Source: https://www.scribd.com/document/147860630/Natural-Alternatives-International-v-Woodbolt-Distribution-et-al
Timestamp: 2016-09-30 01:09:47
Document Index: 119668838

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 1331', '§ 1391', 'art 111', '§ 271', '§ 283', '§ 284', '§ 284', '§ 285', 'art76']

Natural Alternatives International v. Woodbolt Distribution et. al.
BrowseBrowseInterestsBiography & MemoirBusiness & LeadershipFiction & LiteraturePolitics & EconomyHealth & WellnessSociety & CultureHappiness & Self-HelpMystery, Thriller & CrimeHistoryYoung AdultBrowse byBooksAudiobooksComicsSheet MusicBrowse allUploadSign inJoinBooksAudiobooksComicsSheet MusicIN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS Houston Division __________________________________________ ) NATURAL ALTERNATIVES) INTERNATIONAL, INC., ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) Civil Action No. _____ v. ) ) JURY TRIAL DEMANDED WOODBOLT DISTRIBUTION, LLC, ) also known as Cellucor; GNC CORPORATION; ) and BODYBUILDING.COM, LLC, ) ) Defendants. ) __________________________________________) COMPLAINT Plaintiff, Natural Alternatives International, Inc. (“NAI”), for its complaint against defendants, Woodbolt Distribution, LLC, also known as Cellucor (“Woodbolt”), GNC Corporation (“GNC”), and Bodybuilding.com, LLC (“Bodybuilding.com”) (collectively, “Defendants”) alleges as follows: PARTIES 1. California. 2. Woodbolt is a Texas limited liability corporation with its principal place of NAI is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in San Marcos,
business located at 715 N. Main St., Bryan, Texas. Its products and services are offered to and may be purchased and/or used by citizens of Texas. Woodbolt owns, maintains and/or operates a website at www.cellucor.com, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 3. GNC Corporation is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business
located at 300 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222. Its products and services are
028284.0132\4819-4992-9236.1.
offered to and may be purchased and/or used by citizens of Texas. GNC owns, maintains and/or operates a website at www.gnc.com, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 4. Bodybuilding.com is a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place
of business located at 2026 S Silverstone Way, Meridian, Idaho 83642. Its products and services are offered to and may be purchased and/or used by citizens of Texas. Bodybuilding.com owns, maintains and/or operates a website at www.bodybuilding.com, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 5. This is an action for patent infringement arising from Title 35 of the United States
Code, 35 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq. 6. Exclusive jurisdiction over this matter is conferred upon the Court pursuant to 28
U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1338. 7. The exercise of personal jurisdiction over the defendant comports with the laws of
this State and the constitutional requirements of due process because the defendants transact business and/or offer to transact business within this State. 8. Venue is proper in this District under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391, 1400(b). FACTS NAI 9. NAI is a leading formulator, manufacturer and marketer of nutritional
supplements and provides strategic partnering services to its customers. NAI is a publicly traded company. 10. NAI’s comprehensive partnership approach offers a wide range of innovative
nutritional products and services to their clients including: scientific research, clinical studies, proprietary ingredients, customer-specific nutritional product formulation, product testing and
evaluation, marketing management and support, packaging and delivery system design, regulatory review and international product registration assistance. 11. NAI scientifically designs and customizes nutritional products based on the
unique needs of individual clients. New products and formulas are researched and tested prior to full-scale production. NAI routinely produces pilot or sample runs of product formulation prototypes to ensure stability and/or efficacy and to determine ingredient interaction and prospective customer acceptance of the final product. NAI also directs and participates in clinical research studies to establish consumer benefits and scientific efficacy supporting both product claims and marketing initiatives. 12. NAI certifies that each raw material used meets or exceeds the requirements of
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia (TGA). Raw materials are also tested to ensure that they are free of harmful pesticides and herbicides and are compliant with state and federal requirements for heavy metal concentration. compliance with 21 CFR Part 111 requirements. 13. NAI’s marketing and product development experts are accomplished in the areas All of these tests are done by NAI to be in
of market research, supplement design, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, international product registration and regulatory compliance. NAI provides in-house graphic design capabilities and works with clients to create label designs, brochures, videos and other promotional tools to appropriately market its products. The combination of these components is part of a cohesive strategy designed to increase mass-market consciousness, boost brand awareness among the health-conscious consumers and facilitate expansion into new markets and channels of distribution.
