IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS

WACO DIVISION

WSOU INVESTMENTS, LLC d/b/a BRAZOS 

LICENSING AND DEVELOPMENT,

Plaintiff,

v.

DELL TECHNOLOGIES INC., DELL INC., 

EMC CORPORATION, AND VMWARE, 

INC.,

Defendants.

Case No. 6:20-cv-00480-ADA

JURY TRIAL DEMANDED

VMWARE, INC.’S ANSWER TO PLAINTIFF’S FIRST AMENDED 

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

Defendant VMware, Inc. (“Defendant” or “VMware”), by and through its attorneys, 

respectfully submits this Answer to the First Amended Complaint for Patent Infringement (“First 

Amended Complaint”) of WSOU Investments, LLC d/b/a Brazos Licensing and Development 

(“WSOU” or “Plaintiff”). VMware responds in numbered paragraphs corresponding to the

numbered paragraphs of the First Amended Complaint, and in doing so denies the allegations of 

the First Amended Complaint except as specifically stated.

NATURE OF THE ACTION

1. Paragraph 1 alleges legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the 

extent a response is required, VMware denies that WSOU has stated a legally sufficient claim for 

patent infringement, and further specifically denies any infringement or liability. 

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THE PARTIES

2. VMware lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth 

of the allegations in Paragraph 2, and therefore denies these allegations.

3. VMware lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth 

of the allegations in Paragraph 3, and therefore denies these allegations.

4. VMware lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth 

of the allegations in Paragraph 4, and therefore denies these allegations.

5. VMware lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth 

of the allegations in Paragraph 5, and therefore denies these allegations.

6. Admitted. VMware notes, however, that the allegations in Paragraph 6 are now 

outdated.

7. Admitted. VMware notes, however, that the allegations in Paragraph 7 are now 

outdated because VMware is no longer a subsidiary of Dell Technologies Inc. 

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

8. Paragraph 8 alleges legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the 

extent a response is required, VMware admits that patent infringement actions arise under the 

Patent Laws of the United States, including 35 U.S.C. §§ 271, 281, 284, and 285.

9. Paragraph 9 alleges legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the 

extent a response is required, VMware admits that this Court has jurisdiction over claims of patent 

infringement pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a). 

10. Paragraph 10 alleges legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the 

extent a response is required, VMware does not contest that the Court has personal jurisdiction 

over it for the purposes of this action, and denies any acts of infringement.

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11. Paragraph 11 alleges legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the 

extent a response is required, VMware does not contest venue is proper in this District for purposes 

of this action, denies any acts of infringement, and admits that VMware has places of business in 

the Western District of Texas. As detailed in the Motion for Intra-District Transfer of Venue to 

the Austin Division of the Western District of Texas (D.I. 43, 58), however, VMware does contest 

that the Waco Division is the most convenient venue for this action.

COUNT ONE – INFRINGEMENT OF 

U.S. PATENT NO. 7,539,133

12. VMware incorporates and re-alleges its answers to Paragraphs 1 through 11. 

13. VMware admits that Exhibit A to WSOU’s First Amended Complaint purports to 

be a copy of the ’133 patent. VMware admits that on its face, the ’133 patent is titled “Method 

and Apparatus for Preventing Congestion in Load-Balancing Networks” and that on its face it 

bears an issuance date of May 26, 2009. VMware denies that the ’133 patent is valid. VMware 

lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining 

allegations in Paragraph 13, and therefore denies these allegations. 

14. VMware lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth 

of the allegations of Paragraph 14, and therefore denies these allegations. 

15. This paragraph includes subjective characterizations and assertions that do not 

require a response. To the extent the allegations of this paragraph purport to characterize the 

contents of written documents, the documents speak for themselves. VMware offers licenses to

VeloCloud. VMware expressly denies any allegation of wrongdoing or infringement in this 

paragraph. VMware admits that WSOU copies and/or paraphrases language from what appear to 

be webpages cited in Paragraph 15. VMware lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a 

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belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations of Paragraph 15, and therefore denies these 

allegations.

16. This paragraph includes subjective characterizations and assertions that do not 

require a response. To the extent the allegations of this paragraph purport to characterize the 

contents of written documents, the documents speak for themselves. VMware expressly denies 

any allegation of wrongdoing or infringement in this paragraph. VMware admits that WSOU 

copies and/or paraphrases language from what appears to be a webpage cited in Paragraph 16. 

VMware otherwise denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 16.

17. This paragraph includes subjective characterizations and assertions that do not 

require a response. To the extent the allegations of this paragraph purport to characterize the 

contents of written documents, the documents speak for themselves. VMware’s VeloCloud 

involves the processing of traffic flows. VMware expressly denies any allegation of wrongdoing 

or infringement in this paragraph. VMware admits that WSOU copies and/or paraphrases 

language from what appear to be webpages cited in Paragraph 17, but some of these webpages do 

not exist and/or are hyperlinked to the wrong URL as of the date of this Answer. VMware 

otherwise denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 17. 

