The complaint

The case is GG Technologies Inc. d/b/a StayTouch v. Apple Inc., No. 6:26-cv-00701 (W.D. Tex., Waco Division), filed November 3, 2026, ECF No. 1 (21 pages). The complaint demands a jury trial. StayTouch is described as a Santa Monica, California technology company. Apple is alleged to be a California corporation with headquarters in Cupertino, California, and regular and established places of business in Austin, Texas. The complaint says the '009 patent issued on the same day the complaint was filed.

What the patent covers

U.S. Patent 12,784,009, titled Method and System for Proximity-Based Contact Transfer, issued November 3, 2026. The patent names Gaurav Goel as inventor and GG Technologies Inc. as assignee, and it issued from a continuation of the application that became U.S. Patent 12,022,369. Claim 13, which the complaint treats as representative of Apple's alleged direct infringement of the independent claims, recites a computing device with a display screen, a central processing unit executing a mobile application that provides a graphical user interface, and an antenna for proximity-based communication, where the processor automatically scans to identify exchange devices within a predetermined range, filters the scanned devices, selects at least one for presentation on the interface, and directly exchanges at least a profile identification and a user ID with the selected devices without manually pairing them, thereby prompting the selected device to display a second user interface for accepting two-way communication to exchange digital contact information. (Compl. para. 69; U.S. Patent 12,784,009 front page and claim 13.)

Claim 1 is a computer-based method for contactless exchange of digital information that includes automatically scanning via an antenna for exchange devices within a predetermined range, identifying at least one scanned device to initiate proximity-based communication, exchanging profile and user IDs without manual pairing, prompting a user interface for accepting two-way communication, receiving acceptance input, and maintaining logical connections between user profiles in a central-server database. Claim 7 is a system claim covering a user device, exchange devices, and a central server with similar scan, filter, select, and direct-exchange limitations. Dependent claims 14 to 17, asserted for direct infringement with claim 13, add a Bluetooth low energy antenna, a three-hundred-foot range, selection based on a received signal strength indicator, and receiving a script file from a central server to pull profile-change updates. (U.S. Patent 12,784,009 claims 1, 7, 14 to 17.)

What the lawsuit alleges

StayTouch alleges that Apple makes, uses, offers to sell, sells, and/or imports iPhones and Apple Watches that provide NameDrop, defined as devices running iOS 17.1 or later or watchOS 10.1 or later (the Infringing Products), and that those acts constitute direct infringement of at least claims 13 to 17. It also alleges induced and contributory infringement of at least claims 1, 7, and 13, including through instructions and marketing that direct users to activate NameDrop by bringing devices into proximity. It alleges willful infringement and says Apple has been aware of StayTouch and prior StayTouch patent assertions, including W.D. Tex. No. 6:26-cv-00237 on U.S. Patent 12,022,369 and ITC Investigation No. 337-TA-1520 on the '369 patent. The complaint says the earlier case is stayed under 28 U.S.C. § 1659 because of the ITC investigation, and the docket in No. 6:26-cv-00237 shows the case stayed on September 15, 2026. The complaint says the '009 patent has not been asserted anywhere else and that there is no basis to stay this case. (Compl. paras. 7, 16 to 23, 69 to 98.)

The single count seeks damages, a preliminary and permanent injunction, treble damages, and a declaration that the case is exceptional under 35 U.S.C. § 285. (Compl. Count I; Prayer.)

What to watch next

Watch for a summons request and service, Apple's answer or other response, and whether Apple asks for a stay. The docket through November 3, 2026, shows the complaint, a Rule 7 disclosure statement, an AO 120 form, and a case-assignment minute entry. Any case can end at any time, including by settlement or voluntary dismissal.