NAI’s success in the formulation, development, manufacturing and marketing of
specialized products is predicated on its dedication to research and development, technology, science and state-of-the-art manufacturing. The comprehensive services NAI offers have established NAI as an innovator in the field of nutritional science. 15. NAI is the owner by assignment of U.S. Patent No. 8,067,381 (“the ‘381 patent”),
issued on or about November 29, 2011 and entitled "Methods and compositions for increasing the anaerobic working capacity in tissues". A true and correct copy of the ‘381 patent is attached as Exhibit 1 and incorporated by reference. 16. NAI is the owner by assignment of U.S. Patent No. 8,129,422 (“the ‘422 patent”),
issued on or about March 6, 2012 and entitled “Methods and compositions for increasing the anaerobic working capacity in tissues”. A true and correct copy of the ‘422 patent is attached as Exhibit 2 and incorporated by reference. 17. NAI owns other United States patents and foreign equivalents related to beta-
alanine. NAI also owns the entire right, title and interest to the CarnoSyn® trademark, Serial No. 78372235 and Registration No. 3146289. 18. NAI licenses its beta-alanine patents to Compound Solutions, Inc. (“CSI”). CSI is
a global importer and supplier of raw ingredients to contract manufacturers, formulators and distributors in the nutritional supplement, food, beverage, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. CSI imports and sells beta-alanine to companies that include the beta-alanine in products for the nutritional supplement market. CSI distributes beta-alanine in the United States. NAI derives its revenue in part from royalty payments made by CSI, where the royalty payments are directly tied to CSI sales of beta-alanine.
Defendants 19. Woodbolt is a supplier of sports nutrition supplements, including supplements
containing beta-alanine. Woodbolt provides instructions related to the use of sports nutrition supplements, including instructions related to the use and consumption of products containing beta-alanine. 20. Woodbolt manufactures, uses, offers for sale and sells products that contain beta-
alanine, including without limitation, Neon Sport™ Volt™. 21. On or about May 15, 2013, Woodbolt posted a comment to its Twitter page
representing to the public that Volt™ contains beta-alanine: Neon Sport @NeonSport Welcome VOLT. An in your face, high energy pre-workout with unmatched doses of Beta Alanine, Agmatine, and Citrulline pic.twitter.com/cQ062Xx2Ds
issued its
(http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/5/prweb10757436.htm)
(https://www.facebook.com/neonsportbrand) further representing to the public that Volt™ contains beta-alanine:
Volt’s signature ingredient is surely beta-alanine, and at max dose, Volt™ delivers, in many cases, more than 2x the amount of max dosed competing products. 23. On or about June 3, 2013, Woodbolt posted a picture of its Volt™ product
packaging to its Twitter page, confirming that Volt™ contains beta-alanine: Neon Sport @NeonSport VOLT. FACTS. #here pic.twitter.com/2mFXSjpQUo
Woodbolt’s product is advertised and marketed to the public via the product’s
website (NeonSport.com), Facebook, and Twitter, as confirmed by the May 22 press release. The May 22 press release further confirmed that Volt™ will debut in three flavors – Electric Punch, Berry-Pomegranate and Watermelon – and such product may be purchased in retail stores (such as GNC), on Woodbolt’s website (NeonSport.com), and from third-party websites (such as www.bodybuilding.com and www.gnc.com ) beginning June 2013. On June 11, 2013, Woodbolt announced that “Cellucor is ‘taking over’ GNC stores across the country, giving customers a taste of what its premium sports nutrition and weight loss supplements have to offer. The “Cellucor Market Takeover” will kick off June 11th and will continue through July 4th, spanning -6-
(http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebCellucorGNCTakeover/2013/prweb10818906.htm). GNC and Woodbolt are also promoting the Neo Sport Volt product at a GNC Livewell Conference currently being held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(https://twitter.com/NeonSport/status/344853582912299008). 25. 26. https://twitter.com/NeonSport/status/344853582912299008 Volt™ is currently available for purchase on GNC’s website, at
http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=21578966, which includes the product’s supplement panel and label (pictured below), showing beta-alanine as an ingredient:
An independent product review reported that Woodbolt confirmed Volt™ will
include a high quantity of beta-alanine as an ingredient: Volt’s formula will revolve around beta-alanine, the commonly used antifatigue and endurance enhancing formula. According to the makers, Volt will contain 2 times more beta-alanine than most competing products when used at maximum dose (possibly 10g serve). [http://www.mrsupplement.com.au/neon-sport-volt-review] -7-
According to United States Customs data, Woodbolt has directly imported beta-
alanine from a Chinese company, Shanghai Yongyi Biotechnology Co. Ltd. On or about May 13, 2013, Woodbolt imported 11,200 kilograms of beta-alanine. On or about June 4, 2013, Woodbolt imported 22,400 kilograms of beta-alanine. The imported product is included in Woodbolt’s Volt™ or other infringing products. 29. Defendants make, import, use, offer for sale and/or sell products that fall within
the scope of one or more claims of the ‘381 and ‘422 patents. In addition, Defendants contribute to and induce others to infringe one or more claims of the ‘381 and ‘422 patents. 30. The identity of direct infringers of the ‘381 and ‘422 patents, i.e., specific
