IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS 

LKQ CORPORATION, and ) Case No. 1:20-cv-2753

KEYSTONE AUTOMOTIVE )

INDUSTRIES, INC., )

 )

Plaintiffs, )

 )

 v. ) JURY TRIAL DEMANDED

 )

 )

GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY, and )

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY )

OPERATIONS, LLC, )

)

 Defendants. )

COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY JUDGMENT OF PATENT NONINFRINGEMENT AND INVALIDITY

Plaintiffs LKQ Corporation and Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. (“LKQ” or

“Plaintiffs”), by its attorneys Irwin IP LLC, seek declaratory relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201

and 2202 against Defendants General Motors Company (“GMC”) and GM Global Technology

Operations, LLC (“GM Global”) (collectively “GM” or “Defendants”) and allege as follows:

PARTIES

1. Plaintiff LKQ Corporation is a corporation organized and existing under the laws

of the State of Delaware with its corporate office located at 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 2800,

Chicago, Illinois 60661. LKQ Corporation by and through its subsidiaries import and sell, among

other items, commercially successful automotive replacement and repair parts throughout the

United States and in this District.

2. Plaintiff Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. is a corporation organized and

existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with its corporate office located at 500 W.

Madison Street, Suite 2800, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Keystone is a subsidiary of LKQ Corporation

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and distributes aftermarket automotive replacement parts throughout the United States and in this

District.

3. Defendant GMC is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State

of Delaware with its corporate office located at 300 Renaissance Ctr.,

Detroit, MI 48243. GMC manufactures and distributes vehicles and vehicle parts throughout the

United States and in this District.

4. Defendant GM Global is a subsidiary of Defendant GMC, organized and existing

under the laws of the State of Delaware with its offices located at 300 Renaissance Ctr.,

Detroit, MI 48243. On information and belief, Defendant GM Global conducts research and

development for parent GMC. GM Global is the assignee for design patents at issue in this

proceeding.

NATURE OF THE ACTION

5. This is a declaratory judgment action seeking a determination that LKQ does not

infringe U.S. Patent Nos. D818,903 (the “’903 Patent”), D803,731 (the “’731 Patent”), and

D812,532 (the “’532 Patent”); and further that the ’532 Patent and U.S. Patent Nos. D786,743 (the

“’743 Patent”); D824825 (the “’825 Patent”); and D840,285 (the “’285 Patent”) are invalid as

anticipated or obvious over the prior art and purport to cover unpatentable subject matter.

Collectively, the ’903 Patent and the ’731 Patent are referred to hereinafter as the Licensed GM

Design Patents, and the ’903 Patent, the’731 Patent, the ’532 Patent, the ’743 Patent, the ’825

Patent, and the ’285 Patent are referred to hereinafter as the GM Design Patents At Issue.

6. This action arises from, on information and belief, affirmative measures taken by

GM to interfere with LKQ’s business operations by asserting that vehicle parts distributed by LKQ

infringe the GM Design Patents At Issue, despite knowing that it has licensed LKQ to sell parts

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covered the Licensed GM Design Patents, the fact that the ’731 Patent is not infringed by the 

allegedly infringing part, and the remaining GM Design Patents At Issue are invalid in light of the 

prior art and are drawn to unpatentable subject matter.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

7. The Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action and the matters pleaded 

herein under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a) because the action arises under the Federal 

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201, et seq., and the Patent Act of the United States, 35 

U.S.C. § 101, et seq.

8. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendants because, on information and 

belief, Defendants have continuous and systematic contacts with the state of Illinois and this 

Judicial District, have affirmatively directed infringement accusations at LKQ in this Judicial 

District and communicated such accusations to third parties in the Judicial District, and 

Defendants’ submission to personal jurisdiction would be fair and reasonable. 

9. Venue against Defendants is proper because a substantial part of the events or 

omissions giving rise to the claim occurred in this Judicial District and Defendants are subject to 

personal jurisdiction in this Judicial district. 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2) and (3). 

STANDING

10. For many decades, LKQ and its predecessors, and others in a vast aftermarket parts 

industry, have been importing and offering for sale replacement automotive parts including grilles, 

fenders, bumpers, and more.

11. LKQ products are of a consistently high quality; LKQ carefully monitors its parts 

production with the objective that all replacement parts meet or exceed the quality of the OEM 

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part it replaces. Due to its long-standing presence in the aftermarket industry and its reputation 

for quality, LKQ has become a national leader among replacement part providers. 

12. GM and LKQ have historically been parties to a confidential Design Patent License 

Agreement (“DPLA”) under which LKQ was granted a license to many of GM’s design patents. 

