Source: https://www.scribd.com/document/106414025/Graco-Children-s-Products-v-Kids-II
Timestamp: 2018-10-22 05:40:49
Document Index: 19095625

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 1331', '§ 1', '§ 1391', '§ 271', '§ 283', '§ 284', '§ 283', '§ 284', '§ 283', '§ 284', '§ 283', '§ 284', '§ 284', '§ 285', '§ 284', '§ 284', '§\n285']

Graco Children's Products v. Kids II | Patent Infringement | Patent
Official Complaint for Patent Infringement in Civil Action No. 1:12-cv-03246-SCJ: Graco Children's Products Inc. v. Kids II, Inc. Filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ge…Full description
Graco Children&#39;s Products v. Kids II
3M Innovative Properties Company Et. Al. v. GDC Et. Al.
GRACO CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS INC., ) ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) ) KIDS II, INC. ) ) Defendant. )
COMPLAINT The Plaintiff, Graco Children’s Products Inc. (“Graco”), hereby files this Complaint against Defendant Kids II, Inc. (“Kids II”) and avers as follows: NATURE OF THE ACTION 1. This is an action for patent infringement under the patent laws of the
United States, Title 35, United States Code. 2. Graco, a leading provider of children’s products, has a tradition of
innovation. For example, Graco invented the world’s first wind-up infant swing and the first product that allowed for an infant car seat to be readily inserted into or removed from a stroller.
In keeping with that tradition, Graco invented a novel infant soothing
swing that is able to mimic the natural side-to-side swaying motion of a parent or caregiver while cradling an infant. Graco obtained patents directed to the numerous inventions in its swing, including U.S. Patent Nos. 7,563,170; 7,883,426; 8,029,377; and 8,187,111 (collectively, “the Graco Patents”). 4. Kids II has recently begun to offer a soothing swing product under the
designation “InGenuity Cozy Coo Sway Seat” (the “InGenuity child sway product”) that mimics a caregiver’s side-to-side swaying motion. This product is available on the Kids II website and at various retailers including, for example, Target. 5. On information and belief, Kids II has knowledge of one or more of
the Graco Patents. In fact, Kids II has hired certain former Graco employees who were involved with or knowledgeable of Graco’s development of one or more of the inventions described and claimed in the Graco Patents. 6. By making, using, offering for sale or selling the InGenuity child
sway product, Kids II is infringing one or more claims of each of the Graco Patents. Graco seeks preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, and monetary relief. Moreover, given the circumstances of such infringement, including Kids II’s unique access to and knowledge of the Graco technology and the Graco 2
Patents, the present case is exceptional and Graco is entitled to enhanced damages and an award of its attorneys fees. PARTIES 7. Graco is a Delaware corporation with a place of business at 3
Glenlake Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. 8. On information and belief, Kids II is a Georgia corporation with a
place of business at 3333 Piedmont Road, Suite 1800, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 9. § 1 et seq. 10. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to This is an action under the patent laws of the United States, 35 U.S.C.
28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338 because this Complaint includes a cause of action for patent infringement under the laws of the United States, 35 U.S.C. § 1 et seq. 11. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Kids II consistent with the
principles underlying the United States Constitution because, upon information and belief, Kids II has committed acts of infringement in the State of Georgia, or is doing business and has done business in the State of Georgia and in this District, or is otherwise a resident of this jurisdiction.
12. 1400.
Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391 and/or
FACTUAL BACKGROUND 13. Graco invests substantial time and effort in the research and
development of new products. The Graco research and development staff has developed a wide range of children’s products, including, for example, infant swings, car seats, strollers, playards, and high chairs. Graco has a tradition of innovation that is reflected in such products. 14. Graco, through its research and development staff, invented a novel
infant soothing swing that mimics the natural swaying motion of a parent or other caregiver while cradling an infant. 15. Graco has commercialized its infant soothing swing by offering such
swings for sale in Georgia and elsewhere. 16. Graco has obtained and owns patents directed to the inventions
embodied in its infant soothing swing. 17. On July 21, 2009, after a full and fair examination, the United States
Patent and Trademark Office issued United States Patent No. 7,563,170 (“the ‘170 Patent”), entitled “CHILD MOTION DEVICE.” A true and correct copy of the
‘170 Patent is attached hereto as Exhibit A. Graco owns all right, title, and interest to the ‘170 Patent, including the right to sue for infringement thereof. 18. On February 8, 2011, after a full and fair examination, the United
States Patent and Trademark Office issued United States Patent No. 7,883,426 (“the ‘426 Patent”), entitled “CHILD MOTION DEVICE.” A true and correct copy of the ‘426 Patent is attached hereto as Exhibit B. Graco owns all right, title, and interest to the ‘426 Patent, including the right to sue for infringement thereof. 19. On October 4, 2011, after a full and fair examination, the United
States Patent and Trademark Office issued United States Patent No. 8,029,377 (“the ‘377 Patent”), entitled “CHILD MOTION DEVICE.” A true and correct copy of the ‘377 Patent is attached hereto as Exhibit C. Graco owns all right, title, and interest to the ‘377 Patent, including the right to sue for infringement thereof. 20. On May 29, 2012, after a full and fair examination, the United States
Patent and Trademark Office issued United States Patent No. 8,187,111 (“the ‘111 Patent”), entitled “CHILD MOTION DEVICE.” A true and correct copy of the ‘111 Patent is attached hereto as Exhibit D. Graco owns all right, title, and interest to the ‘111 Patent, including the right to sue for infringement thereof.
