Macy’s, Other Furniture Sellers Beat Suit Over Cup Holder Patent

Bob’s Discount Furniture LLC, Macy’s Inc., and Costco Wholesale Corp. have beaten a patent lawsuit over furniture cup holders.

Raffel Systems LLC sued the retailers in October, alleging they sell sofas, recliners, and other furniture with a cup holder that infringes U.S. Patent No. 11,089,701. The suit followed a similar complaint against the retailers’ supplier, Man Wah Holdings Ltd.

A judge in the Man Wah case found the cup holders don’t infringe several related Raffel patents. Bob’s Discount Furniture, Macy’s, and Costco argued Raffel was “looking for a do-over” by suing them over the same cup holders.

Magistrate ...