Court Opinion

ID: 2661500
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-04-03 11:00:30.359339+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:17:37.445351
License: Public Domain

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
                           FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

    IN RE PAPST LICENSING GMBH & CO. KG
    LITIGATION
                                                            Misc. Action No. 07-493 (RMC)1

                                                            MDL Docket No. 1880
    This Document Relates To:

    Papst Licensing GmbH & Co. KG v. Samsung
    Techwin Co., Civ. No. 07-2088 (D.D.C.)

     OPINION REGARDING SAMSUNG’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OF
         NONINFRINGEMENT AS TO WRONGFULLY ACCUSED PRODUCTS

               Papst Licensing GmbH & Co. KG brought suit against Samsung Techwin Co.,

Ltd., and Samsung Opto-Electronics America, Inc., for alleged infringement of Patent Nos.

6,470,399 and 6,895,449. Defendants seek summary judgment of noninfringement on forty-

seven accused products that Defendants assert they never made, used, sold, offered, or imported

in/into the United States.2 The eight-page motion has occasioned a blizzard of paper but none

that effectively challenges Defendants’ sworn affidavits. In an effort to avoid summary

judgment, Papst claims indirect infringement by inducement but that claim was not sufficiently

1
 This Multi District Litigation currently consists of First and Second Wave Cases currently
pending in this District. The “First Wave Cases” are: Fujifilm Corp. v. Papst, 07-cv-1118;
Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Papst, 07-cv-1222; Papst v. Olympus Corp., 07-cv-2086;
Papst v. Samsung Techwin Co., 07-cv-2088; Hewlett Packard Co. v. Papst, 08-cv-865; and Papst
v. Nikon Corp., 08-cv-985. The “Second Wave Cases” are: Papst v. Canon, 08-cv-1406; Papst
v. Eastman Kodak, 08-cv-1407; Papst v. Sanyo, 09-cv-530.
2
  This motion is just one piece of a much larger Multi District Litigation by which Papst claims
that numerous manufacturers of digital cameras in the United States violate its Patents.
preserved in its final infringement contentions and will not be heard now. Papst also argues that

it needs discovery, but nothing on which it seeks discovery would refute the highly confidential

sales records that Defendants already have shared with Papst. Summary judgment of

noninfringement as to the forty-seven products will be granted to Defendants.

                                             I. FACTS

               This suit has a long procedural history. In June 2007, Papst brought suit against

Korea-based Samsung Techwin Company (Techwin) and its U.S. subsidiary, Samsung Opto-

Electronics America, Inc. (Opto-Electronics) (collectively, Defendants).3 Papst complained that

Defendants infringed U.S. Patent Nos. 6,470,399 and 6,895,449 (the Patents) by “making, using,

offering to sell or selling within the United States and/or importing into the United States . . .

digital cameras” covered by the Patents. See Papst Licensing GmbH & Co. KG v. Samsung

Techwin Co. (Papst v. Techwin), Civ. No. 07-2088 (D.D.C.), Compl. [Dkt. 3-1] ¶¶ 9, 17. Papst

also alleged that Defendants “actively induced others and/or contributed to the infringement” of

the Patents. Id. ¶¶ 10, 18.

               The Multi District Litigation Panel transferred the case into this Multi District

Litigation (MDL). See id., MDL Transfer Order [Dkt. 1]. In September 2008, the Court held a

three-day Markman hearing.4 Thereafter, the Court rendered its claims construction opinion and

order. See Modified Claims Construction Op. [Dkt. 336]; Modified Order [Dkt. 337] (replacing

3
 Papst originally filed suit in federal district court in California. See Papst Licensing GmbH &
Co. KG v. Samsung Techwin Co., No. 07-4249 (C.D. Calif.). The Central District of California
court then transferred the case to the District of New Jersey. See Papst Licensing GmbH & Co.
KG v. Samsung Techwin Co., 07-4940 (D.N.J.).
4
  Pursuant to Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc., 517 U.S. 370 (1996), the Court is required
to construe the contested claims of the patents before a jury can determine whether the accused
products infringe. Thus a claims construction hearing is often called a Markman hearing.

                                                 -2-
original claims construction Op. [Dkt. 312] and Order [Dkt. 313]).

                 In February 2009, after the claims construction hearing but before the claims

construction ruling, Techwin transferred its digital camera business to Samsung Digital Imaging

Company, which in turn merged its digital camera business into Korea-based Samsung

Electronics Company Ltd. on April 1, 2010.5 Before Techwin’s transfer to Samsung Digital

Imaging Company, co-Defendant Opto-Electronics purchased digital cameras made by Techwin

and Opto-Electronics sold these cameras in the United States. See Mot. for Summ. J. Regarding

Wrongfully Accused Products [Dkt. 448], Ex. 2 (First Lee Decl.) ¶ 2; Resp. to Surreply [Dkt.

495], Ex. 8 (Second Lee Decl.) ¶ 2.

                 A year and a half after Techwin spun-off its digital camera business, in October

2010, Papst moved for leave to file a first amended complaint, seeking to add as defendants in

Papst v. Techwin, the following: Samsung Electronics Company Ltd. and its U.S. subsidiaries,

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC. (all three

collectively, Samsung Electronics Entities). The Court denied the motion to amend because it

was untimely and because it would complicate and delay the litigation against Defendants.6 See

Op. [Dkt. 424]; Order [Dkt. 425].