Kids II’s Infringing Acts 21. On information and belief, Kids II provides children’s products under
the designation “InGenuity.” 22. On information and belief, certain persons who were members of the
Graco research and development staff have been hired by Kids II for the purpose of developing children’s products to be offered by Kids II. On further information and belief, such former Graco research and development staff members have knowledge of Graco’s infant soothing swing technology or the Graco Patents or both. 23. Kids II has recently begun to offer for sale the InGenuity child sway
product, including at retail establishments such as Target. Exhibit E is a true and correct copy of a page from the Target website showing the InGenuity child sway product. Kids II advertises the InGenuity child sway product on its website as providing a “gentle side-to-side motion” and a “unique sway [that] is at the heart of this deluxe swing . . .”. Exhibit F is a true and correct copy of a page from the Kids II website showing the InGenuity child sway product. 24. The InGenuity child sway product infringes one or more claims of
each of United States Patent Nos. 7,563,170; 7,883,426; 8,029,377 and 8,187,111.
On information and belief, Kids II has been aware of Graco’s
technology and the Graco Patents for some time, since at least when Kids II hired certain former Graco research and development staff members. 26. On information and belief, Kids II has purposefully, actively and
voluntarily offered for sale and sold the InGenuity child sway product with the expectation that it would be purchased or used by consumers in Georgia and elsewhere. By such acts, Kids II has injured Graco and is thus liable to Graco for infringement of the Graco Patents pursuant to 35 U.S. C. § 271. COUNT I (Infringement of the ‘170 Patent) 27. The allegations contained in paragraphs 1-26 above are incorporated
by reference as if fully set forth herein. 28. The ‘170 Patent, entitled “CHILD MOTION DEVICE,” was duly and
properly issued to Graco by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on July 21, 2009. 29. Kids II has actively and knowingly infringed and is infringing the
‘170 Patent with knowledge of Graco’s patent rights and without reasonable basis for believing that Kids II’s conduct is lawful, by engaging in acts including making, using, selling, or offering to sell within the United States, or importing
into the United States a product that embodies the patented invention described and claimed in the ‘170 Patent, including the InGenuity child sway product. 30. Furthermore, on information and belief, Kids II has also induced
infringement and/or contributed to infringement of the ‘170 Patent by users of the InGenuity child sway product. 31. Kids II’s acts have been without express or implied license from
Graco, and are willful and in reckless disregard of Graco’s patent rights. On information and belief, Kids II will continue to infringe the ‘170 Patent unless enjoined by this Court. 32. As a result of Kids II’s infringement, Graco has suffered, and will
continue to suffer, irreparable harm for which there is no adequate remedy at law. Graco is entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against such infringement under 35 U.S.C. § 283. 33. As a result of Kids II’s infringement, Graco has been damaged, will
further be damaged, and is entitled to compensation for such damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284. COUNT II (Infringement of the ‘426 Patent) 34. The allegations contained in paragraphs 1-33 above are incorporated
by reference as if fully set forth herein. 8
The ‘426 Patent, entitled “CHILD MOTION DEVICE,” was duly and
properly issued to Graco by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on February 8, 2011. 36. Kids II has actively and knowingly infringed and is infringing the
‘426 Patent with knowledge of Graco’s patent rights and without reasonable basis for believing that Kids II’s conduct is lawful, by engaging in acts including making, using, selling, or offering to sell within the United States, or importing into the United States a product that embodies the patented invention described and claimed in the ‘426 Patent, including the InGenuity child sway product. 37. Furthermore, on information and belief, Kids II has also induced
infringement and/or contributed to infringement of the ‘426 Patent by users of the InGenuity child sway product. 38. Kids II’s acts have been without express or implied license from
Graco, and are willful and in reckless disregard of Graco’s patent rights. On information and belief, Kids II will continue to infringe the ‘426 Patent unless enjoined by this Court. 39. As a result of Kids II’s infringement, Graco has suffered, and will
continue to suffer, irreparable harm for which there is no adequate remedy at law.