LKQ continues to operate in accordance with the DPLA, including paying royalties for parts 

covered by the Licensed GM Design Patents.

13. Where the relationship between the parties was once amicable, GM stopped acting 

in accordance with the expectations of the parties when they entered into the DPLA, and the course 

of conduct in the years immediately after entering into the DPLA. 

14. In the middle of the licensing period, GM also issued a unilateral demand to alter 

the terms of the DPLA. 

15. Further, notwithstanding the fact that GM and LKQ were in the midst of direct 

negotiations regarding a revised DPLA, in an effort to undermine LKQ’s business relationships 

and pressure LKQ into agreeing to unfair licensing terms, GM sent correspondence to a third party

making baseless allegations that certain automotive parts sold by LKQ and listed on the third 

party’s vehicle part platform—Certified Collateral Corporation’s (“CCC”) platform—infringed

certain GM design patents.

16. Specifically, on March 1, 2019, GM’s Counsel, Angela Caligiuri, sent a letter to 

CCC identifying certain replacement parts it alleged infringed approximately 250 different GM 

design patents, including parts sold by LKQ. GM requested that the identified parts be removed 

from CCC’s software platform. See Exhibit A (“March 2019 GM Letter”).

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17. Despite GM claiming that no aftermarket supplier, including LKQ, was permitted 

to manufacture the parts identified in the March 2019 GM Letter, LKQ was indeed licensed to 

make allegedly infringing parts.

18. After obtaining a copy of the March 2019 GM Letter, LKQ contacted GM and 

discussed with GM that, to the extent it was making allegedly infringing parts, it was licensed to 

make the allegedly infringing parts and that it had been paying royalties under the DPLA for such 

parts.

19. Thereafter, on information and belief, in December of 2019, GM provided a 

PowerPoint presentation to CCC again outlining parts that were allegedly subject to protection 

under the GM Design Patents At Issue and that should not be included in CCC’s systems. In other 

words, GM asserted that such parts offered by LKQ were infringing its patents. Notably, upon 

information and belief and based upon the assumption that CCC’s subsequent request that LKQ 

remove certain parts (discussed below) included all parts alleged by GM to be infringing at that 

time in March 2020, only four of the approximately 250 patents originally asserted by GM in the 

March 2019 assertion were included in GM’s latest assertion.

20. On March 4, 2020, CCC sent a letter to LKQ requesting that LKQ remove certain 

parts allegedly covered by the GM Design Patents At Issue from CCC’s platform. See Exhibit B 

(“March 2020 CCC Letter”). Specifically, CCC directed LKQ to “provide specifics that can be 

shared with GM or contact General Motors directly.” Id. at 1.

21. The March 2020 CCC Letter included two patents that GM has licensed LKQ via 

the DPLA, specifically the GM Licensed Design Patents.

22. On information and belief, it was GM who caused and/or directed CCC to request 

LKQ remove the identified products. 

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23. LKQ does not infringe the ’903 Patent, the ’731 Patent, or the ’532 Patent. Further, 

the ‘532 Patent, ’743 Patent, ’825 Patent, and ’285 Patent are invalid as anticipated or obvious 

over the prior art, and purport to cover unpatentable subject matter. 

24. By virtue of the foregoing, a substantial controversy exists between the parties that 

is of sufficient immediacy and concreteness to warrant declaratory relief.

GENERAL ALLEGATIONS

25. The March 2020 CCC Letter identified a number of automotive parts sold by LKQ 

on the CCC software platform, which allegedly correspond to the following GM design patents:

Part # GM Design Patent

GM1036176 D786,743

GM1230463 D824,825

GM1230456C D812,532

GM1230456 D812,532*

GM1036176 D786,743*

GM1103203 D828,261

GM1138104 D828,261

GM1139104 D828,261

GM1038243 D840,285

GM1039243 D840,285

GM1230465C D818,903

GM1200752 D803,731

While Part GM1230456 was alleged to be covered by the ’743 Patent (which was also alleged to 

cover Part GM1036176) in the CCC Letter, LKQ believes that this was in error, and that the 

allegedly corresponding GM Patent is the ’532 Patent. Further, Part GM1036176 was listed twice 

and was alleged to be covered by the ’261 Patent (also alleged to cover several other parts). LKQ 

suspects that the allegedly corresponding patent is the ‘743 Patent. Regardless of LKQ’s 

suspicions as to what GM design patent is actually alleged to cover the parts identified, all of the 

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GM Design Patents At Issue were expressly alleged to cover a part offered by LKQ and a case and 

controversy exists as to each of them.