18. This paragraph includes subjective characterizations and assertions that do not 

require a response. To the extent the allegations of this paragraph purport to characterize the 

contents of a written documents, the documents speak for themselves. VMware expressly denies 

any allegation of wrongdoing or infringement in this paragraph. VMware admits that WSOU 

copies and/or paraphrases language from what appears to be a webpage cited in Paragraph 18. 

VMware otherwise denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 18. 

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19. This paragraph includes subjective characterizations and assertions that do not 

require a response. To the extent the allegations of this paragraph purport to characterize the 

contents of written documents, the documents speak for themselves. VMware expressly denies 

any allegation of wrongdoing or infringement in this paragraph. VMware admits that WSOU 

copies and/or paraphrases language from what appear to be webpages cited in Paragraph 19, but 

this webpage does not exist and/or is hyperlinked to the wrong URL as of the date of this Answer. 

VMware otherwise denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 19. 

20. This paragraph includes subjective characterizations and assertions that do not 

require a response. To the extent the allegations of this paragraph purport to characterize the 

contents of written documents, the documents speak for themselves. VMware expressly denies 

any allegation of wrongdoing or infringement in this paragraph. VMware admits that WSOU 

copies and/or paraphrases language from what appear to be webpages cited in Paragraph 20, but 

this webpage does not exist and/or is hyperlinked to the wrong URL as of the date of this Answer. 

VMware denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 20. 

21. This paragraph includes subjective characterizations and assertions that do not 

require a response. To the extent the allegations of this paragraph purport to characterize the 

contents of written documents, the documents speak for themselves. VMware expressly denies 

any allegation of wrongdoing or infringement in this paragraph. VMware admits that WSOU 

copies and/or paraphrases language from what appear to be webpages cited in Paragraph 21, but 

this webpage does not exist and/or is hyperlinked to the wrong URL as of the date of this Answer. 

VMware denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 21. 

22. This paragraph includes subjective characterizations and assertions that do not 

require a response. To the extent the allegations of this paragraph purport to characterize the 

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contents of written documents, the documents speak for themselves. VMware expressly denies 

any allegation of wrongdoing or infringement in this paragraph. VMware admits that WSOU 

copies and/or paraphrases language from what appear to be webpages cited in Paragraph 22. 

VMware denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 22. 

23. VMware denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 23.

24. VMware denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 24.

25. VMware denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 25.

26. VMware denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 26.

1

27. To the extent the allegations of this paragraph purport to characterize the contents 

of written documents, the documents speak for themselves. VMware admits that WSOU cites 

hyperlinks to webpages cited in Paragraph 27, but some of these webpages do not exist and/or are 

hyperlinked to the wrong URL as of the date of this Answer. VMware expressly denies any 

allegation of wrongdoing or infringement in this paragraph. VMware denies the allegations

contained in Paragraph 27.

28. VMware denies the allegations contained in Paragraph 28. 

RESPONSE TO WSOU’S JURY DEMAND

VMware also requests a jury trial for all issues triable as such.

RESPONSE TO WSOU’S REQUEST FOR RELIEF

No response is required to WSOU’s request for relief. To the extent that a response is 

deemed required, VMware has not infringed, directly or indirectly, any valid and enforceable claim 

of the ’133 patent and WSOU is not entitled to any remedy or recovery. WSOU’s request therefore 

should be denied in its entirety and with prejudice, and WSOU should take nothing. 

1

 To the extent a response is required to Paragraph 26, note 1, VMware denies that the knowledge 

of a plaintiff’s patent after the lawsuit was filed is sufficient to plead requisite knowledge for 

indirect infringement. See D.I. 69, 76:16–17 (dismissing indirect infringement claims).

Case 6:20-cv-00480-ADA Document 176 Filed 03/23/22 Page 6 of 11
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AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES

Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(c), VMware asserts the following defenses. 

Assertion of a defense is not a concession that VMware has the burden of proving the matter 

asserted. In addition to the defenses described below, VMware expressly reserves the right to 

allege additional defenses as they become known through the course of discovery.

FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

(Failure to State a Claim)

1. VMware repeats and re-alleges the allegations of the preceding Paragraphs as if set 

forth fully herein.

2. WSOU’s First Amended Complaint fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a 

claim upon which relief can be granted. 

SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

(Non-Infringement)

3. VMware repeats and re-alleges the allegations of the preceding Paragraphs as if set 

forth fully herein.

