Source: https://www.scribd.com/doc/84747744/United-Pet-Group-Inc-a-k-a-FURminator-v-MiracleCorp-Products
Timestamp: 2016-02-11 22:52:53
Document Index: 216969756

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1331', '§ 1391', '§ 271', '§ 271', '§ 285', '§ 271', '§ 271', '§ 285', '§ 284', '§ 285', '§ 285']

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COMPLAINT This is the complaint of FURminator, a division of United Pet Group, Inc. (“FURminator”), against Defendant MiracleCorp Products (“MiracleCorp”). JURISDICTION AND VENUE 1. This is an action for patent infringement in which FURminator seeks preliminary and
permanent injunctive relief as well as damages. 2. Jurisdiction is proper in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 (federal question)
and 1338 (patents, copyrights, trademarks and unfair competition related thereto). JURY TRIAL DEMANDED 3. FURminator hereby demands a jury on all triable issues. THE PARTIES 4. FURminator, now a division of United Pet Group, Inc., has its principal place of
business in St. Louis, Missouri. United Pet Group, Inc., is a Delaware Corporation with its principal place of business at 7794 Five Mile Road, Suite 190, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45230. 5. On information and belief, Defendant MiracleCorp is an Ohio Corporation with its
principal place of business at 2425 W. Dorothy Lane, Dayton, Ohio 45439.
On information and belief, MiracleCorp’s products are offered for sale and are being
sold in the Eastern District of Missouri. 7. On information and belief, venue is proper in this Court under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391 and
1400 because Defendant MiracleCorp is subject to personal jurisdiction here. Statement of Facts 8. FURminator, a division of United Pet Group, Inc., was formed in 2011 and is the
successor in interest to FURminator, Inc., a Missouri corporation formed by the husband and wife team of David and Angela Porter (“Porters”) in 2002. The FURminator division’s primary business is the promotion and sale of pet grooming tools and other pet products. 9. The Porters invented the FURminator DeShedding Tools, and, taking great personal
financial risk, pursued a dream to start a business and sell those products. It took several years for the Porters to develop and get their products to market. Angela Porter, owner of a pet grooming salon, and David Porter, a graphic design artist, worked together during that time to develop the concept, build prototypes, and find a manufacturer for their products. 10. On May 30, 2000, the Porters filed an application that eventually issued as U.S.
Patent No. 6,782,846 (the “’846 Patent”) on August 31, 2004. 11. The Porters filed several continuation applications from the ‘846 Patent application,
including, but not limited to, U.S. Patent No. 7,334,540 (the “’540 Patent”), a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 1, and U.S. Patent No. 7,509,926 (the “’926 Patent”), a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 2. The ’540 Patent and the ’926 Patent are each titled “Pet Grooming Tool and Method For Removing Loose Hair From A Furry Pet,” and are collectively referred to herein as the “Patents in Suit.”