26. Each of the GM Design Patents At Issue is assigned to GM Global Technology 

Operations, LLC.

NON-INFRINGMENT ALLEGATIONS – THE ’903 PATENT

27. The ’903 Patent was filed on June 17, 2016 and issued on May 29, 2018. See 

Exhibit C.

28. The below comparison illustrates the alleged infringing part compared to the 

alleged GM design patent:

Part GM1230465C GM Design Patent

Ex. C, FIG. 4.

29. LKQ does not infringe the ’903 Patent because LKQ is licensed to the ’903 Patent. 

30. Pursuant to the DPLA entered into between GM and LKQ, LKQ is licensed to 

patents identified to it by GM. One of those parts is the “Acadia Hood,” with exemplary GM part 

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number 23265062—the corresponding part number for GM part number 23265062 is 

GM1230465C. 

31. LKQ began offering parts corresponding to the ’903 Patent in accordance with the 

DPLA. 

32. Since it began offering parts for sale that correspond to the ’903 Patent, LKQ has 

properly paid royalties to GM commensurate with the terms and conditions of the LKQ-GM 

DPLA. GM has never rejected the royalties paid by LKQ or objected to LKQ paying royalties on 

parts corresponding to the ’903 Patent.

33. GM has not updated the DPLA to indicate to LKQ that it was not licensed to make 

parts corresponding to the ’903 Patent.

NON-INFRINGEMENT ALLEGATIONS – THE ’731 PATENT

34. The ’731 Patent was filed on July 6, 2016, and issued on November 28, 2017. See 

Exhibit D.

35. The below comparison illustrates the alleged infringing part compared to the 

alleged GM design patent:

Part GM1200752 GM Design Patent

Ex. D, FIG. 1.

36. LKQ is licensed pursuant to the DPLA to produce the above part.

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37. GM part number 23159133 is licensed to LKQ, corresponding to the “Acadia 

Grille.” GM part number 23159133 corresponds to both part numbers GM1200751 and 

GM1200752. GM1200751 is shown below:

Part GM1200751

38. While GM identified the “Acadia Grille” and its corresponding part number as a 

licensed part, it identified both “Acadia Grille” and “Acadia Grille Lwr” as corresponding to U.S. 

Des. Pat. No. D813,730, shown below:

Part GM1200751 GM Design Patent D813,730

Ex. E, FIG. 1.

39. GM’s failure to expressly identify the ’731 Patent in addition to D813,730 was a 

clerical error as evidenced by the fact that GM specifically identified the Acadia Grille and its 

corresponding part number as an exemplary licensed part.

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40. By identifying the Acadia Grille as a licensed vehicle part, GM clearly intended to 

grant LKQ a license to the corresponding ’731 Patent, and LKQ understood GM’s designation to 

constitute a license to the ’731 Patent.

41. LKQ began offering parts corresponding to the “Acadia Grille” as identified by GM 

and as corresponding to the ’731 Patent.

42. Since it began offering parts for sale that correspond to the ’731 Patent, LKQ has 

properly paid royalties to GM commensurate with the terms and conditions of the LKQ-GM 

DPLA. GM has never rejected the royalties paid by LKQ or objected to LKQ paying royalties on 

parts corresponding to the ’731 Patent.

43. GM has not updated the DPLA to indicate to LKQ that it was not licensed to make 

parts corresponding to the ’731 Patent.

NON-INFRINGMENT ALLEGATIONS – THE ’532 PATENT

44. The ’532 Patent was filed in the United States on July 28, 2016, claiming priority 

to a Korean application filed on February 12, 2016. See Exhibit F. The ’532 Patent issued on 

March 13, 2018 without any office actions. 

45. The ’532 Patent claims “[t]he ornamental design for a hood panel of car, as shown 

and described” and contains the below seven figures and descriptions:

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Ex. F, FIG 1. “FIG. 1 is a perspective view of 

new design for a hood panel of car as shown in 

the drawings.” Id. at 1.

Ex. F, FIG. 2. “FIG. 2 is a front elevation 

view thereof.” Id. at 1.

Ex. F, FIG. 3. “FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view 

thereof.” Id. at 1.

Ex. F, FIG. 4. “FIG. 4 is a left side elevation 

view thereof.” Id. at 1.

Ex. F, FIG. 5. “FIG. 5 is a right side elevation 

view thereof.” Id. at 1. Ex. F, FIG. 6. “FIG. 6 is a top plan view 

thereof.” Id. at 1.

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Ex. F, FIG. 7. “FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view 

thereof.”

