Inventor Claims Samsung ‘SmartThings Find’ App Infringes Patents

Mullen Industries LLC accused Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd of incorporating a lone inventor’s protected ideas without permission into the “SmartThings Find” app that lets Galaxy smartphone and tablet users safely share their locations and pinpoint others on Google Maps, according to a new lawsuit.

Jeff Mullen—founder of Mullen Industries—accused Samsung of violating nine patents that have been cited in US Patent Office proceedings “well over 100 times,” according to a complaint filed Jan. 26 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Mullen said he “conducted one or more meetings” with Samsung or its representatives before filing ...