Dead Air Armament, LLC d/b/a Dead Air Silencers v. Jarvis Arms LLC d/b/a Mission Silencers

This case involves a patent dispute between two manufacturers of firearm suppressors, also known as silencers. The plaintiff, Dead Air Armament, LLC, doing business as Dead Air Silencers, is a well-known operating company that designs and manufactures suppressors, emphasizing quality, durability, and multi-caliber designs since its founding in 2014. The defendant, Jarvis Arms LLC, operating as Mission Silencers, is also a licensed gun dealer and firearms manufacturer based in Rexburg, Idaho, specializing in next-level engineering performance gun suppressors. Dead Air Armament initiated this action seeking a declaratory judgment of non-infringement, after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from Jarvis Arms LLC asserting that Dead Air's suppressors infringe its patent. Specifically, the demand letter accused Dead Air's RXD22Ti suppressor of infringing at least Claim 1 of the asserted patent.

The sole patent at issue is U.S. Patent No. 12,018,906, titled "Firearm Suppression System." This patent generally describes a system designed to reduce sound, recoil, and back gassing in firearms, often featuring multi-functional designs compatible with a wide range of calibers. The case is currently before the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, under Case No. 4:25-cv-00497. Presiding over the case is U.S. Magistrate Judge Debora K. Grasham, with the case also referred to U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill. The chosen venue, Idaho, is the location of the defendant, Jarvis Arms LLC.

This case is notable due to the direct competition between two operating companies in the niche firearm suppressor market, where innovation and design are key. The procedural posture is particularly significant as the district court promptly stayed the litigation on November 6, 2025, pending the final resolution of a related inter partes review (IPR) proceeding concerning the '906 patent. This IPR, identified as IPR2026-00013, was filed by Dead Air Silencers against Jarvis Arms LLC on October 23, 2025, indicating that Dead Air is challenging the validity of the asserted patent at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) while simultaneously defending against infringement claims in district court. The outcome of the IPR will likely have a determinative impact on the district court litigation, as it addresses the validity of the very patent Dead Air is accused of infringing.

Key Legal Developments and Outcome in Dead Air Armament v. Jarvis Arms

The patent infringement litigation Dead Air Armament, LLC d/b/a Dead Air Silencers v. Jarvis Arms LLC d/b/a Mission Silencers, Case No. 4:25-cv-00497 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, is currently stayed pending the outcome of a related inter partes review (IPR) proceeding at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Here is a chronological overview of the key legal developments:

1. Filing & Initial Pleadings:

• Complaint for Declaratory Judgment (2025-08-29): Dead Air Armament, LLC, doing business as Dead Air Silencers, initiated the lawsuit by filing a complaint seeking a declaratory judgment of non-infringement of U.S. Patent No. 12,018,906.
• Defendant's Answer and Counterclaims (2025-08-29): Jarvis Arms LLC, doing business as Mission Silencers, filed its Answer to Dead Air's complaint and asserted counterclaims for infringement of the '906 patent. The docket indicates a modification to the document title on October 14, 2025.
• Plaintiff's Answer to Counterclaims (2025-11-03): Dead Air Armament filed its Answer and Affirmative Defenses to Jarvis Arms' counterclaims.

2. Pre-trial Motions of Substance:

• Referral Order (2025-09-26): All matters in the case were referred to United States Magistrate Judge Debora K. Grasham, and the case number was updated to 4:25-cv-00497-DKG.
• Unopposed Motion to Stay Proceedings (Filed by 2025-10-31): Jarvis Arms LLC filed an Unopposed Motion to Stay Proceedings Pending Inter Partes Review (Dkt. 18), which Dead Air Armament did not oppose.
• Order Granting Stay (2025-11-06): The District Court granted the Unopposed Motion to Stay. All proceedings in the district court case are stayed pending the final resolution of the parallel IPR proceeding at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, including the exhaustion of any appeals.

3. Parallel PTAB IPR Proceedings:

• IPR Filing: Dead Air Armament, LLC, filed an inter partes review petition challenging the patentability of U.S. Patent No. 12,018,906. The IPR proceeding is identified as IPR2026-00013. This IPR was cited by Jarvis Arms as the basis for its motion to stay the district court litigation.
• IPR Status: As of May 15, 2026, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board has not yet instituted IPR2026-00013. The "Patent Trial and Appeal Case Tracking System" (P-TACTS) shows the current status as "Petition Filed." A decision on institution is pending.

4. Current Posture:

The District Court case, 4:25-cv-00497, remains stayed pending the final resolution of IPR2026-00013, including any appeals. The parties are required to file a joint status report within fourteen days of the PTAB's decision on the IPR. No claim construction, discovery, or trial events have occurred due to the early stay.

Counsel of Record for Dead Air Armament, LLC

Plaintiff Dead Air Armament, LLC d/b/a Dead Air Silencers is represented by attorneys from Alston & Bird LLP and Beard St. Clair Gaffney PA.

Here is the breakdown of the counsel:

• Ross R. Barton

  • Role: Lead Counsel (pro hac vice)
  • Firm: Alston & Bird LLP, Charlotte, NC
  • Relevant Experience Note: Involved in filing an Answer and Affirmative Defenses on behalf of Dead Air Armament, LLC.

• Sierra Weingartner

  • Role: Lead Counsel (pro hac vice)
  • Firm: Alston & Bird LLP, Charlotte, NC
  • Relevant Experience Note: Involved in filing an Answer and Affirmative Defenses on behalf of Dead Air Armament, LLC.

• Jeffrey D. Brunson

  • Role: Local Counsel
  • Firm: Beard St. Clair Gaffney PA, jeff@beardstclair.com (office location not specified in the provided document snippet, but presumably Idaho as local counsel)
  • Relevant Experience Note: Certifies service of documents to all counsel of record.

• Kessler M. Baker

  • Role: Local Counsel
  • Firm: Beard St. Clair Gaffney PA, kbaker@beardstclair.com (office location not specified in the provided document snippet, but presumably Idaho as local counsel)
  • Relevant Experience Note: Certifies service of documents to all counsel of record.

• Tyler J. Anderson

  • Role: Counsel
  • Firm: Not explicitly stated with firm in the provided snippet, but signed the document on behalf of the plaintiff.
  • Relevant Experience Note: Signed the Answer and Affirmative Defenses for Dead Air Armament, LLC.

The defendant, Jarvis Arms LLC d/b/a Mission Silencers, is represented by the following counsel:

• Jeffrey D. Brunson

  • Role: Counsel of record
  • Firm: Beard St. Clair Gaffney PA
  • Office Location: While the docket does not explicitly state an office location, Beard St. Clair Gaffney PA has an office in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
  • Relevant Experience: The provided search results do not contain a one-line note on specific patent litigation experience or notable past cases for Mr. Brunson.

• Kessler M. Baker

  • Role: Counsel of record
  • Firm: Beard St. Clair Gaffney PA
  • Office Location: Similar to Mr. Brunson, the docket does not explicitly state an office location, but Beard St. Clair Gaffney PA has an office in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
  • Relevant Experience: The provided search results do not contain a one-line note on specific patent litigation experience or notable past cases for Mr. Baker.