46. The below comparison illustrates the alleged infringing part compared to the 

alleged GM design patent:

Part GM1230456C GM Design Patent

Ex. F, FIG. 6 (inverted)

Ex. F, FIG. 7

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47. LKQ does not infringe GM’s ’532 Patent because an ordinary observer would not 

be confused into thinking that the design of the part and the design covered by the ’532 Patent are 

substantially similar. 

48. The part produced by LKQ is longer, has a more rounded front edge and less 

rounded rear edge than the ’532 Patent. Further, the part produced by LKQ has a more prominent 

center bevel than the ’532 Patent.

49. Thus, LKQ does not infringe the ’532 Patent.

INVALIDITY ALLEGATIONS – THE ’532 PATENT

50. LKQ incorporates the allegations of Paragraphs 44–49 herein.

51. The ’532 Patent is invalid as obvious over the prior art. 

52. There are two non-redundant grounds for the unpatentability of the ’532 Patent:

• Obvious over the 2013 Kia Sportage in light of the 2015 Opel Corsa; and

• Obvious over the 2011 Kia Sorento in light of the 2015 Opel Corsa.

53. The 2013 Kia Sportage is a reference that is basically the same as the claimed 

design of the ’532 Patent. The below chart compares exemplary images of the 2013 Kia Sportage 

to the claimed design of the ’532 Patent:

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’532 PATENT 2013 KIA SPORTAGE

Ex. F, FIG 1.

Ex. G

Ex. F, FIG. 2.

Ex. G

Ex. F, FIG. 5.

Ex. G

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54. The 2013 Kia Sportage was publicly available, sold, and purchased by consumers 

and images of the 2013 Kia Sportage were publicly available at least as early as 2012, and it thus 

constitutes prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(1).

55. Any difference between the ’532 Patent and the 2013 Kia Sportage is suggested by 

the secondary reference, the 2015 Opel Corsa. See Exhibit H.

56. The appearance of the hood of the 2015 Opel Corsa is so related to the 2013 Kia 

Sportage that the appearance of features in one would suggest the application to the other:

2013 KIA SPORTAGE 2015 OPEL CORSA

EX. G EX. H

57. The underside of the 2015 Opel Corsa has a similar overall shape as the 2013 Kia 

Sportage.

58. The 2015 Opel Corsa was publicly available, sold, and purchased by consumers 

and images of the 2015 Opel Corsa were publicly available at least as early as February 5, 2015, 

and it thus constitutes prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(1).

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59. As shown below, the additional features of the Opel Corsa combined with the 2013

Kia Sportage would create a design with substantially the same overall visual appearance of the 

’532 Patent:

’532 PATENT 2015 OPEL CORSA

Ex. F, FIG. 7. 

EX. H

60. Given the relatedness in designs, an ordinary designer would have been motivated 

to combine the 2013 Kia Sportage with the Opel Corsa to arrive at a design that is substantially 

the same as the claimed design of the ’532 Patent. 

61. Thus, the ’532 Patent is invalid as obvious.

62. The 2011 Kia Sorento is a reference that is basically the same as the claimed design 

of the ’532 Patent. The below chart compares exemplary images of the 2011 Kia Sorento to the 

claimed design of the ’532 Patent:

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’532 PATENT 2011 KIA SORENTO

Ex. F, FIG 1. Ex. I

Ex. F, FIG. 2.

Ex. I

Ex. F, FIG. 5.

Ex. I

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63. The 2011 Kia Sorento was publicly available, sold, and purchased by consumers 

and images of the 2011 Kia Sorento were publicly available at least as early as 2009, and it thus 

constitutes prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(1).

64. Any difference between the ’532 Patent and the 2011 Kia Sorento is suggested by 

the secondary reference, the 2015 Opel Corsa. 

65. The appearance of the hood of the Opel Corsa is so related to the 2011 Kia Sorento

that the appearance of features in one would suggest its application to the other:

2011 KIA SORENTO 2015 OPEL CORSA

EX. I

EX. H

66. The underside of the Opel Corsa has a similar overall shape as the 2011 Kia 

Sorento.

67. As shown below, the additional features of the Opel Corsa combined with the 2011 

Kia Sorento would create a design with substantially the same overall visual appearance of the 

’532 Patent:

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’532 PATENT 2015 OPEL CORSA

Ex. F, FIG. 7. 

EX. H

68. Given the relatedness in designs, an ordinary designer would have been motivated 

to combine the 2011 Kia Sorento with the Opel Corsa to arrive at a design that is substantially the 

same as the claimed design of the ’532 Patent. 