4. VMware does not infringe, and has not infringed, either literally or under the 

doctrine of equivalents, any valid and enforceable claim of the ’133 patent, whether directly, 

indirectly, contributorily, by inducement, individually, jointly, willfully, or otherwise.

THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

(Patent Ineligibility and Invalidity)

5. VMware repeats and re-alleges the allegations of the preceding Paragraphs as if set 

forth fully herein.

6. The asserted claims of the ’133 patent, as properly construed, are ineligible, invalid, 

void, and/or unenforceable for failure to comply with one or more of the statutory requirements of 

Case 6:20-cv-00480-ADA Document 176 Filed 03/23/22 Page 7 of 11
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or conditions for patentability specified by Title 35 of the United States Code, including but not 

limited to 35 U.S.C. §§ 101, 102, 103, 112, 116 and/or 132 and for improper inventorship and 

derivation. 

FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

(Prosecution History Estoppel)

7. VMware repeats and re-alleges the allegations of the preceding Paragraphs as if set 

forth fully herein.

8. WSOU is precluded from construing any valid claim of the ’133 patent to be 

infringed, literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, due to admissions, arguments, 

amendments, representations, and/or statements made to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (a) 

during prosecution of the ’133 patent, (b) in the specification and claims of the ’133 patent, and/or 

(c) during the prosecution of patents and applications related to the ’133 patent.

FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

(Statutory Limitation on Damages)

9. VMware repeats and re-alleges the allegations of the preceding Paragraphs as if set 

forth fully herein.

10. WSOU’s right to seek damages or costs is limited, including without limitation by

35 U.S.C. §§ 286, 287, and 288.

11. To the extent that WSOU, its alleged predecessor(s)-in-interest to the ’133 patent, 

or any licensee of the ’133 patent failed to properly mark any of their relevant products as required 

by 35 U.S.C. § 287 or otherwise give proper notice that VMware’s actions allegedly infringed any 

claim of the ’133 patent, VMware is not liable to WSOU for the acts alleged to have been 

performed by VMware before it received actual notice of alleged infringement. 

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SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

(No Enhanced Damages; No Attorneys’ Fees)

12. VMware repeats and re-alleges the allegations of the preceding Paragraphs as if set 

forth fully herein.

13. WSOU is not entitled to enhanced damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284, at least because 

WSOU has failed to show, and cannot show, that any infringement has been willful and/or 

knowing.

14. WSOU is not entitled to an award of attorneys’ fees under 35 U.S.C. § 285, at least 

because WSOU has failed to show, and cannot show, that this case is “exceptional” in WSOU’s

favor as would be required by the statute.

SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE

(No Costs)

15. VMware repeats and re-alleges the allegations of the preceding Paragraphs as if set 

forth fully herein.

16. Under 35 U.S.C. § 288, WSOU is precluded from recovering costs associated with 

this action.

VMWARE’S PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, VMware respectfully prays that

(a) WSOU take nothing by way of this action;

(b) The First Amended Complaint be dismissed with prejudice and judgment entered 

in favor of VMware;

(c) The Court find this case exceptional and awards VMware its reasonable attorneys’

fees and costs of defending suit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 285; and

Case 6:20-cv-00480-ADA Document 176 Filed 03/23/22 Page 9 of 11
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(d) VMware be awarded costs of suit, attorneys’ fees, and any other relief that the Court 

deems proper.

Dated: March 23, 2022 By: /s/ Barry K. Shelton

Barry K. Shelton

Texas State Bar No. 24055029

bshelton@winston.com

WINSTON & STRAWN LLP

2121 North Pearl Street, Suite 900

Dallas, TX 75201 

Telephone: 214-453-6407

Facsimile: 214-453-6400

Benjamin Hershkowitz

bhershkowitz@gibsondunn.com

Brian A. Rosenthal

brosenthal@gibsondunn.com 

Allen Kathir

akathir@gibsondunn.com

GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP

200 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10166-0193 

Telephone: 212.351.4000

Facsimile: 212.351.4035 

Y. Ernest Hsin

ehsin@gibsondunn.com

Jaysen S. Chung

jschung@gibsondunn.com

GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP

555 Mission Street, Suite 3000

San Francisco, CA 94105-0921

Telephone: 415.393.8200

Facsimile: 415.393.8306

Ryan K. Iwahashi

riwahashi@gibsondunn.com

GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP

1881 Page Mill Road

Palo Alto, CA 94304-1211

Telephone: 650.849.5300

Facsimile: 650.849.5333

Attorneys for Defendant VMware, Inc.

Case 6:20-cv-00480-ADA Document 176 Filed 03/23/22 Page 10 of 11
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I HEREBY CERTIFY that on March 23, 2022, I caused the preceding document to be 

served on all counsel through the Court’s ECF system.

/s/ Barry K. Shelton

Barry K. Shelton

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