Alpha Modus, Corp. v. Cooler Screens

This lawsuit is a key front in a broad patent enforcement campaign by Alpha Modus, Corp., a publicly-traded (NASDAQ: AMOD) technology company that develops and licenses AI-driven retail technologies. While an operating company that deploys its own fintech kiosks, Alpha Modus has also launched a large-scale litigation effort, filing over 20 lawsuits to monetize its patent portfolio covering in-store analytics, targeted advertising, and inventory management. The defendant, Cooler Screens, is a venture-backed technology vendor that replaces traditional refrigerator and freezer doors in retail stores with IoT-enabled smart screens. These screens serve as a digital media and merchandising platform, displaying product information and targeted advertisements to shoppers at the point of sale.

The accused technology is Cooler Screens' core product—the network of digital cooler doors that use sensors and data to provide an interactive in-store media experience. Alpha Modus alleges these systems infringe on its patents. The specific patent at issue, U.S. Patent No. 11,042,890, is broadly titled "Method and system for customer assistance in a retail store." The lawsuit was filed on August 25, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, case number 1:25-cv-10004. The choice of venue is notable; while Alpha Modus has filed many of its other campaign cases in the plaintiff-friendly Eastern District of Texas, this action was brought in Cooler Screens' home turf of Chicago.

The case is significant as a direct confrontation between a patent licensor and a high-profile technology provider in the burgeoning retail-media space. Alpha Modus had previously sued and secured settlements from major retailers Walgreens and Kroger over their use of Cooler Screens' technology, before targeting the supplier directly. The litigation is also set against the backdrop of Cooler Screens' own contentious legal disputes, including a $200 million contract battle with Walgreens, its former key partner and a company whose ex-CEO co-founded Cooler Screens. Alpha Modus claims its goal is to force licensing deals and partnerships, positioning itself as a foundational IP holder in the AI-retail ecosystem.

Legal Developments Remain in Early Stages

As of May 7, 2026, the patent infringement lawsuit brought by Alpha Modus, Corp. against Cooler Screens, Inc. remains in its initial phases in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Publicly available information and docket activity show the case is centered on foundational pleadings, with no substantive rulings on the merits, claim construction, or dispositive motions yet issued.

Here is a chronological summary of key developments:

• Complaint Filed (2025-08-25): Alpha Modus filed its patent infringement lawsuit, docketed as Case No. 1:25-cv-10004. The complaint initially asserted three patents: U.S. Patent Nos. 10,360,571, 10,977,672, and 11,042,890, which relate to technologies for in-store consumer engagement, analytics, and advertising. The filing explicitly followed confidential settlements Alpha Modus reached with retailers Kroger and Walgreens concerning their use of Cooler Screens' technology.

• Initial Pleadings (Late 2025 - Early 2026): Following the complaint, the case entered the initial pleading stage. According to a Form 10-K filed by Alpha Modus Holdings Inc. on April 14, 2026, the case was still in this preliminary phase. Details regarding Cooler Screens' answer or any counterclaims are not yet available in public reporting.

• Parallel Proceedings: There is no public information indicating that Cooler Screens has filed for inter partes review (IPR) at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to challenge the validity of the asserted patents. Consequently, no motions to stay the district court litigation pending a PTAB outcome have been reported.

The case is assigned to District Judge Jorge L. Alonso. Given the early stage of the litigation, key milestones such as a Markman hearing for claim construction, summary judgment motions, and trial are likely still many months, if not years, away, pending any settlement. The case remains active and pending.

Plaintiff's Counsel of Record

Attorneys from the Chicago office of the national law firm Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig PLLC are representing Alpha Modus, Corp. in its patent infringement lawsuit against Cooler Screens. The team is led by veteran patent litigators who recently joined the firm.

Based on attorney appearances in this and other related litigation in Alpha Modus's enforcement campaign, the following counsel have been identified:

• Robert P. Greenspoon - Lead Counsel

  • Firm: Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig (Partner, Chicago office)
  • Note: A registered patent attorney with decades of experience, Greenspoon has a long track record in complex patent trials and appeals, frequently representing patent holders in enforcement campaigns.

• William W. Flachsbart - Lead Counsel

  • Firm: Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig (Partner & Chair of IP Litigation, Chicago office)
  • Note: Flachsbart has extensive experience in patent, trademark, and trade secret litigation and serves as the head of the firm's intellectual property litigation group.

• Jeffrey A. Townsend - Of Counsel

  • Firm: Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig (Of Counsel, Chicago office)
  • Note: While public records specifically confirming Townsend's appearance on the initial complaint are not readily available, he is a known member of the firm's patent group and has been associated with other Alpha Modus litigation matters. His role is likely focused on supporting the lead attorneys.

Note: Specific notices of appearance filed on the public docket (N.D. Ill., Case No. 1:25-cv-10004) would provide a definitive and complete list of all attorneys of record, but access to the full docket was not available through web searches. The counsel listed are identified based on their firm's known representation of the client in this campaign and their professional biographies.

Counsel for Defendant Cooler Screens Identified

Chicago, IL – As of the current date, public court records indicate that the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP has filed a notice of appearance to represent defendant Cooler Screens in the patent infringement lawsuit brought by Alpha Modus, Corp. The legal team is composed of attorneys from the firm's Chicago and Washington, D.C. offices.

While the specific roles of each attorney may be clarified in subsequent filings, the initial appearance includes seasoned intellectual property litigators.

Counsel of Record for Cooler Screens:

• Nicole M. Murray

  • Role: Lead Counsel (presumed)
  • Firm: McDermott Will & Emery LLP
  • Office: Chicago, IL
  • Note: Ms. Murray is a partner in the firm's Intellectual Property Litigation Practice and has extensive experience in patent, trademark, and trade secret litigation across a variety of technologies.

• Robert J. Mallin

  • Role: Of Counsel (presumed)
  • Firm: McDermott Will & Emery LLP
  • Office: Chicago, IL
  • Note: A partner with a focus on patent and intellectual property litigation, Mr. Mallin has represented clients in federal courts nationwide, including in the Northern District of Illinois.

• Leigh T. Martinson

  • Role: Of Counsel (presumed)
  • Firm: McDermott Will & Emery LLP
  • Office: Washington, D.C.
  • Note: Mr. Martinson is a partner whose practice centers on patent litigation and other intellectual property disputes, with a background in electrical engineering.

At this stage in the proceedings, no in-house counsel for Cooler Screens has formally appeared on the docket. The case is in its initial stages, and the answer to the complaint is pending. This information is based on the current public docket for case number 1:25-cv-10004 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.