69. Thus, the ’532 Patent is invalid as obvious.

INVALIDITY ALLEGATIONS – THE ’743 PATENT

70. The ’743 Patent was filed in the United States on December 22, 2015 and issued 

on May 16, 2017. See Exhibit J. It was subject to an Ex Parte Quayle Action by the Examiner to 

amend the description of Figure 3 and the broken line statement. 

71. The ’743 Patent claims “[t]he ornamental design for a vehicle lower grille, as shown 

and described” and contains the below four figures and descriptions:

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Ex. J, FIG 1. “FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the 

vehicle lower grille.” Id. at 1.

Ex. J, FIG. 2. “FIG. 2 is a front view thereof.” 

Id. at 1.

Ex. J, FIG. 3. “FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof.” 

Id. at 1. Ex. J, FIG. 4. “FIG. 4 is a left side elevation 

view thereof (where the right side elevation 

view is omitted since the right side elevation 

view is mirror image of the left side elevation 

view).” Id. at 1.

72. The broken lines shown in the figures are not claimed. Ex. J, at 1 (“The broken 

lines shown depict environment only and form no part of the claimed design.”).

73. The ’743 Patent is invalid as obvious over the prior art.

74. There are three non-redundant grounds that render the ’743 Patent obvious:

• Obvious over U.S. Patent No. D680,921 (“Jara”) in view of the 2014 Ford Fiesta;

• Obvious over Jara in view of the 2013 Ford Fusion; and

• Obvious over Jara in view of the Subaru Legacy Concept.

75. Jara is a reference that is basically the same design as the ’743 Patent. The below 

chart compares the figures of Jara with the figures of the claimed design of the ’743 Patent:

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’743 PATENT JARA

Ex. J, FIG 1.

Ex. K, FIG 7.

Ex. J, FIG. 2. Ex. K, FIG. 3 (inverted).

Ex. J, FIG. 4

Ex. K, FIG. 5 (inverted)

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76. Jara was filed on December 29, 2011, and issued on April 30, 2013, and it thus 

constitutes prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(1).

77. Any difference between the ’743 Patent and Jara is suggested by the secondary 

reference, the 2014 Ford Fiesta. See Exhibits L, M.

78. The appearance of the grilles of the 2014 Ford Fiesta is so related to Jara that the 

appearance of features in one would suggest its application to the other:

JARA 2014 FORD FIESTA

Ex. K, FIG. 3 (inverted).

Ex. L

79. The 2014 Ford Fiesta was publicly available, sold, and purchased by consumers 

and images of the 2014 Ford Fiesta were publicly available at least as early as May 17, 2014, and 

it thus constitutes prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(1).

80. As shown below, the additional features of the 2014 Ford Fiesta combined with 

Jara would create a design with substantially the same overall visual appearance of the ’743 Patent:

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’743 PATENT 2014 FORD FIESTA

Ex. J, FIG 1.

Ex. M, at 1.

Ex. J, FIG. 2.

Ex. L, at 1.

81. Given the relatedness in designs, an ordinary designer would have been motivated 

to combine Jara with the 2014 Ford Fiesta to arrive at a design that is substantially the same as the 

claimed design of the ’743 Patent. 

82. Thus, the ’743 Patent is invalid as obvious.

83. As shown above, Jara is basically the same as the claimed design of the ’743 Patent. 

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84. Any difference between the ’743 Patent and Jara is suggested by the 2013 Ford 

Fusion. See Exhibit N.

85. The appearance of the grilles of Jara and the 2013 Ford Fusion are so related that 

the existence of features in one would suggest their application to the other:

JARA 2013 FORD FUSION

Ex. K, FIG. 3 (inverted).

Ex. N

86. The 2013 Ford Fusion was publicly available, sold, and purchased by consumers 

and images of the 2013 Ford Fusion were publicly available at least as early as November 13, 

2013, and it thus constitutes prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(1).

87. As shown below, the additional features of the 2013 Ford Fusion combined with 

Jara would create a design with substantially the same overall visual appearance of the ’743 Patent:

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’743 PATENT 2013 FORD FUSION

Ex. J FIG 1.

Ex. N, at 1.

88. Given the relatedness in designs, an ordinary designer would have been motivated 

to combine Jara with the 2013 Ford Fusion to arrive at a design that is substantially the same as 

the claimed design of the ’743 Patent. 

89. Thus, the ’743 Patent is invalid as obvious.

90. As shown above, Jara is basically the same as the ’743 Patent.

91. Any difference between Jara and the ’743 Patent is suggested by the Subaru Legacy 

Concept. See Exhibit O.

92. The appearance of the grilles of Jara and the Subaru Legacy Concept are so related 

that the existence of features in one would suggest their application to the other:

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JARA SUBARU LEGACY CONCEPT

Ex. K, FIG. 3 (inverted).

