Upstream Data, a Canadian natural gas bitcoin miner, has filed a lawsuit against Crusoe Energy for patent infringement. The lawsuit alleges that Crusoe's technology infringes on Upstream Data founder Stephen Barbour's patent, and that Crusoe developed the technology with knowledge of this infringement. Upstream Data is seeking damages and a court order for Crusoe to stop violating their intellectual property.

Crusoe plans to defend itself and remains confident in its own intellectual property, which includes five issued patents. Both companies work on oil and natural gas wells to extract energy for bitcoin mining, rather than allowing excess gas to be released into the atmosphere.