On April 30, 2025, BridgeComm LLC filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Cree Lighting USA LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The suit accuses Cree Lighting of violating two of BridgeComm’s patents related to variable-effect lighting systems, a growing segment within advanced lighting and smart building solutions.
Patents at the Center of the Dispute
The patents in question—U.S. Patent No. 8,203,275 and U.S. Patent No. 8,390,206—are both titled “Variable-effect lighting system.” These patents, dating back to applications filed in 2006 and 2012 respectively, focus on lighting technologies that adapt dynamically to environmental or user inputs to create customized lighting effects. BridgeComm claims exclusive rights to these inventions and is seeking to enforce them against what it calls unauthorized use by Cree Lighting.
Claims of Direct and Induced Infringement
According to the complaint, Cree Lighting has directly infringed the patents by making, using, testing, offering for sale, and selling infringing products—referred to as “Exemplary Defendant Products.” Additionally, BridgeComm accuses Cree of induced infringement, stating that the company knowingly encouraged customers to use the products in ways that violate the patents, particularly after being served with the complaint.
The suit includes claim charts that allegedly demonstrate how Cree’s products meet every element of the patented claims, either literally or through the doctrine of equivalents. BridgeComm also notes that Cree continued marketing the products even after receiving notice of the alleged infringement.
Damages and Relief Sought
BridgeComm is seeking a jury trial and a full range of remedies, including:
- A judgment that both patents are valid and enforceable
- A ruling that Cree Lighting directly and indirectly infringed the patents
- Damages adequate to compensate for past and ongoing infringement
- Pre- and post-judgment interest
- Legal costs and attorneys’ fees under 35 U.S.C. § 285, if the case is deemed “exceptional”
What’s at Stake
This lawsuit reflects broader trends in the lighting industry, where the push toward smart, adaptive lighting systems has made intellectual property disputes increasingly common. If successful, BridgeComm’s case could strengthen its position in the lighting controls market and set a precedent for how similar technologies are protected and commercialized.