Epic Defeats Another Prolific Patent Troll, Protecting Members of the Epic Community From Vexatious Patent Litigation 

On December 2, 2022, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida granted Epic Systems Corporation's motion for judgment on the pleadings, invalidating both patents owned by Decapolis Systems, LLC, a litigious non-practicing entity (NPE or “patent troll”). The Court held that U.S. Patent Nos. 7,490,048 and 7,464,040 are invalid under 35 U.S.C. § 101.  Decapolis had sued multiple Epic customers contending that use of Epic's software infringed the two patents.  Epic not only vigorously defended its customers in their cases, but also proactively sued Decapolis in the Southern District of Florida--Decapolis' hometown--seeking a declaratory judgment that both patents are invalid and not infringed by use of Epic's software.  Epic also sought stays of the customer cases so that its customers would be shielded from the heavy distraction of litigation. 

The court's order effectively puts an end to Decapolis' ongoing threat to Epic’s customers and the entire healthcare industry.  Epic stood out as a relentless fighter in the Decapolis war.  While 24 other entities--including other EHR vendors--entered into settlement agreements with Decapolis, Epic stood firm. “As we have demonstrated in the past, and will continue to demonstrate in the future, we will not back down to patent trolls looking to shake down Epic or our customers,” said Epic Senior Vice President Stirling Martin.

Epic was represented by Quarles & Brady LLP's Kristin Graham Noel, Matthew J. Duchemin, Kelli Edson, Bryce Loken and Lauren Bolcar.  The case is Epic Systems Corporation v. Decapolis Systems LLC, Case No. 22-80173-CV-Middlebrooks (S.D. Fla.).