Exclusive: Alpha Modus sues Cooler Screens, alleges patent infringement

Published 25/08/2025, 13:34
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- Nasdaq-listed Alpha Modus has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Cooler Screens Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. 

The company, which creates, develops, and licenses data-driven technologies in the retail sector, filed the complaint, seen by Investing.com, on August 21, 2025. 

It alleges that Cooler Screens infringed three Alpha Modus patents related to retail technology: U.S. Patent Nos. 10,360,571, 10,977,672, and 11,042,890. 

The patents cover systems for monitoring consumer behavior, managing inventory, and enabling digital assistance through in-store displays.

Cooler Screens was co-founded by Greg Wasson, the former CEO of Walgreens, through Wasson Ventures.

According to the complaint, Wasson was aware of Alpha Modus’ patented technology during his time at Walgreens, citing meetings held between the two businesses. The lawsuit notes that Cooler Screens was formed shortly after those interactions.

Alpha Modus claims that Cooler Screens’ smart digital screens utilize methods and systems protected under its patent portfolio. 

The company also alleges Cooler Screens induced others, including retailers and employees, to take actions that resulted in infringement of the patents.

Alpha Modus has previously pursued similar cases. It reached settlements with Kroger Co. and Walgreens regarding the use of Cooler Screens technology. 

With those agreements completed, the company said it is now directing its enforcement efforts toward Cooler Screens.

The complaint highlighted that Cooler Screens is itself engaged in litigation with Walgreens in the Illinois state court. That case involves a $200 million claim related to the removal of Cooler Screens’ technology from Walgreens stores. 

Alpha Modus argues that Cooler Screens would not have been able to deploy its platform at Walgreens without proper licensing.

Alpha Modus CEO William Alessi told Investing.com that while the firm can’t comment on the potential outcome of the Cooler Screens and Walgreens contract dispute, their “position is that Cooler Screens’ ability to deploy its platform in the first place required proper licensing from Alpha Modus.”

“We believe our lawsuit underscores the fundamental IP issues at the heart of Cooler Screens’ business model,” he added.

In its lawsuit, Alpha Modus contends that Cooler Screens’ alleged infringement of its patent is “willful and egregious.” 

“Alpha Modus’s objective is straightforward: to protect and fairly license our intellectual property,” stated Alessi. “We’ve demonstrated through prior settlements, licensing deals, and business collaborations that our portfolio has real enforceability, and licensing is the natural outcome of that.”

While the firm said it is open to business resolutions, Alessi added that they are “also fully prepared to pursue our claims in court to ensure that companies commercializing technology covered by our patents do so on fair and lawful terms.”

Cooler Screens has raised capital from several investors, including Microsoft’s venture arm M12 Ventures, Verizon Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank, and AT&T Inc. 

Cooler Screens could not be reached for comment.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.