Assignment history

Inventors

The sole inventor listed for US patent 9491564 is Gregory G. Raleigh. While his employer at the time of filing is not explicitly stated in the patent text, the original assignee, Headwater Partners I LLC, is presumed to be his employer or the entity to which the rights were assigned upon creation.

Original assignee

The entity named on the issued patent is Headwater Partners I LLC. Based on the available patent text and subsequent assignment records, Headwater Partners I LLC appears to be an entity involved in patent acquisition and management. The patent does not describe Headwater Partners I LLC as shipping products embodying the claims, nor does it detail its primary line of business beyond patent ownership. Its current status is that it merged into or changed its name to Headwater Research LLC on January 4, 2017, transferring all rights to Headwater Research LLC (Reel 035252/0120).

Assignment timeline

• 2017-01-04 (executed) / recorded 2017-01-09 — Reel 035252/0120

  • Conveyance: MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME
  • Assignor: HEADWATER MANAGEMENT LLC, HEADWATER PARTNERS I LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • Correspondent: MICHAEL J. FEGIN, FOLEY & LARDNER LLP, 2021 MCKINNEY AVENUE, SUITE 1600, DALLAS TX 75201-2292.
  • Context: Internal reorganization and change of name, transferring ownership to Headwater Research LLC.

• 2017-01-04 (executed) / recorded 2017-01-09 — Reel 035252/0122

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER PARTNERS I LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • Correspondent: MICHAEL J. FEGIN, FOLEY & LARDNER LLP, 2021 MCKINNEY AVENUE, SUITE 1600, DALLAS TX 75201-2292. This correspondent also appears on Reel 035252/0120.
  • Context: Formal assignment of patent rights to the successor entity, Headwater Research LLC, as part of an internal reorganization.

• 2017-02-17 (executed) / recorded 2017-02-23 — Reel 038059/0675

  • Conveyance: SECURITY AGREEMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • Assignee: VL FUNDING LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent appears for the first time in this chain.
  • Context: Grant of a security interest in the patent to secure financing.

• 2017-07-27 (executed) / recorded 2017-08-07 — Reel 040777/0656

  • Conveyance: AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • Assignee: VL FUNDING LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Modification of the terms of the existing security agreement.

• 2018-06-20 (executed) / recorded 2018-07-06 — Reel 046397/0891

  • Conveyance: PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: VL FUNDING LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Partial release of the security interest held by VL Funding LLC.

• 2019-06-12 (executed) / recorded 2019-06-19 — Reel 052441/0001

  • Conveyance: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: VL FUNDING LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Full release of the security interest held by VL Funding LLC.

• 2020-03-31 (executed) / recorded 2020-04-03 — Reel 062638/0336

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Transfer of patent ownership to an IP holding entity.

• 2020-03-31 (executed) / recorded 2020-04-03 — Reel 062638/0335

  • Conveyance: SECURITY AGREEMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Assignee: VL FUNDING LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Grant of a new security interest by the IP holding entity to secure financing.

• 2020-07-27 (executed) / recorded 2020-08-04 — Reel 063991/0949

  • Conveyance: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: VL FUNDING LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Release of the security interest from Headwater IP LLC.

• 2020-07-27 (executed) / recorded 2020-08-04 — Reel 063991/0950

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Patent ownership transferred back to Headwater Research LLC.

• 2020-11-20 (executed) / recorded 2020-12-07 — Reel 066531/0688

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Transfer of patent ownership to Headwater IP LLC.

• 2020-11-20 (executed) / recorded 2020-12-07 — Reel 066531/0687

  • Conveyance: SECURITY AGREEMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Assignee: VL FUNDING LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Grant of a new security interest by Headwater IP LLC.

• 2021-02-16 (executed) / recorded 2021-02-23 — Reel 067756/0166

  • Conveyance: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: VL FUNDING LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Release of the security interest from Headwater IP LLC.

• 2021-02-16 (executed) / recorded 2021-02-23 — Reel 067756/0167

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Patent ownership transferred back to Headwater Research LLC.

• 2022-03-31 (executed) / recorded 2022-04-06 — Reel 073998/0607

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Transfer of patent ownership to Headwater IP LLC.

• 2022-03-31 (executed) / recorded 2022-04-06 — Reel 073998/0606

  • Conveyance: SECURITY AGREEMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Assignee: VL FUNDING LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Grant of a new security interest by Headwater IP LLC.

• 2022-06-21 (executed) / recorded 2022-06-27 — Reel 075191/0073

  • Conveyance: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: VL FUNDING LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Release of the security interest from Headwater IP LLC.

• 2022-06-21 (executed) / recorded 2022-06-27 — Reel 075191/0074

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Patent ownership transferred back to Headwater Research LLC.

• 2023-04-04 (executed) / recorded 2023-04-12 — Reel 079361/0867

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Transfer of patent ownership to Headwater IP LLC.

