Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Legal

ABC IP, LLC et al. v. NSPEC Innovations LLC et al.

Case Overview

  • Case Name: ABC IP, LLC et al. v. NSPEC Innovations LLC et al.
  • Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas (Austin Division)
  • Case Number: 1:26-cv-1553
  • Filing Date: June 9, 2026
  • Plaintiffs: ABC IP, LLC; Rare Breed Triggers, Inc.; and RBTM LLC
  • Defendants: NSPEC Innovations LLC (a Texas Limited Liability Company) and Collin McMillan
  • Nature of Action: Civil lawsuit alleging willful patent infringement, trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition with a demand for a jury trial.

Executive Summary

Plaintiffs ABC IP, LLC (the patent owner), Rare Breed Triggers, Inc. (the exclusive licensee), and RBTM LLC have filed a comprehensive multi-count lawsuit against Texas-based firearms and components retailer NSPEC Innovations LLC and its individual principal, Collin McMillan. The federal complaint alleges that the Defendants are actively marketing, advertising, and selling unauthorized products via their digital storefront—specifically the NSPEC Innovations AR-15 Super Safety configurations, the Atrius Super Selektor (and its Ambidextrous variants), and the AS Designs ARC-Fire systems.

Plaintiffs contend that these products directly infringe upon their extensive intellectual property portfolio protecting “forced reset trigger” (FRT) firearm innovations. Furthermore, the suit alleges that the Defendants are wrongfully trading on the market goodwill of the “FRT” trademark to mislead consumers. 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 NSPEC Innovations’ product offerings (sold via nspecinnovations.com) infringe upon five distinct U.S. Patents owned by ABC IP, LLC:

CountAsserted PatentTechnical / Mechanical Focus of ClaimInfringing Device Context
Count IU.S. Patent No. 12,038,247Overarching dual-mode trigger utilizing a moving cam lobe to physically force the trigger member back into its set position.Super Safety, Atrius Selector, & ARC-Fire
Count IIU.S. Patent No. 12,031,784Extended trigger locking device featuring an upwardly extending deflectable lever arm actuated by direct contact with the cycling bolt carrier.Super Safety, Atrius Selector, & ARC-Fire
Count IIIU.S. Patent No. 12,529,538Safety mechanism for a firearm employing a multi-mode cam selector with specific internal recess geometries to toggle functions.Super Safety
Count IVU.S. Patent No. 12,578,159Novel firearm mechanism for accelerating firing sequences utilizing multi-mode operations and specific internal sear surface geometries.Super Safety, Atrius Selector, & ARC-Fire
Count VU.S. Patent No. 12,636,403Structural claim focusing on the physical interaction profiles between hammer hooks, trigger members, and safety selectors.Super Safety, Atrius Selector, & ARC-Fire

Trademark & Unfair Competition Infringement

  • Trademark Infringement & Unfair Competition (Counts VI & VIII): Highlights the unauthorized use of the “FRT” trademark and its registered variants (such as FRT-15, FRT-22, and FRT-47). The Defendants are accused of marketing third-party components using Rare Breed’s exact branding across their retail website and educational blog layout to capitalize on its market footprint.
  • False Designation of Origin (Count VII): Asserts that the retail marketing tactics are highly likely to confuse consumers into falsely believing that the inventory distributed by NSPEC Innovations originates from, is endorsed by, or is affiliated with Rare Breed Triggers.

Remedy & Relief Sought

The Plaintiffs claim severe, ongoing economic and reputational harm due to these unauthorized retail sales and deceptive branding practices. They are requesting that the federal court grant the following relief:

  • Injunctions: Both preliminary and permanent injunctions to immediately halt NSPEC Innovations, Collin McMillan, and their agents from manufacturing, importing, advertising, or selling the Super Safety kits, Atrius selectors, ARC-Fire triggers, or any aftermarket configurations bearing the FRT marks.
  • Damages & Disgorgement: Full financial compensation for lost retail profits or reasonable royalties resulting from patent infringement, alongside the disgorgement of all profits pocketed from trademark violations.
  • Punitive Multipliers: Asking the court to treble (triple) the final calculated damages due to the “egregious and willful” nature of the patent and trademark 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, corrective advertising costs, and associated legal expenses.

author avatar
Mark Slovacek
Mark Slovacek is a patent attorney who has had a life long fascination with science, electronics, firearms and archery. He finds it a rewarding experience helping others protect their intellectual property, and seeing their inventions in the marketplace. Furthermore, Mark is an avid reader, following recent trends in the sporting goods industry and the patents surrounding them. Feel free to send Mark a message here.

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