The parties and the court

The case is Minotaur Systems LLC v. DriveTime Automotive Group Inc., No. 4:26-cv-01344 (N.D. Tex., Fort Worth Division), filed October 20, 2026, a 5-page complaint for patent infringement with a jury demand. The complaint describes Minotaur as a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in New York, New York, and DriveTime as a Delaware corporation with an established place of business in Fort Worth, Texas. Venue is pleaded under 28 U.S.C. 1400(b). The docket assigns the case to Judge Mark Pittman.

The patent

U.S. Patent 9,652,023, titled Power Management System, issued May 16, 2017, from Application No. 12/508,789, filed July 24, 2009. The complaint says Minotaur is the assignee of all right, title, and interest.

What the lawsuit alleges

Count 1 alleges that DriveTime directly infringes one or more claims of the '023 patent, literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, by making, using, offering to sell, selling, or importing the products identified in claim charts attached as Exhibit 2, and by having its employees internally test and use those products. It alleges, on information and belief, that numerous other devices that infringe the claims have been made, used, sold, imported, and offered for sale by DriveTime and/or its customers. It says service of the complaint and charts gives DriveTime actual knowledge of infringement, alleges, on information and belief, that DriveTime continues to sell the products and distribute product literature and website materials that induce end users to use them in an infringing way, and alleges induced infringement at least since service. The exemplary claims and products appear only in Exhibit 2, which is not available.

Relief sought

Minotaur asks for a judgment that the patent is valid and enforceable and has been infringed directly and indirectly, damages under 35 U.S.C. 284 with interest and costs, an accounting, and, if necessary to adequately compensate it, a finding that the case is exceptional under 35 U.S.C. 285 with attorneys' fees, together with costs and expenses and further relief. It demands a jury.

Minotaur has asserted the '023 patent in earlier suits in the Eastern District of Texas, Nos. 2:23-cv-00344, 2:25-cv-00640, 2:26-cv-00478, 2:26-cv-00479, 2:26-cv-00480, 2:26-cv-00908, and 2:26-cv-00909. The dockets in Nos. 2:23-cv-00344, 2:25-cv-00640, 2:26-cv-00478, 2:26-cv-00479, and 2:26-cv-00480 show orders dismissing those cases.

What to watch next

Watch for service and DriveTime's answer or other response. The case can end at any time, including by settlement or voluntary dismissal.