Activemap LLC v. Unknown Defendant

Activemap LLC, a non-practicing entity (NPE) and patent assertion entity, has initiated a campaign of patent infringement lawsuits, asserting its portfolio related to interactive electronic maps and store locator functionalities. Activemap LLC was founded in the early 2000s by an invention team with diverse experience in interface development, programming, and media, and it licenses its patent portfolio to companies across various industries. Vectis IP Ltd, a UK-based IP and technology licensing company, serves as Activemap's exclusive licensing partner. The patents in this campaign, including U.S. Patent No. 8,468,464, are asserted against companies for their use of interactive mapping ecosystems on retailer websites, which Activemap characterizes as foundational for store locator functionality. The specific case initially identified, Activemap LLC v. Unknown Defendant (2:26-cv-00159), was later revealed to be Activemap LLC v. Half Price Books Records Magazines, Incorporated, which was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice on April 22, 2026. However, Activemap LLC has filed similar suits against other defendants as part of a broader enforcement effort, such as cases against National Vision, Inc. (2:26-cv-00162) and Gap Inc. (2:26-cv-00170), both filed in February 2026 in the Eastern District of Texas.

The central patent in this litigation is U.S. Patent No. 8,468,464, titled "Interactive electronically presented map." This patent describes a system and method for displaying an interactive electronic map that simultaneously presents a map portion centered at specific coordinates, information on the map related to items in that geographic area, and query-responsive, user-selectable information displayed outside the map portion. The system is designed to update the displayed map and associated information in response to user selections. The accused products or services typically involve the interactive store locator features and digital mapping implementations found on the defendants' retail websites.

These cases are proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (EDTX), which is a historically significant and plaintiff-friendly venue for patent litigation known for its accelerated trial schedules. For example, Activemap LLC v. Gap Inc. (2:26-cv-00170) is assigned to District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III, and Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne. The selection of EDTX by an NPE like Activemap LLC is notable, as the district has seen a resurgence in patent filings after adapting its strategies post-TC Heartland, a Supreme Court decision that aimed to restrict patent venue options. The case is further notable due to Activemap LLC's assertion that its patents are foundational for digital maps, having been cited as prior art by major technology companies, and its history of successful enforcement actions, including favorable outcomes from German courts. Unified Patents has also identified and charted prior art against Activemap's asserted patents, including 8,468,464, indicating potential challenges to patent validity.

Activemap LLC v. Half Price Books, Records, Magazines, Incorporated - Key Legal Developments and Outcome

Case Caption: Activemap LLC v. Half Price Books, Records, Magazines, Incorporated
Case Number: 2:26-cv-00159
Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Patents at Issue: U.S. Patent 8,468,464, U.S. Patent 10,444,943, and U.S. Patent 10,908,782

This patent infringement lawsuit, filed by Activemap LLC, was a brief litigation that concluded with a voluntary dismissal.

Key Legal Developments:

• Filing of Complaint (2026-02-27): Activemap LLC initiated the lawsuit against Half Price Books, Records, Magazines, Incorporated, in the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint asserted infringement of U.S. Patent 8,468,464, along with U.S. Patent 10,444,943 and U.S. Patent 10,908,782.
• Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice (2026-04-22): Before any significant pre-trial motions or responsive pleadings were publicly recorded beyond the initial complaint, Activemap LLC filed a Notice of Dismissal. The Court acknowledged and accepted this notice, leading to the dismissal of all pending claims and causes of action without prejudice. The case was subsequently closed.

Outcome:

The case was dismissed without prejudice on April 22, 2026, at the request of the Plaintiff, Activemap LLC. This means Activemap LLC retains the right to refile the lawsuit against Half Price Books, Records, Magazines, Incorporated, at a later date if it chooses to do so.

Parallel PTAB IPR/PGR Proceedings:

As of the current date (2026-05-18), there are no publicly available records of any Inter Partes Review (IPR) or Post-Grant Review (PGR) proceedings filed against U.S. Patent 8,468,464, U.S. Patent 10,444,943, or U.S. Patent 10,908,782 at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) specifically initiated by Half Price Books, Records, Magazines, Incorporated, or concerning this particular case. However, it is noteworthy that Activemap LLC is identified as a Non-Practicing Entity (NPE) engaged in broader litigation, and prior art against U.S. Patent 8,468,464 has been identified by Unified Patents, which often precedes PTAB challenges.

Activemap LLC is represented by attorneys from Garteiser Honea PLLC in this patent infringement case.

The counsel of record for Activemap LLC are:

• Randall T. Garteiser

  • Role: Partner, Lead Counsel
  • Firm: Garteiser Honea PLLC, with offices including Tyler, Texas.
  • Experience Note: Mr. Garteiser is a trial attorney specializing in high-stakes intellectual property and business disputes. He previously litigated at Quinn Emanuel and clerked for a federal district court judge. He has handled disputes for clients involving various technologies, including smartphones, tablets, and software.

• Christopher A. Honea

  • Role: Partner, Lead Counsel
  • Firm: Garteiser HoneCPA PLLC, licensed in California and Texas.
  • Experience Note: Mr. Honea co-chairs the firm's Intellectual Property Litigation Group and has extensive experience in patent, trademark, trade secret, and copyright litigation. He notably represented i4i, Inc. in a patent infringement action against Microsoft, which resulted in a significant award. His practice areas include software, security, and computer architecture.

• Michael S. Fuller

  • Role: Attorney (Partner, based on firm structure)
  • Firm: Garteiser Honea PLLC.
  • Experience Note: Mr. Fuller has 25 years of experience in patent law, with practice areas encompassing biotech, computer architecture and software, and software/security. He has been involved in numerous cases before District Courts (DCT), the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC).

As of May 18, 2026, the counsel of record representing Half Price Books Records Magazines Inc. in Activemap LLC v. Half Price Books Records Magazines Inc., case number 2:26-cv-00159 in the Eastern District of Texas, has not been identified through public web searches of court dockets or legal news platforms.

Given the recent filing date of the case in 2026, it is possible that counsel has not yet formally appeared and entered their notice of appearance on the public docket, or that initial filings are sealed. Therefore, no specific attorneys, their roles, firms, office locations, or relevant patent litigation experience can be provided at this time.