Woodbolt, GNC, and Bodybuilding.com customers that have purchased and/or used the Volt™ product, will be ascertained through discovery of Defendants and third parties. 31. Defendants knowingly induced and contributed to the infringing acts by their
customers and they had the specific intent to encourage another’s infringement of the ‘381 and ‘422 patents and there is no substantial non-infringing use for such product. 32. Defendants are not licensed or authorized to use NAI’s intellectual property
(including the ‘381 and ‘422 patents) for all of the products it sells or methods it teaches. 33. issuance. 34. The documents referred to herein are incorporated by reference. COUNT I (Patent Infringement – Woodbolt) 35. 36. The foregoing allegations of this complaint are incorporated by reference. Woodbolt has made, used, sold, offered for sale and/or imported products Defendants had actual knowledge of the patents-in-suit shortly after their
embodying the patented invention, thereby infringing, literally or under the doctrine of -8-
equivalents, one or more claims of the ‘381 and ‘422 patents, and will continue to do so unless enjoined therefrom. 37. Woodbolt has contributed to the use, sale and/or offer for sale by others of its
infringing products, methods and services. 38. Woodbolt has induced the use, sale and/or offer for sale by others of its infringing
products, methods and services. 39. 40. Woodbolt’s infringement has been willful. NAI has been irreparably harmed by Woodbolt’s acts of infringement and have
suffered damages in an amount to be determined at trial. COUNT II (Patent Infringement – GNC) 41. 42. The foregoing allegations of this complaint are incorporated by reference. GNC has made, used, sold, and/or offered for sale products embodying the
patented invention, thereby infringing, literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, one or more claims of the ‘381 and ‘422 patents, and will continue to do so unless enjoined therefrom. 43. GNC has contributed to the use, sale and/or offer for sale by others of its
infringing products, methods and services. 44. GNC has induced the use, sale and/or offer for sale by others of its infringing
products, methods and services. 45. 46. GNC’s infringement has been willful. NAI has been irreparably harmed by GNC’s acts of infringement and have
COUNT IIII (Patent Infringement – Bodybuilding.com) 47. 48. The foregoing allegations of this complaint are incorporated by reference. Bodybuilding.com has made, used, sold, and/or offered for sale products
embodying the patented invention, thereby infringing, literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, one or more claims of the ‘381 and ‘422 patents, and will continue to do so unless enjoined therefrom. 49. Bodybuilding.com has contributed to the use, sale and/or offer for sale by others
of its infringing products, methods and services. 50. Bodybuilding.com has induced the use, sale and/or offer for sale by others of its
infringing products, methods and services. 51. 52. Bodybuilding.com’s infringement has been willful. NAI has been irreparably harmed by Bodybuilding.com’s acts of infringement
and have suffered damages in an amount to be determined at trial. REQUEST FOR RELIEF NAI respectfully requests that this Court enter judgment against defendants and that the following relief be granted: a. judgment that Defendants have infringed one or more claims of the ‘381 and ‘422 patents (35 U.S.C. § 271); b. judgment that Defendants’ infringement of claims of the ‘381 and ‘422 patents was willful; c. preliminary and permanent injunction against continued infringement (35 U.S.C. § 283); d. damages for past infringement (35 U.S.C. § 284);
increased and trebled damages for willful infringement (35 U.S.C. § 284); imposition of a constructive trust on all proceeds from the sale of accused products;
attorneys’ fees as allowed by law, including without limitation, 35 U.S.C. § 285; costs pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(d) or otherwise provided by law; and such other relief as the Court deems just and appropriate under the circumstances. JURY DEMAND
Respectfully submitted, /s/ Richard J. Oparil Glenn A. Ballard, Jr. State Bar No. 01650200 BRACEWELL & GUILIANI South Tower Pennzoil Place 711 Louisiana, Suite 2300 Houston, Texas 77002 (713) 223-2300 (713) 221-1212 (fax) Richard J. Oparil S.D. Texas Bar No. 30422 PATTON BOGGS LLP 2550 M Street, NW Washington, DC 20037 (202) 457-6000 (202) 457-6315 (fax) roparil@pattonboggs.com
Caroline Cook Maxwell State Bar No. 24055341 S.D. Texas Bar No. 927197 PATTON BOGGS LLP 2000 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1700 Dallas, TX 75201 (214) 758-1500 Attorneys for Plaintiff Natural Alternatives International, Inc. Of Counsel: Scott Chambers, Ph.D. Kevin M. Bell PATTON BOGGS LLP 2550 M Street, NW Washington, DC 20037 (202) 457-6000
Natural Alternatives International v. Woodbolt Distribution et. al. by PriorSmart76 viewsEmbedDownloadDescriptionOfficial Complaint for Patent Infringement in Civil Action No. 4:13-cv-01742: Natural Alternatives International, Inc. v. Woodbolt Distribution, LLC et. al. Filed in U.S. District Court for the Sou...Official Complaint for Patent Infringement in Civil Action No. 4:13-cv-01742: Natural Alternatives International, Inc. v. Woodbolt Distribution, LLC et. al. Filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, no judge yet assigned. See http://news.priorsmart.com/-l8Av for more info.Interests: Types, Business/Law, Court FilingsRead on Scribd mobile: iPhone, iPad and Android.Copyright: Public DomainDownload as PDF, TXT or read online from ScribdFlag for inappropriate contentShow moreShow less
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