Ex. O

93. The Subaru Legacy Concept was publicly available, and images of the Subaru 

Legacy Concept were publicly available at least as early as November 15, 2013, and it thus 

constitutes prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(1).

94. As shown below, the additional features of the Subaru Legacy Concept combined 

with Jara would create a design with substantially the same overall visual appearance of the ’743 

Patent:

’743 PATENT SUBARU LEGACY CONCEPT

Ex. J, FIG 1.

Ex. O, at 1.

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95. Given the relatedness in the designs, an ordinary designer would have been 

motivated to combine Jara with the Subaru Legacy Concept to arrive at a design that is 

substantially the same as the claimed design of the ’743 Patent. 

96. Thus, the ’743 Patent is invalid as obvious.

INVALIDITY ALLEGATIONS – THE ’825 PATENT

97. The ’825 Patent was filed in the United States on March 16, 2017 and issued on 

August 7, 2018 without any office actions. See Exhibit P. 

98. The ’825 Patent claims “[t]he ornamental design for a vehicle hood, as shown and

described” and contains the below four figures and descriptions:

Ex. P, FIG 1. “FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the 

vehicle hood.” Id. at 1.

Ex. P, FIG. 2. “FIG. 2 is a left side view

thereof (where the right side view is a mirror 

image of the left side view).” Id. at 1.

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Ex. P, FIG. 3. “FIG. 3 is a front view thereof.” 

Id. at 1.

Ex. P, FIG. 4. “FIG. 4 is a top view thereof.” 

Id. at 1.

99. The broken lines shown in the figures are not claimed. Ex. P, at 1 (“The broken 

lines in the drawings illustrate portions of the vehicle hood that form no part of the claimed 

design.”).

100. The ’825 Patent is invalid as anticipated and/or obvious over the prior art.

101. There are two alternative, non-redundant grounds that render the ’825 Patent 

anticipated and/or obvious:

• Anticipated by the 2011 Buick Regal, and

• Obvious over the 2014 SEAT Leon Cupra in view of the Subaru Impreza 5-Door 

Concept.

102. The 2011 Buick Regal is a reference that is substantially the same as the ’825 

Patent. The below chart compares exemplary images of the 2011 Buick Regal with the figures of 

the claimed design of the ’825 Patent:

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’825 PATENT 2011 BUICK REGAL

Ex. P, FIG 1. 

EX. Q

Ex. P, FIG. 3.

EX. Q

Ex. P, FIG. 4. Ex. Q

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103. The 2011 Buick Regal was publicly available, sold, and purchased by consumers 

and images of the 2011 Buick Regal were publicly available at least as early as 2010, and it thus 

constitutes prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(1).

104. Any difference between the 2011 Buick Regal and the ’825 Patent are de minims.

105. An ordinary observer would believe that the designs of the 2011 Buick Regal hood 

and the ’825 Patent are substantially the same. 

106. Thus, the ’825 Patent is invalid as anticipated. 

107. In the alternative, the ’825 Patent is invalid as obvious over the 2014 Seat Leon 

Cupra in light of the Subaru Impreza 5-Door Concept.

108. The 2014 Seat Leon Cupra is a design that is basically the same as the ’825 Patent. 

The below chart is a comparison of exemplary images of the 2014 Seat with the figures of the ’825 

Patent:

’825 PATENT 2014 SEAT LEON CUPRA

Ex. P, FIG 1. EX. R

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109. The 2014 Seat Leon Cupra was publicly available, sold, and purchased by 

consumers and images of the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra were publicly available at least as early as 

March 7, 2014, and it thus constitutes prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(1).

110. Any difference between the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra and the ’825 Patent is suggested 

by the Subaru Impreza 5-Door Concept.

111. The appearance of the hood of the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra is so related to the hood 

of the Subaru Impreza 5-Door Concept that the appearance of features in one would suggest its 

application to the other:

2014 SEAT LEON CUPRA SUBARU 5-DOOR CONCEPT

EX. R

Ex. S

112. As shown below, the additional features of the Subaru 5-Door Concept combined 

with the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra would create a design with substantially the same overall visual 

appearance of the ’825 Patent:

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’825 PATENT SUBARU 5-DOOR CONCEPT

Ex. P, FIG. 3.

Ex. S.

113. The Subaru 5-Door Concept was publicly available, and images of the Subaru 5-

Door Concept were publicly available at least as early as October 29, 2015, and it thus constitutes 

prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(1).

114. Given the relatedness of the designs, an ordinary designer would have been

motivated to combine the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra with the Subaru 5-Door Concept to arrive at a 

design that is substantially the same as the claimed design of the ’825 Patent. 

