigger members, and safety selectors. |
Indirect and Contributory Infringement
- Induced Infringement: The complaint highlights that the Defendants take active steps to induce infringement by broadcasting promotional and instructional setup videos on social media (such as the “Wickactual” Instagram account) showing customers how to integrate the Kabuto device into AR-15 receivers.
- Contributory Infringement: Asserts that secondary hardware distributed by the Defendants—such as standalone custom cams, linkage pins, and mechanical lever arms—are custom-engineered uniquely for an infringing fire control unit and possess no substantial, non-infringing application.
Remedy & Relief Sought
The Plaintiffs claim severe, ongoing economic and market harm due to these unauthorized sales practices. They are requesting that the federal court grant the following relief:
- Injunctions: Both preliminary and permanent injunctions to immediately halt Brandon Hiatt, Larry Croft, and Wick Designs from manufacturing, importing, advertising, or selling the Kabuto units or matching aftermarket components.
- 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.
