This page tracks Near Field Electronics LLC's Eastern District of Texas retail NFC wave. The detailed discussion covers the Yankee Candle complaint, which alleges past use of NFC payment-reader components. The other retailer cases are listed as campaign context only.
September 8 filings
| Forum | Case / investigation | Filing summarized | Next watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| E.D. Tex. Sherman | Near Field Electronics LLC v. The Yankee Candle Company, Inc., No. 4:26-cv-01231 | Complaint alleges expired USB and signal patents against NFC reader use. | Watch answers, early motions, and damages-window arguments. |
| E.D. Tex. Sherman | Related retail NFC suits | Related same-day suits against other retailers. | Watch answers and early motions in each case. |
What patents and claims are in the Yankee Candle complaint
The Yankee Candle complaint identifies U.S. Patents 6,691,201; 6,742,071; 6,959,350; 6,996,727; and 7,373,531. Paragraphs 52 and 53 identify claim 2 of the 7,373,531 patent and allege that the 7,373,531 patent expired on March 19, 2026.
The patent sources linked below provide the patent text for the five Yankee Candle patents.
What products are accused
The Yankee Candle complaint alleges use of NFC front-end components, including NXP PN512 components, in connection with NFC payment transactions. Those are allegations, not findings.
What to watch next for the campaign
Watch answers and early motions, whether defendants coordinate, and whether the other complaints match or differ from the Yankee Candle patent list and NFC-reader theory.