ABC IP, LLC and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc. v. Eye Candy Custom Firearms LLC and Paul Zonghetti
Case Overview
- Case Name: ABC IP, LLC and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc. v. Eye Candy Custom Firearms LLC and Paul Zonghetti
- Court: U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Orlando Division)
- Case Number: 6:26-cv-01558-PGB-RMN
- Filing Date: July 17, 2026
- Plaintiffs: ABC IP, LLC and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc.
- Defendants: Eye Candy Custom Firearms LLC and Paul Zonghetti
- 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 Florida-based firearms retailer Eye Candy Custom Firearms LLC and its individual principal, Paul Zonghetti. The federal complaint alleges that the Defendants are actively marketing, advertising, and selling unauthorized forced reset conversion systems—specifically the (3-Position) “Super Safety,” the “Atrius Selector,” and the “Kabuto” device.
Plaintiffs contend that these products directly infringe upon their exclusive utility patent portfolio protecting “forced reset trigger” (FRT) firearm innovations. Because the Defendants reportedly continued commercial distribution and promotion of these 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 – V)
The complaint asserts that Eye Candy Custom Firearms LLC’s product offerings 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 and Contributory Infringement
- Induced Infringement: The suit highlights that the Defendants take active steps to induce infringement by distributing, promoting, and instructing customers on how to assemble and operate standalone conversion components (such as partial or complete kits) configured to override standard semi-automatic fire control groupings.
- Contributory Infringement: Asserts that secondary component parts distributed by the Defendants—such as standalone selector cams or specialized mechanical levers—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 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 Eye Candy Custom Firearms LLC and Paul Zonghetti from manufacturing, importing, advertising, or selling the Super Safety, Atrius, or Kabuto 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.