FURminator is the owner of the Patents in Suit. The Patents in Suit are valid,
enforceable and were duly issued in full compliance with Title 35 of the United States Code. 13. FURminator produces several products that are covered by the Patents in Suit,
including, but not limited to, the FurGOpet and FURminator DeShedding Tools (collectively referred to herein as FURminator DeShedding Tools), examples of which are depicted below:
FURminator markets the FURminator DeShedding Tools to pet grooming
professionals, including pet groomers, veterinarians and animal rescue centers. FURminator also markets and has marketed these products to the general public through QVC (a televised shopping service), catalogs, the internet, retail outlets (such as PetSmart, Petco, and Target), professional pet groomers (who resell the FURminator line), printed advertisements, trade shows and television advertisements. 15. FURminator DeShedding Tools have enjoyed and continue to enjoy significant
commercial success as well as widespread approval in the pet industry. FURminator DeShedding Tools have received numerous accolades, including several “Editor’s Choice” awards by several pet product publications, numerous sales awards from major pet product retailers and was described as one of the best grooming products tested by the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. Since the beginning of the widespread sales of FURminator
DeShedding Tools in 2003, such tools have enjoyed substantial commercial success. Sales of FURminator DeShedding Tools account for the majority of revenues attributable to the FURminator division. 16. Patent infringement judgments have been obtained against several manufacturers of
products infringing one or more of FURminator’s Deshedding tool patents. Judgments have been obtained against Ontel Products Corp. in FURminator, Inc. v. Ontel Products Corp., E.D. Mo., Case No. 4:06-cv-1294-CAS (a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 3), against PetEdge Inc. in FURminator, Inc. v. PetEdge Inc., E.D. Tex., Case No. 2:08-cv-92-DF (a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 4), against Munchkin, Inc., in FURminator, Inc. v. Munchkin, Inc. and Kim Laube & Co., Inc., E.D. Mo., Case No. 4:08-cv-367-ERW (a copy which is attached as Exhibit 5), against Central Garden and Pet Co. in FURminator, Inc. v. Central Garden and Pet Co., and Four Paws Products Ltd., E.D. Mo., Case No. 4:10-cv-536-DDN (a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 6), against multiple defendants in FURminator, Inc. v. Sergeants Pet Care Products, Inc. et al., E.D. Mo., Case No. 4:10-cv-1829-RWS (copies of which are collectively attached hereto as Exhibit 7), against PetVac Group LLC in FURminator, Inc. v. PetVac Group LLC, E.D. Tx., Case No. 2:08-cv-338-TJW (a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 8) and against Kim Laube & Co., Inc. in FURminator, Inc. v. Munchkin, Inc. and Kim Laube & Co., Inc., E.D. Mo., Case No. 4:08-cv-367-ERW (a copy which is attached as Exhibit 9). Several of the judgments indicate that a reasonable royalty for any tool covered by one or more of the claims of U.S. Patent 7,334,540 is $10.00 per tool. 17. On information and belief, the commercial success of the FURminator DeShedding
Tools has caused competitors to imitate these products.
MiracleCorp’s Infringing Activities 18. On information and belief, MiracleCorp makes, uses, offers to sell, sells or imports
into the United States tools that infringe the Patents in Suit, including, but not limited to, the “Miracle De-Shedder” pet grooming tool, an example of which is depicted below:
MiracleCorp Miracle De-Shedder Tool 19. MiracleCorp’s Miracle De-Shedder pet grooming tools infringe one or more claims of
each of the ’540 and ’926 Patents. Count I Infringement of the ’540 Patent under 35 U.S.C. § 271 20. FURminator incorporates by reference, as if fully set forth herein, the preceding
paragraphs of this Complaint. 21. On information and belief, MiracleCorp has been and is infringing the ’540 Patent
under one or more subsections of 35 U.S.C. § 271. 22. MiracleCorp directly infringes the ’540 Patent by making, using, selling and/or
offering to sell infringing Miracle De-Shedder tools within the United States, and/or importing into the United States Miracle De-Shedder tools.
On information and belief, MiracleCorp sells and offers for sale infringing Miracle
De-Shedder tools within the United States and imports Miracle De-Shedder tools into the United States. 24. Others directly infringe the ’540 Patent by using, selling and/or offering to sell
infringing Miracle De-Shedder tools within the United States, and/or importing infringing Miracle De-Shedder tools into the United States. 25. Others directly infringe the ’540 Patent through the practice of the methods claimed
in the ‘540 Patent using Miracle De-Shedder tools. 26. 27. On information and belief, MiracleCorp knows of the ’540 Patent. On information and belief, MiracleCorp knows that others infringe the ’540 Patent by
using, selling and/or offering for sale infringing Miracle De-Shedder tools within the United States and intends to so induce others to infringe the ’540 Patent. 28. Miracle De-Shedder tools constitute components of a patented article, which may also
be used for the practice of a patented process. 29. Miracle De-Shedder tools constitute a material part of the invention and are especially
made or adapted for use in an infringement of the ’540 Patent. On information and belief, MiracleCorp is aware that Miracle De-Shedder tools constitute a material part of the invention, are especially made or adapted for use in an infringement of the ’540 Patent and that such a use would be patent infringement. 30. Such Miracle De-Shedder tools are not staple articles or suitable for a substantial non-
infringing use. 31. MiracleCorp’s conduct has damaged and will continue to damage FURminator.
