The claims arose from a dispute over a 2019 distribution agreement for downhole gas and sand separators used in the oil industry and allegations that Q2 infringed three patents held by the plaintiffs, WellWorx Energy Solutions LLC and Liberty Lift Solutions LLC. Under that deal, Q2 distributed WellWorx's products, but it stopped promoting the WellWorx products and shifted its focus to Oilify New-Tech Solutions Inc., which designed the WhaleShark downhole separator, the suit alleged.

After three years of litigation, the Reed Smith intellectual property team successfully argued that the plaintiff’s patent claims were invalid, that Q2 had not infringed as a matter of law, and that the breach of contract claims, based on a “best efforts” clause and related obligations, were legally and factually unsupported. The court granted summary judgment in Q2’s favor disposing of all claims against Q2.

Reed Smith’s team included IP and litigation partners Robert Riddle and Nicole Soussan Caplan, senior associate Daniel Avila II, and associates Grayson Thompson, Dandee Cabanay and Jennifer Black.