ABC IP LLC et al v. Mad River Firearm Co LLC et al
Case Overview
- Case Name: ABC IP, LLC et al. v. Mad River Firearm Co. LLC et al.
- Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (Western Division)
- Case Number: 2:26-cv-00664
- Filing Date: June 3, 2026
- Plaintiffs: ABC IP, LLC and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc.
- Defendants: Mad River Firearm Co. LLC and Lane Boggs
- Nature of Action: Civil lawsuit alleging direct, 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 comprehensive multi-count lawsuit against Ohio-based firearms retailer Mad River Firearm Co. LLC and its principal, Lane Boggs. The federal complaint alleges that the Defendants are actively manufacturing, using, marketing, advertising, and selling unauthorized products—specifically the “Super Safety” trigger selection kit configurations and the “Atrius Selector” forced reset components.
Plaintiffs contend that these products directly infringe upon their extensive intellectual property portfolio protecting “forced reset trigger” (FRT) firearm innovations. Because the Defendants reportedly continued manufacturing and 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 Mad River Firearm Co. LLC’s product offerings (sold via madriverfirearm.com) 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 a deflectable or folding lever arm actuated by direct contact with the cycling bolt carrier. |
| Count III | U.S. Patent No. 12,529,538 | A safety mechanism employing a multi-recess cam selector configured to operate between three distinct modes to allow, modify, or block trigger movement. |
| 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 a multi-position safety selector allowing switching between standard disconnector mode and a forced reset sequence. |
Induced and Contributory Infringement
Induced Infringement: Highlights that Mad River Firearm Co. LLC takes active steps to induce its customers to infringe by encouraging, advertising, promoting, and instructing others on how to install and use the Super Safety and Atrius Selector devices.
Contributory Infringement: Asserts that the components sold by the Defendants (such as the cam and cam lever arm) are not suitable for substantial noninfringing use, as they are specially designed and adapted solely to create a forced reset trigger mechanism that violates the asserted patents.
Remedy & Relief Sought
The Plaintiffs claim severe, ongoing economic and reputational harm due to these unauthorized manufacturing and retail sales practices. They are requesting that the federal court grant the following relief:
Injunctions: Both preliminary and permanent injunctions to immediately halt Mad River Firearm Co. LLC and its principals from manufacturing, importing, advertising, or selling the Super Safety devices, Atrius components, or any associated aftermarket kits.
Damages & Disgorgement: Full financial compensation for lost retail profits or reasonable royalties resulting from the direct and indirect patent infringement.
Punitive Multipliers: Asking the court to treble (triple) the final calculated damages due to the “egregious and willful” nature of the patent infringement.
Legal Fees: A declaration that this constitutes an “exceptional case” under federal law, requiring the Defendants to pay all of the Plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and associated legal expenses.
