Many customers have asked what is going on between Alliance Laundry Systems and PayRange, and what it means for stores that use Alliance equipment together with PayRange or KioSoft products.
The short version is that this is both a patent dispute and now, based on the letter we received from Alliance, a future-access dispute. According to Alliance’s letter, Alliance says it has terminated PayRange’s control-interface license effective June 8, 2026. Alliance also says that after that date, PayRange technology, including BluKey connectors, will not be authorized on a go-forward basis to work with Alliance machines, while PayRange technology on Alliance machines sold before June 8, 2026 “will not be affected at this time.”
This did not appear out of nowhere. Public court filings show that PayRange accused Alliance in 2024 of infringing PayRange patents through Alliance’s Speed Queen and Huebsch mobile apps (Insight and Command) and payment systems. Alliance’s complaint says PayRange pushed Alliance to either take a license, stop the accused activity, or face litigation. Alliance then sued in Delaware seeking a declaration that it does not infringe. PayRange later counterclaimed and asked for damages and injunctive relief, including stopping further installations of allegedly infringing payment modules and removing allegedly infringing apps from app stores.
Alliance’s public position has been that it does not infringe any valid PayRange patent claims and that it is actively challenging the patents. That challenge has had mixed results so far. The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) instituted review of all claims of PayRange’s ’920 and ’423 patents in August 2025, but Alliance’s later PTAB challenges to PayRange’s ’772 and ’608 patents were denied in late 2025. The Delaware court also denied Alliance’s motion to dismiss PayRange’s patent counterclaims in September 2025, so the case is still very much alive. Publicly available records also show the district-court case and PTAB proceedings were still active into 2026 rather than fully resolved.
What that means in plain English is this: PayRange appears to want Alliance to either take a patent license or stop using the accused payment/app technology, and Alliance appears unwilling to do that because Alliance says its products do not infringe valid patent claims. A letter from Alliance to route operators, laundromat owners, and distributors in April of 2026 goes a step further than the public patent filings by saying Alliance has also cut off PayRange’s control-interface authorization for future integrations after June 8, 2026.
What this means for customers and users of Alliance or PayRange Products
If you already use PayRange on Alliance machines, the most important sentence in the Alliance letter is the one saying that PayRange technology on Alliance machines sold before June 8, 2026 “will not be affected at this time.” That suggests existing installed or already-sold equipment is being treated differently from future go-forward integrations.
If you are planning to add new Alliance machines and also want to use PayRange or KioSoft/PayRange hardware after June 8, 2026, you should assume there may be authorization, compatibility, support, or warranty questions unless you receive written confirmation otherwise from the relevant parties.
If you use KioSoft products, it is also important to know that KioSoft is now part of PayRange. PayRange announced the acquisition in December 2025, and KioSoft’s own site now describes itself as “KioSoft is now PayRange.”
There is also a practical supply issue to keep in mind. Alliance’s own parts channel currently lists multiple PayRange OEM items as sold and no longer available with no replacement, including Alliance-, Huebsch-, and Speed Queen-branded PayRange parts. At the same time, KioSoft support documentation published or updated in late 2025 still includes setup instructions for Alliance Hybrid, Alliance ACA, and Alliance Quantum Touch machine profiles. That suggests the issue is not whether mixed environments have existed in the field; the issue is future authorization and support going forward.
Our recommendation
For customers already using PayRange on Alliance equipment, we recommend a calm and practical approach:
Keep your existing installed base documented now, including machine serial numbers, sale dates, install dates, and which machines use BluKey or other PayRange hardware.
Treat existing equipment and future equipment purchases as two separate questions. Existing pre-June 8, 2026 equipment appears to be treated differently in Alliance’s letter than new go-forward integrations.
If you are ordering new Alliance equipment for delivery, sale, or installation around or after June 8, 2026, get written confirmation in advance about which payment options will be supported and authorized.
Do not assume that a connector or interface that works on a grandfathered machine can simply be moved to a future machine and remain authorized.
If you depend heavily on PayRange, plan your next equipment purchases carefully. In practical terms, that may mean either choosing an Alliance-supported payment path for new Alliance equipment, or evaluating non-Alliance equipment options for locations where PayRange compatibility is essential.
Our goal is to keep your store or route operating smoothly while this dispute continues. We will continue monitoring developments and will share practical updates that affect equipment choices, payment compatibility, and customer experience.
Notes on the Alliance letter
The most important new sentence is not the litigation language. It is this one:
“We have terminated that license with PayRange, which will be effective June 8, 2026.”
That is bigger than a normal “we don’t recommend this vendor” message. It means Alliance is claiming control over the interface permission that allowed PayRange to integrate in the first place. In other words, Alliance is not only saying “we think PayRange is wrong in court.” Alliance is also saying “for future machines, we are shutting the gate.” That is a contract/access move, not just a patent-defense statement.
