Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-02559/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-02559-7/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 830
Nature of Suit: Patent
Cause of Action: 35:145 Patent Infringement

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MEDTRONIC, INC., et al.,

Plaintiffs,

 v.

KYPHON, INC,

Defendant. /

No. C 06-2559 SI

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFFS’

MOTION FOR LEAVE TO AMEND

PRELIMINARY INFRINGEMENT

CONTENTIONS 

Plaintiffs have filed a motion for leave to amend their preliminary infringement contentions.

Plaintiffs seek to add Claim 5 of the ‘173 patent to the list of asserted claims. Plaintiffs state that after

the parties exchanged their claim construction contentions, and while preparing the briefing for the

Markman hearing relating to the disputed claim terms of the ‘173 patent, plaintiffs “came to appreciate”

that the accused Kyphon devices also infringe independent Claim 5 of the ‘173 patent.

Defendant opposes the motion, arguing that Medronic has not shown good cause for the delay

in seeking to amend, and that any amendment will likely require rescheduling the upcoming Markman

hearing. Defendant also asserts that it will be prejudiced because the amendment will require the

construction of three additional terms.

The Court finds that while it is a close call, the Court will allow plaintiffs to amend their

preliminary infringement contentions. The Court finds that plaintiffs should have sought leave to amend

earlier, but also that defendants will not be prejudiced by an amendment. The trial date is set for

January 2008. Plaintiffs state that very little discovery has occurred to date, and that the two depositions

that have taken place did not involve the ‘173 patent. In addition, it appears that at least some of the

additional terms are already at issue in this case.

Case 3:06-cv-02559-SI Document 150 Filed 03/29/07 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Accordingly, the Court GRANTS plaintiffs’ motion for leave to amend their preliminary

infringement contentions to add Claim 5 of the ‘173 patent. (Docket No. 127). The parties shall meet

and confer regarding the upcoming deadlines in this case, and if necessary, shall file a stipulation and

proposed order modifying the schedule.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 29, 2007 

SUSAN ILLSTON

United States District Judge

Case 3:06-cv-02559-SI Document 150 Filed 03/29/07 Page 2 of 2