On information and belief, MiracleCorp’s infringement of the ‘540 Patent is and has
been willful, making this case exceptional under 35 U.S.C. § 285. Count II Infringement of the ’926 Patent under 35 U.S.C. § 271 33. FURminator incorporates by reference, as if fully set forth herein, the preceding
paragraphs of this Complaint. 34. On information and belief, MiracleCorp has been and is infringing the ’926 Patent
under one or more subsections of 35 U.S.C. § 271. 35. MiracleCorp directly infringes the ’926 Patent by making, using, selling and/or
offering to sell infringing Miracle De-Shedder tools within the United States, and/or importing into the United States Miracle De-Shedder tools. 36. On information and belief, MiracleCorp sells and offers for sale infringing Miracle
De-Shedder tools within the United States and imports Miracle De-Shedder tools into the United States. 37. Others directly infringe the ’926 Patent by using, selling and/or offering to sell
infringing Miracle De-Shedder tools within the United States, and/or importing infringing Miracle De-Shedder tools into the United States. 38. Others directly infringe the ’926 Patent through the practice of the methods claimed
in the ’926 Patent using Miracle De-Shedder tools. 39. 40. On information and belief, MiracleCorp knows of the ’926 Patent. On information and belief, MiracleCorp knows that others infringe the ’926 Patent by
using, selling and/or offering for sale infringing Miracle De-Shedder tools within the United States and intends to so induce others to infringe the ’926 Patent.
Miracle De-Shedder tools constitute components of a patented article, which may also
be used for the practice of a patented process. 42. Miracle De-Shedder tools constitute a material part of the invention and are especially
made or adapted for use in an infringement of the ’926 Patent. On information and belief, MiracleCorp is aware that Miracle De-Shedder tools constitute a material part of the invention, are especially made or adapted for use in an infringement of the ’926 Patent and that such a use would be patent infringement. 43. Such Miracle De-Shedder tools are not staple articles or suitable for a substantial non-
infringing use. 44. 45. MiracleCorp’s conduct has damaged and will continue to damage FURminator. On information and belief, MiracleCorp’s infringement of the ’926 Patent is and has
been willful, making this case exceptional under 35 U.S.C. § 285. PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, FURminator, prays for judgment against Defendant MiracleCorp Products (“MiracleCorp”) as follows: A. Preliminarily and permanently enjoin MiracleCorp and any person acting in
concert with it from further infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,334,540 and 7,509,926; B. Declare that the claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,334,540 and 7,509,926 are valid,
enforceable, and infringed by MiracleCorp; C. Award FURminator damages resulting from MiracleCorp’s infringement of U.S.
Patent Nos. 7,334,540 and 7,509,926; D. E. Treble the damages in accordance with the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 284; Find the case to be exceptional under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 285;
Award FURminator reasonable attorney fees under 35 U.S.C. § 285; Order the impounding and destruction of all MiracleCorp’s products that infringe
U.S. Patent Nos. 7,334,540 and 7,509,926; H. I. Award FURminator interest and costs; Order an accounting of MiracleCorp’s profits resulting from sales of its products
which infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 7,334,540 and 7,509,926; J. MiracleCorp must report to this Court of its compliance with the foregoing within
thirty (30) days of judgment; and K. For such other and further relief that the Court deems just and proper.
Respectfully Submitted, Thompson Coburn LLP By:_/s/Steven E. Garlock Steven E. Garlock David B. Jinkins Jonathan G. Musch One US Bank Plaza St. Louis, MO 63101 (314) 552-6000 (314) 552-7000 (fax) Attorneys for the Plaintiff United Pet Group, Inc., also known as FURminator