ABC IP, LLC et al. v. Gun Builders Depot, LLC et al
Case Overview
- Case Name: ABC IP, LLC et al. v. Gun Builders Depot, LLC et al.
- Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana (Indianapolis Division)
- Case Number: 1:26-cv-01221-RLY-MJD
- Filing Date: June 9, 2026
- Plaintiffs: ABC IP, LLC and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc.
- Defendants: Gun Builders Depot, LLC and Chad Myers
- 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 Indiana-based firearms and components retailer Gun Builders Depot, LLC and its individual manager, Chad Myers. The federal complaint alleges that the Defendants are actively marketing, advertising, and selling unauthorized products via their digital storefront—specifically the Hoffman Super Safety (Steel Version) configurations and the Atrius Forced Reset Selector.
Plaintiffs contend that these products directly infringe upon their intellectual property portfolio protecting “forced reset trigger” (FRT) firearm innovations. Because the Defendants reportedly continued marketing these systems despite documented access to libraries 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 (Counts I – V)
The complaint asserts that Gun Builders Depot’s product offerings (sold via gunbuilders.com) infringe upon five distinct U.S. Patents owned by ABC IP, LLC:
| Count | Asserted Patent | Technical / Mechanical Focus of Claim | Infringing Device Context |
| 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. | Super Safety & Atrius Selector |
| 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. | Super Safety & Atrius Selector |
| Count III | U.S. Patent No. 12,529,538 | Safety mechanism for a firearm employing a multi-mode cam selector with specific internal recesses to toggle functions. | Super Safety |
| 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. | Super Safety & Atrius Selector |
| 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. | Super Safety & Atrius Selector |
Indirect and Contributory Infringement
- Inducing Infringement: The suit highlights that the Defendants take active steps to encourage, promote, and instruct customers on how to swap existing trigger components and install the Super Safety and Atrius Selector kits, fully aware that these actions induce direct patent infringement.
- Contributory Infringement: Asserts that separate components distributed by the Defendants—such as standalone cams or isolated lever arms—are specially designed for infringing fire control units and hold no substantial, non-infringing purpose.
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 Gun Builders Depot, Chad Myers, and their associates from manufacturing, marketing, advertising, selling, or importing the Super Safety, Atrius Selector, or underlying components.
- Damages: Full financial compensation adequate 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 due to the “egregious and willful” nature of the patent infringement.
- Legal Fees: A declaration that this case constitutes an “exceptional case” under federal law (35 U.S.C. § 285), requiring the Defendants to pay all of the Plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and associated legal expenses.
