ABC IP, LLC et al. v. Jesse T. Kline
Case Overview
- Case Name: ABC IP, LLC et al. v. Jesse T. Kline
- Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi (Northern Division)
- Case Number: 3:25-cv-454-CWR-ASH
- Filing Date: June 23, 2025
- Plaintiffs: ABC IP, LLC and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc.
- Defendants: Jesse T. Kline (operating under the alias “Maserati Mike” and/or “Maserati Mikey”)
- Nature of Action: Civil lawsuit alleging willful contributory and induced 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 Mississippi-based sole proprietor Jesse T. Kline, known online under the alias “Maserati Mike” or “Maserati Mikey”. The federal complaint alleges that the Defendant is actively making, using, offering for sale, and selling unauthorized products—specifically 17-4 heat-treated, blasted, and polished 3D-printed “Super Safety” kits and components marketed and distributed via Facebook and private Facebook groups.
Plaintiffs contend that these components directly contribute to and induce infringement of their intellectual property portfolio protecting “forced reset trigger” (FRT) firearm innovations. Because the Defendant allegedly continued distributing these specialized hardware kits with full knowledge of the protected technology, the Plaintiffs are accusing him of willful indirect 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 Jesse T. Kline’s product offerings (distributed via social media platforms and Facebook groups) contributorily infringe and induce the infringement of U.S. Patent No. 12,038,247 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 and lock it during cycle operations. |
Remedy & Relief Sought
The Plaintiffs claim severe, ongoing economic and reputational harm due to these unauthorized component sales and instructional marketing practices. They are requesting that the federal court grant the following relief:
- Injunctions: Both preliminary and permanent injunctions to immediately halt Jesse T. Kline and his agents from manufacturing, importing, advertising, contributing to, or inducing the infringement of the Asserted Patent during the pendency of the case and permanently thereafter.
- Damages & Interest: Full financial compensation, including damages adequate to compensate for the infringement, alongside pre-judgment and post-judgment interest and costs.
- Punitive Multipliers: Asking the court to treble (triple) the final calculated damages due to the willful nature of the patent infringement.
- Legal Fees: An award of all costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in prosecuting the action.
