Oracle Sues Lodsys, Seeks to Invalidate Patents

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. — Patent troll Lodsys Group, which last month sued five adult entertainment companies alleging infringement, must respond to a declaratory complaint waged by software giant Oracle.

In a suit filed on Friday, Oracle is asking a federal court in Milwaukee to invalidate four Lodsys patents, including U.S. Patent No. 7,222,078, which is at center of a complaint against the five adult companies.

Lodsys last month named as defendants RK Netmedia, Playboy Enterprises, Vouyer Media, Score Internet Group and FriendFinder Networks' Penthouse in a consolidated suit over the "078" patent.

For more than a year, and continuing today, Lodsys has sent out scores of demand letters to adult entertainment companies asking them to license its patent, which purports to provide interactive "methods and systems for gathering information from units of a commodity across a network," including interactive online advertisements, subscription models and data collection.

The suit against the five adult entertainment companies points to specific websites where Lodsys has found violations. The sites named with the defendant companies include Playboy.com, RealityKings.com, Score's 18Eighteen.com, VoyeurMedia.com and Penthouse.com.

While the adult companies are not parties to Oracle's declaratory suit against Lodsys, the latest legal volley could help adult companies navigate through the patent troll's demands.  

Oracle said in the complaint that Lodsys “has repeatedly threatened numerous Oracle customers” — Walgreen Co., Recreational Equipment and Epicor — over the use of web features Lodsys claims to own and that those customers claim that Oracle is obligated to indemnify them with respects to the suit.

Oracle counsel in the suit said that the "078" patent is invalid because they can produce nearly 50 similar patents that offer "prior art."  If an invention has been described in prior art, a patent on that invention is not valid.

Oracle's 16-page complaint asks the court to declare invalid the "078" patent and three others — U.S. Patent Nos. 5,999,908; 7,133,834; and 7,620,565 — because they fail to meet the conditions of patentability.

View Oracle's complaint

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Roxie Rae Relaunches Site Through XSiteAbility

Roxie Rae has relaunched her site through XSiteAbility.

Federal Appeals Court Vacates FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Pending Review

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Tuesday vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions, pending further review.

NYC Adult Stores Lose Challenge to Zoning Law, May Face Relocation

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit on Tuesday upheld a lower court’s decision to allow enforcement of a 2001 zoning law aimed at forcing adult retail stores out of most parts of New York City.

FSC Drops Florida AV Lawsuit in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

A U.S. district court judge granted on Tuesday a motion by Free Speech Coalition to dismiss the trade association’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, a case that had been on hold pending the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the constitutionality of state AV laws.

Ukrainian President Responds to Porn Legalization Petition

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded Tuesday to an OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine, stating that he would wait for the legislative process to play out “in accordance with established procedure.”

Only Tax Deductions Joins Pineapple Support as Sponsor

Adult industry accounting firm Only Tax Deductions has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Adult Empire Launches 'Conversations' Podcast Series

Adult Empire has launched a new official podcast series hosted by Nicole Chappelle and Charlie.

Sex Work CEO Launches 'Teams Plan' for AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Teams Plan for its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Show More