• 2023-04-04 (executed) / recorded 2023-04-12 — Reel 079361/0866

  • Conveyance: SECURITY AGREEMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Assignee: VL FUNDING LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Grant of a new security interest by Headwater IP LLC.

• 2023-06-26 (executed) / recorded 2023-07-05 — Reel 080345/0001

  • Conveyance: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: VL FUNDING LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Release of the security interest from Headwater IP LLC.

• 2023-06-26 (executed) / recorded 2023-07-05 — Reel 080345/0002

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: HEADWATER IP LLC
  • Assignee: HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC
  • Correspondent: ALAN D. GOLDSTEIN, PATTISHALL, MCAULIFFE, NEWBURY, HILLIARD & GERALDSON LLP, 311 S WACKER DR SUITE 5000, CHICAGO IL 60606. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Patent ownership transferred back to Headwater Research LLC.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 9491564
    2016 : Filed & Issued
    2017 : Assigned to Headwater Research LLC
         : Security agreement to VL Funding
         : Amendment to security agreement
    2018 : Partial release of security
    2019 : Release of security
    2020 : Assigned to Headwater IP LLC
         : Security agreement to VL Funding
         : Release of security
         : Assigned to Headwater Research LLC
         : Assigned to Headwater IP LLC
         : Security agreement to VL Funding
    2021 : Release of security
         : Assigned to Headwater Research LLC
    2022 : Assigned to Headwater IP LLC
         : Security agreement to VL Funding
         : Release of security
         : Assigned to Headwater Research LLC
    2023 : Assigned to Headwater IP LLC
         : Security agreement to VL Funding
         : Release of security
         : Assigned to Headwater Research LLC
    2025 : Litigation initiated
    2026 : IPR filed

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Present. The repeated assignment of the patent from Headwater Research LLC to Headwater IP LLC (e.g., Reel 062638/0336, executed 2020-03-31; Reel 066531/0688, executed 2020-11-20; Reel 073998/0607, executed 2022-03-31; Reel 079361/0867, executed 2023-04-04), where "IP LLC" is a common suffix for patent holding or licensing entities, is a strong indicator of a shell entity being used for managing patent rights, often for assertion or financing purposes.

2. Known asserter in the chain — Unclear. Headwater Research LLC is not explicitly listed among the provided examples of known NPEs. However, the fact that Unified Patents, an anti-NPE organization, has filed an Inter Partes Review (IPR2026-00271) against this patent, combined with the multiple concurrent litigation cases filed in 2025 (e.g., Texas Eastern District Court case 2:25-cv-00710), strongly indicates that Headwater Research LLC is an active patent asserter.

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Present. Alan D. Goldstein of Pattishall, McAuliffe, Newbury, Hilliard & Geraldson LLP is the correspondent of record for almost all recorded assignments, security agreements, and releases from 2017-02-17 (Reel 038059/0675) through the most recent assignment in 2023-06-26 (Reel 080345/0002). This consistent recurrence across numerous transactions in the chain is a strong signal.

4. Cascading transfers — Present. The assignment timeline shows a consistent pattern of transfers between Headwater Research LLC and Headwater IP LLC, often followed or preceded by security agreements with VL Funding LLC and subsequent releases, all occurring within relatively short periods (e.g., assignments to and from Headwater IP LLC occurring multiple times between 2020 and 2023). These recurring transfers and associated financial arrangements demonstrate cascading transfers.

5. Pre-litigation transfer — Present. While not necessarily within 6 months of every litigation filing, the continuous and recurring transfers of ownership (often involving Headwater IP LLC and VL Funding LLC) throughout 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 (e.g., Reel 080345/0002, executed 2023-06-26, placing the patent with Headwater Research LLC) precede the multiple infringement suits filed in 2025. This pattern suggests that the ownership structure was actively managed and arranged in the period leading up to and likely in preparation for assertion.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Not present. There is no indication of any assignor or assignee filing for bankruptcy and the patent being sold as a result.

7. Privateering — Unclear. The assignment records do not contain sufficient information to determine if an operating company transferred the patent to an NPE to assert on its behalf against competitors.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The current assignee is Headwater Research LLC, which is involved in multiple litigations as an asserting entity. The chain does not terminate at a known defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence

This verdict is driven by several strong signals. The repeated transfers to "HEADWATER IP LLC" (e.g., Reel 062638/0336, executed 2020-03-31), an entity strongly suggestive of an IP holding company, combined with the consistent involvement of a single correspondent, Alan D. Goldstein, across numerous transactions (e.g., Reel 038059/0675 onwards), and the pattern of cascading transfers related to security agreements with VL Funding LLC, all point to a sophisticated patent assertion strategy. Furthermore, the fact that Unified Patents, an anti-NPE organization, has filed an IPR against this patent reinforces the high confidence assessment.

USPTO Assignment Center search page for US9491564: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/