Graco is entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against such infringement under 35 U.S.C. § 283. 40. As a result of Kids II’s infringement, Graco has been damaged, will
further be damaged, and is entitled to compensation for such damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284. COUNT III (Infringement of the ‘377 Patent) 41. The allegations contained in paragraphs 1-40 above are incorporated
by reference as if fully set forth herein. 42. The ‘377 Patent, entitled “CHILD MOTION DEVICE,” was duly and
properly issued to Graco by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on October 4, 2011. 43. Kids II has actively and knowingly infringed and is infringing the
‘377 Patent with knowledge of Graco’s patent rights and without reasonable basis for believing that Kids II’s conduct is lawful, by engaging in acts including making, using, selling, or offering to sell within the United States, or importing into the United States a product that embodies the patented invention described and claimed in the ‘377 Patent, including the InGenuity child sway product.
Furthermore, on information and belief, Kids II has also induced
infringement and/or contributed to infringement of the ‘377 Patent by users of the InGenuity child sway product. 45. Kids II’s acts have been without express or implied license from
Graco, and are willful and in reckless disregard of Graco’s patent rights. On information and belief, Kids II will continue to infringe the ‘377 Patent unless enjoined by this Court. 46. As a result of Kids II’s infringement, Graco has suffered, and will
continue to suffer, irreparable harm for which there is no adequate remedy at law. Graco is entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against such infringement under 35 U.S.C. § 283. 47. As a result of Kids II’s infringement, Graco has been damaged, will
further be damaged, and is entitled to compensation for such damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284. COUNT IV (Infringement of the ‘111 Patent) 48. The allegations contained in paragraphs 1-47 above are incorporated
The ‘111 Patent, entitled “CHILD MOTION DEVICE,” was duly and
properly issued to Graco by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on May 29, 2012. 50. Kids II has actively and knowingly infringed and is infringing the
‘111 Patent with knowledge of Graco’s patent rights and without reasonable basis for believing that Kids II’s conduct is lawful, by engaging in acts including making, using, selling, or offering to sell within the United States, or importing into the United States a product that embodies the patented invention described and claimed in the ‘111 Patent, including the InGenuity child sway product. 51. Furthermore, on information and belief, Kids II has also induced
infringement and/or contributed to infringement of the ‘111 Patent by users of the InGenuity child sway product. 52. Kids II’s acts have been without express or implied license from
Graco, and are willful and in reckless disregard of Graco’s patent rights. On information and belief, Kids II will continue to infringe the ‘111 Patent unless enjoined by this Court. 53. As a result of Kids II’s infringement, Graco has suffered, and will
Graco is entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against such infringement under 35 U.S.C. § 283. 54. As a result of Kids II’s infringement, Graco has been damaged, will
further be damaged, and is entitled to compensation for such damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284. COUNT V (Willful Infringement) 55. The allegations contained in paragraphs 1-54 above are incorporated
by reference as if fully set forth herein. 56. In view of its hiring of former Graco research and development staff
members, Kids II has knowledge of the Graco infant soothing swing technology or the Graco Patents or both. 57. On information and belief, Kids II’s past and continuing infringement
of the Graco Patents has been made with knowledge of the Graco Patents, and has been deliberate and willful. 58. Kid II’s conduct warrants an award of enhanced damages, pursuant to
35 U.S.C. § 284, and renders this an exceptional case justifying an award of attorneys’ fees to Graco, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 285.
REQUEST FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, Graco respectfully prays for judgment as follows: A. Entry of judgment holding Kids II liable for infringement of each of
the Graco Patents, specifically: 1. that Kids II has infringed the ‘170 Patent; 2. that Kids II has infringed the ‘426 Patent; 3. that Kids II has infringed the ‘377 Patent; 4. that Kids II has infringed the ‘111 Patent; B. An order preliminarily and permanently enjoining Kids II, its officers,
agents, servants, employees, attorneys, all those in active concert or participation with it, and all other parties properly enjoined by law, from continued acts of infringement of the Graco Patents; C. Award Graco damages adequate to compensate for all such
unauthorized acts of infringement pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 284, and treble the damages award by reason of the willful and deliberate nature of Kids II’s acts of infringement also pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 284; D. Declare this case as exceptional within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. §
285, and award Graco its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses as incurred in the prosecution of this action; and
Award such other and further relief as the Court deems just and
JURY DEMAND Graco demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable.
Respectfully submitted, this 17th day of September 2012. McKEON, MEUNIER, CARLIN & CURFMAN LLC
/s/ Stephen M. Schaetzel Georgia State Bar No. 628653 Gregory J. Carlin Georgia State Bar No. 455865 Walter Hill Levie, III Georgia State Bar No. 415569 Anthony B. Askew Georgia State Bar No. 025300 Attorneys for Graco Children’s Products Inc. 817 W. Peachtree Street Suite 500 Atlanta, GA 30308 Telephone: (404) 645-7700 Facsimile: (404) 645-7707
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