The complaint

The case is Shenzhen Chitado Technology Co., Ltd. v. Howling Moto LLC, No. 1:26-cv-13032 (N.D. Ill.), filed October 22, 2026 and assigned to Judge Franklin U. Valderrama. Chitado is a Chinese company based in Shenzhen that the complaint says designs, makes, and sells electric riding devices, including under its GYROOR brand. Howling Moto is an Illinois limited liability company based in Spring Grove, Illinois that the complaint says sells the accused WINDHORSE C2 Cargo, C3, and C3 Max models through its online storefront. Venue is pleaded under 28 U.S.C. 1400(b). The complaint is signed by Wei Wang of Glacier Law LLP.

The patents

U.S. Patent 12,649,534, "Electric Riding Device," issued June 9, 2026. Claim 15, which the complaint quotes as representative, covers an electric riding device with a frame body defining a flat support plate, front and rear wheels, handlebars, a seat, and a power device, where the frame includes a storage cavity longer than it is wide or tall, bounded by removable left and right sidewalls rising from the edges of the support plate and open at the top, with left and right footrests mounted nearer the front of the support plate than the rear. The complaint asserts claims 1 to 4 and 6 to 15.

U.S. Patent 12,595,012, also titled "Electric Riding Device," issued April 7, 2026. Claim 7 covers an electric riding device whose frame has a flat base portion with raised front and rear portions supporting the head tube and the seat, a storage basket removably installed on the frame with a contact surface that sits flat on the base portion, and left and right footrests mounted nearer the front of the base portion than the rear. The complaint asserts claims 1 to 2 and 4 to 7 and alleges Chitado is the assignee and owner of all substantial rights in both patents.

The Chitado campaign

The complaint identifies a related case on the same patents and WINDHORSE models, Shenzhen Chitado Technology Co., Ltd. v. Windhorse Technologies Inc., No. 1:26-cv-09457 (N.D. Ill.), before Judge LaShonda A. Hunt. On October 18, 2026, Chitado filed Shenzhen Chitado Technology Co., Ltd. v. EKU Inc., No. 2:26-cv-06693 (E.D.N.Y.), with the same two patents and claim charts for the C2 Cargo, C3, and C3 Max as exhibits. On October 23, 2026, Chitado also filed Shenzhen Chitado Technology Co., Ltd. v. X Future LLC, No. 4:26-cv-01568 (E.D. Tex.), on the same two patents.

The relief sought

Chitado asks for a judgment of infringement, preliminary and permanent injunctions, damages of no less than a reasonable royalty, an accounting, a finding of willfulness to the extent established, attorneys' fees under 35 U.S.C. 285, and costs. Chitado demands a jury trial.

What to watch next

Watch for service and Howling Moto's answer or Rule 12 motion, any motion for a preliminary injunction, and any motion to reassign or relate the case to the Windhorse action.