Carmax Drives off with Victory in Patent Suit
Written December 12, 2019
The US District Court for the District of Massachusetts on November 27, 2019, granted CarMax Auto Superstores, Inc.’s motion to dismiss in patent infringement action concerning a “virtual phone” interface that makes it easier to access smartphones while driving. KCG Techs. LLC v. CarMax Auto Superstores Inc., D. Mass., No. 1:19-cv-11101, 11/27/19.
KCG Technologies LLC sued CarMax for infringing U.S. Patent No. 9,671,955, covering a mounted touchscreen that emulates a smartphone interface. The court found that the patent was drawn to the abstract idea of “emulating the features of a smartphone or other handheld device on another screen,” and only recited the “desired function” without outlining a particular way to perform it.