115. Thus, the ’825 Patent is invalid as obvious.

INVALIDITY ALLEGATIONS – THE ’285 PATENT

116. The ’285 Patent was filed in the United States on July 20, 2017 and issued on 

February 12, 2019 without any office actions. See Exhibit T. 

117. The ’285 Patent claims “[t]he ornamental design for a vehicle grille bezel, as shown 

and described” and contains the below four figures and descriptions:

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Ex. T, FIG 1. “FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the 

vehicle grille bezel.” Id. at 1. Ex. T, FIG. 2. “FIG. 2 is a front view thereof.” 

Id. at 1.

Ex. T, FIG. 3. “FIG. 3 is a side view thereof.” Id. 

at 1.

Ex. T, FIG. 4. “FIG. 4 is a top view thereof.” 

Id. at 1.

118. The broken lines shown in the figures are not claimed. Ex. T, at 1 (“The broken 

lines in the drawings illustrate portions of the vehicle grille bezel that form no part of the claimed 

design.”).

119. The ’285 Patent is invalid as anticipated and/or obvious over the prior art.

120. The 2015 Saleen Mustang grille bezel s a reference that is basically the same design 

as the ’285 Patent. The below chart compares exemplary images of the 2015 Saleen Mustang with 

the figures of the claimed design of the ’285 Patent:

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’285 PATENT 2015 SALEEN MUSTANG

Ex. T, FIG. 2. 

Ex. U, FIG 1.

121. The 2015 Saleen Mustang was publicly available, sold, and purchased by 

consumers and images of the 2015 Saleen Mustang were publicly available at least as early as 

August 17, 2015, and it thus constitutes prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(1).

122. Any difference between the 2015 Saleen Mustang and the ’285 Patent are de 

minims.

123. An ordinary observer would believe that the designs of the 2015 Saleen Mustang 

grille bezel and the ’285 Patent are substantially the same. 

124. Thus, the ’285 Patent is invalid as anticipated and/or obvious. 

INVALIDITY ALLEGATIONS – UNPATENTABLE COMPONENTS

125. The ’743 Patent; the ’825 Patent; the ’532 Patent; and the ’285 Patent are invalid

because they are designs applied to functionless component parts of a functional whole vehicle, 

and therefore empower GM with the ability to improperly subvert the exhaustion doctrine and 

prevent consumers from exercising their right to repair their own vehicles.

126. Design patents are limited to “articles of manufacture.” 35. U.S.C. § 171. 

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127. The original meaning of an “article of manufacture” was an article that was 

complete in itself, and not a part or sub-part of something that needed further assembly to be 

functional.1 

128. The ‘743 Patent’ ’825 Patent; ’532 Patent; and ’285 Patent are design patents for 

the ornamental designs of, respectively, a vehicle grille, two vehicle hoods, and a vehicle grille 

bezel. These are minor, sub-parts of a larger item, the entire vehicle.

129. Patents on these sub-parts contravene the consumer’s right to repair their own 

vehicle. The consumer has already purchased a vehicle embodying the design patent for the 

grille, hood, or bezel, , and so the consumer also has the right to repair the article that she has 

paid for, as long as she is not reconstructing a new patented article. 

130. As the ’743 Patent; the ’825 Patent; the ’532 Patent; and the ’285 Patent are not 

designs for “articles of manufacture,” but an impermissible attempt to circumvent patent 

exhaustion and the consumer’s right to repair her vehicle, these patents should be found invalid.

COUNT I – NON-INFRINGMENT OF THE ’903 PATENT

131. LKQ realleges and incorporates Paragraphs 1–130 as if fully set forth herein.

132. LKQ does not infringe the ’903 Patent because LKQ is licensed to the ’903 Patent.

1 LKQ believes that there is a non-frivolous argument for extending, modifying, or reversing 

existing law or for establishing new law regarding the patentability of functionless component 

parts. See, e.g., Sarah Burstein, The “Article of Manufacture” in 1887, 32 BERKELEY TECH. 

L.J. 1 (2017), at 5, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/ papers.cfm?abstract_id=2850604 (in 1887, 

“article of manufacture” was a term of art that “referred to a tangible item made by humans—other 

than a machine or composition of matter—that had a unitary structure and was complete in itself

for use or for sale”). 

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133. As a result of the acts described in the foregoing paragraphs, a substantial 

controversy of sufficient immediacy and concreteness exists to warrant the issuance of a 

declaratory judgment that LKQ does not infringe the claim of the ’903 Patent.

