Cooler Patent Wars Heat Up Over Ice Rover’s Licensing Disclosure

Ice Rover Inc. is on the defensive in its infringement suits against rival cooler makers Yeti Coolers LLC and California Innovations Inc. over patented features for a camping cooler due to a previously undisclosed licensing deal the companies say undermines Ice Rover’s right to assert its own patents.

First Yeti, then California Innovations, sought to dismiss Ice Rover lawsuits asserting a trio of utility and design patents after learning the Colorado company signed a March 2023 agreement with Kokopelli Outdoors Inc. each argues throws into question Ice Rover’s patent rights—and thus, its rights to sue over them.

The deal with ...