Uber Loses Bid to Toss Patent Claims on Location-Tracking Tech

Uber Technologies Inc. failed to convince a federal judge in Texas to dismiss claims that its ride-hailing app directly infringes—and, through the app’s use of smartphones, jointly infringes—four patents related to GPS location and monitoring technology.

Judge Alan Albright rejected Uber’s arguments that LBT IP II LLC’s complaint fails to meet the minimum pleading requirements, according to an opinion issued Tuesday in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas.

Along with its claims of direct and joint infringement, the suit alleges that Uber’s platform induces drivers and riders to infringe the patents by “continuing to encourage ...