COUNT II – NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THE ’731 PATENT

134. LKQ realleges and incorporates Paragraphs 1–133 as if fully set forth herein.

135. LKQ does not infringe the ’731 Patent because LKQ is licensed to the ’731 Patent.

136. As a result of the acts described in the foregoing paragraphs, a substantial 

controversy of sufficient immediacy and concreteness exists to warrant the issuance of a 

declaratory judgment that LKQ does not infringe the claim of the ’731 Patent.

COUNT III– NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THE ’532 PATENT

137. LKQ realleges and incorporates Paragraphs 1–136 as if fully set forth herein.

138. LKQ does not infringe the ’532 Patent because the part that LKQ produces is not 

within the scope of and does not infringe the claim of the ’532 Patent.

139. As a result of the acts described in the foregoing paragraphs, a substantial 

controversy of sufficient immediacy and concreteness exists to warrant the issuance of a 

declaratory judgment that LKQ does not infringe the claim of the ’731 Patent.

COUNT IV – INVALIDITY OF THE ’532 PATENT

140. LKQ realleges and incorporates Paragraphs 1–139 as if fully set forth herein.

141. The claim of the ’532 Patent is invalid as obvious over the prior art.

142. The claim of the ’532 Patent is further invalid because it is not an “article of 

manufacture,” but rather a component part. 

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143. As a result of the acts described in the foregoing paragraphs, a substantial 

controversy of sufficient immediacy and concreteness exists to warrant the issuance of a 

declaratory judgment that the claim of the ’532 Patent is invalid.

COUNT V – INVALIDITY OF THE ’743 PATENT

144. LKQ realleges and incorporates Paragraphs 1–143 as if fully set forth herein.

145. The claim of the ’743 Patent is invalid as obvious over the prior art.

146. The claim of the ’743 Patent is further invalid because it is not an “article of 

manufacture,” but rather a component part. 

147. As a result of the acts described in the foregoing paragraphs, a substantial 

controversy of sufficient immediacy and concreteness exists to warrant the issuance of a 

declaratory judgment that the claim of the ’743 Patent is invalid.

COUNT VI – INVALIDITY OF THE ’825 PATENT

148. LKQ realleges and incorporates Paragraphs 1–147 as if fully set forth herein.

149. The claim of the ’825 Patent is invalid as anticipated and/or obvious over the prior 

art.

150. The claim of the ’825 Patent is further invalid because it is not an “article of 

manufacture,” but rather a component part. 

151. As a result of the acts described in the foregoing paragraphs, a substantial 

controversy of sufficient immediacy and concreteness exists to warrant the issuance of a 

declaratory judgment that the claim of the ’825 Patent is invalid.

COUNT VII – INVALIDITY OF THE ’285 PATENT

152. LKQ realleges and incorporates Paragraphs 1–151 as if fully set forth herein.

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153. The claim of the ’285 Patent is invalid as anticipated and/or obvious over the prior 

art.

154. The claim of the ’532 Patent is further invalid because it is not an “article of 

manufacture,” but rather a component part. 

155. As a result of the acts described in the foregoing paragraphs, a substantial 

controversy of sufficient immediacy and concreteness exists to warrant the issuance of a 

declaratory judgment that the claim of the ’285 Patent is invalid.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, LKQ prays for:

a. A declaration that LKQ has not infringed and is not infringing, directly or indirectly, the 

claim of the ’903, ’731, and ’532 Patents;

b. A declaration that the single claims of the ’532, ’743, ’825, and ’285 Patents are invalid;

c. An order that GM and each of its officers, employees, agents, attorneys, and any persons 

in active concert or participation with them are restrained and enjoined from further 

prosecuting or instituting any action against LKQ or the purchasers of LKQ’s products 

claiming that the alleged patents are infringed or from representing that LKQ’s products or 

their use un networks operated by purchasers of those products infringe the alleged patents;

d. A declaration that this is an exceptional case under 35 U.S.C § 285;

e. An Award to LKQ of its costs and attorney’s fees;

f. Such other relief as this Court or a jury may deem proper and just under the circumstances.

JURY DEMAND

LKQ demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable.

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Dated: May 6, 2020 Respectfully submitted, 

/s/ Barry F. Irwin, P.C. 

Barry F. Irwin, P.C. 

Reid P. Huefner 

Chris D. Eggert 

Manon L. Burns 

IRWIN IP LLC 

222 South Riverside Plaza 

Suite 2350 

Chicago, IL 60606 

(312) 667-6080 

birwin@irwinip.com 

rhuefner@irwinip.com 

ceggert@irwinip.com 

mburns@irwinip.com

Attorneys for Plaintiff LKQ 

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