The second most important sentence is:
“PayRange technology (including BluKey connectors) for Alliance machines sold prior to June 8, 2026 will not be affected at this time.”
I would emphasize “at this time.” That sounds like a current grandfathering position, not a forever promise. It is reassuring, but it is narrower than a permanent guarantee.
I would also be careful with this sentence in the Alliance letter:
“Your use of our equipment and digital technology does not put you at risk.”
I might soften it slightly and attribute it to Alliance rather than stating it as anyone else’s own legal conclusion. A safer phrasing is:
“Alliance has stated that customers using Alliance digital products and payment solutions do so under Alliance’s technology license, and Alliance says it stands behind those products.”
One more nuance: the letter says machines “sold prior to June 8, 2026.” That may matter. If a machine is ordered before June 8 but installed later, or sold by one party before June 8 and deployed later, that wording could become important. I would get written clarification for any inventory, orders, or deals that will straddle that date.
The public record does support Alliance’s statement that it is actively challenging PayRange’s patents, but I would not assume that Alliance has already won. It has not. Two PayRange patents were put into PTAB review, but two other Alliance PTAB challenges were denied, and the Delaware court let PayRange’s core infringement counterclaims continue.
FAQ: Alliance & PayRange Update
1. What is going on between Alliance and PayRange?
Alliance and PayRange are involved in an ongoing legal dispute. PayRange claims that certain Alliance payment technologies infringe its patents. Alliance denies this and is actively defending itself while also challenging the validity of those patents.
At the same time, Alliance has made a business decision to terminate PayRange’s integration license going forward.
2. What did Alliance announce to customers?
Alliance stated that:
- They are confident in their legal position
- Customers using Alliance technology are covered under Alliance’s license
- They have terminated PayRange’s access license, effective June 8, 2026
- After that date, PayRange (including BluKey devices) will not be authorized on new Alliance machines
- Existing machines sold before June 8, 2026 are not affected at this time
3. Am I at risk if I currently use PayRange on Alliance machines?
Based on Alliance’s statement:
- No immediate risk has been identified for existing setups
- Alliance says customers are protected under their technology license
- Existing installations are grandfathered “at this time”
However, this is an evolving situation, so staying informed is important.
4. Can I keep using PayRange on my current machines?
Yes—for now.
Alliance has specifically said:
- Existing machines sold before June 8, 2026 are not affected at this time
That said, future changes are possible depending on how the dispute develops.
5. Can I install PayRange on new Alliance machines after June 8, 2026?
You should not assume you can.
Alliance’s position is that:
- PayRange will no longer be authorized on a go-forward basis
Before making any new installations, you should:
- Get written confirmation from your distributor or manufacturer
- Understand potential impacts to warranty, support, and compatibility
6. Does this affect KioSoft?
Yes, indirectly.
KioSoft is now part of PayRange, so:
- References to “PayRange” may include KioSoft-related technology
- The same future authorization concerns may apply
7. Will my existing PayRange equipment stop working?
There is no indication right now that existing systems will be shut off or disabled.
However:
- Alliance used the phrase “at this time”, which leaves room for future changes
- Long-term support or parts availability may be impacted
8. Why is this happening?
At a high level:
- PayRange is seeking to enforce its patents and potentially collect licensing fees
- Alliance is refusing to accept those claims and is fighting both infringement and patent validity
Separately, Alliance is choosing to control access to its machines by ending PayRange’s integration license going forward.
9. What is PTAB and why does it matter?
The PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) is where companies challenge whether patents are valid.
- Alliance is using PTAB to try to invalidate PayRange’s patents
- Some of those challenges are moving forward, but nothing is final yet
This matters because:
- If patents are invalidated → PayRange’s leverage weakens
- If patents survive → pressure increases on Alliance
10. What should I do as a store owner?
For existing stores:
- Document your equipment (dates, models, payment systems)
- Continue operating normally
- Stay informed on updates
For future decisions:
- Treat new equipment purchases differently from existing equipment
- Get clear written guidance before mixing systems
- Consider your long-term payment strategy before expanding
11. Should I be making changes right now?
Not necessarily.
This is not a situation that requires immediate panic or equipment changes.
But it is a situation where:
- You should pause and think carefully about future installs
- Avoid assumptions about compatibility going forward
12. Will this be resolved soon?
Unlikely in the short term.
Patent disputes like this can take:
- Years in court
- Additional time if appeals or settlements occur
13. Who should I contact if I have questions?
- Your equipment distributor
- Your Alliance representative
- Your payment system provider (PayRange/KioSoft)
Getting answers in writing is strongly recommended for any future decisions.