                 Thereafter, the Court ordered Papst to file final asserted infringement claims and

contentions (Final Contentions) in compliance with detailed requirements. See Mot. for

Sanctions [Dkt. 388], Ex. A (Tr. of Aug. 31, 2010 Hearing); Sixth Prac. & Pro. Order (Sixth

PPO) [Dkt. 372]. In January 2011, Papst filed Final Contentions, but because Papst failed to

5
    After the merger, Samsung Digital Imaging Company ceased to exist as a separate entity.
6
 While Papst has not filed a separate suit against the Samsung Electronics Entities in this
district, the record does not indicate whether Papst has filed suit against them in another forum.

                                                 -3-
follow the direct orders of the Court, the Court ordered sanctions. See Final Contentions [Dkt.

416]; Sanctions Op. [Dkt. 429]; Sanctions Order [Dkt. 430]. In the Sanctions Order, the Court

barred Papst “from advancing any arguments for infringement . . . that are not set forth

specifically and explicitly” in the Final Contentions. See Sanctions Order [Dkt. 430] at 2. In its

Final Contentions, Papst also attempted to advance claims against the Samsung Electronics

Entities that are not part of this MDL. In the Sanctions Order, the Court struck all contentions

that assert claims against the Samsung Electronics Entities. Id.

                                    II. LEGAL STANDARD

               Under Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, summary judgment shall

be granted “if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the

movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); accord Anderson v.

Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 247 (1986). Moreover, summary judgment is properly granted

against a party who “after adequate time for discovery and upon motion . . . fails to make a

showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party’s case, and on

which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial.” Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317,

322 (1986).

               In ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the court must draw all justifiable

inferences in the nonmoving party’s favor. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 255. A nonmoving party,

however, must establish more than “the mere existence of a scintilla of evidence” in support of

its position. Id. at 252. The nonmoving party must point out specific facts showing that there is a

genuine issue for trial. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 324. In addition, the nonmoving party may not rely

solely on allegations or conclusory statements. Greene v. Dalton, 164 F.3d 671, 675 (D.C. Cir.

1999). Rather, the nonmoving party must present specific facts that would enable a reasonable

                                                -4-
jury to find in its favor. Id. at 675. If the evidence “is merely colorable, or is not significantly

probative, summary judgment may be granted.” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249-50 (citations

omitted).

               Papst seeks additional discovery under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(d),

which provides:

               If a nonmovant shows by affidavit or declaration that, for specified
               reasons, it cannot present facts essential to justify its opposition,
               the court may:

               (1) defer considering the motion or deny it;

               (2) allow time to obtain affidavits or declarations or to take
               discovery; or

               (3) issue any other appropriate order.

Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(d). “The nonmoving party bears the burden of identifying the facts to be

discovered that would create a triable issue and the reasons why the party cannot produce those

facts in opposition to the motion. The nonmoving party must show a reasonable basis to suggest

that discovery would reveal triable issues of fact.” Scott-Blanton v. Universal City Studios

Prods. LLP, 246 F.R.D. 344, 347 (D.D.C. 2007), aff’d 308 Fed. App’x 452 (D.C. Cir. 2009). A

generalized, speculative request for more discovery is insufficient; a request for more discovery

must show that “further specific discovery will defeat a summary judgment motion.” Estate of

Parsons v. Palestinian Auth., 715 F. Supp. 2d 27, 35 (D.D.C. 2010), aff’d, No. 10-7085, 2011

WL 3528749 (D.C. Cir. Aug. 12, 2011).

                                          III. ANALYSIS

               In its Final Contentions, Papst accused Defendants and the Samsung Electronics

Entities of infringement, pointing to over 350 “Samsung” products. Since the Samsung

                                                  -5-
Electronics Entities are not parties in this MDL, especially after this Court barred their untimely

addition, Defendants asked Papst to withdraw its contentions regarding certain alleged

“Samsung” products that the Samsung Electronics Entities may have made, used, sold, offered

for sale, or imported (“made/sold”) in/into the United States, but that were not made/sold in the

United States by Defendants. Papst partially complied but continues to accuse forty-seven

products that Defendants assert are wrongfully accused.7

               Forty of the products at issue8 were made/sold in the United States by a Samsung

Entity but not by these Defendants (Non-Techwin Products):

    AQ 100           HZ50W               SL30                SL620               TL210
    CL 65            i80                 SL35                SL630               TL229
    CL80             NX10                SL40                SL720               TL225
    HZ10W            PL200               SL420               SL820               TL240
    HZ15W            PL90                SL50                TL100               TL320
    HZ25W            SL102               SL502               TL105               TL350
    HZ30W            SL105               SLK600              TL110               TL500
    HZ35W            SL202               SL605               TL205               TL90

Seven of the products at issue9 were not made/sold in the United States (Non-U.S. Products):

7
 Defendants advise that their products covered by the summary judgment motions filed jointly
with the First Wave Camera Manufacturers (e.g., Mots. for Summ. J. [Dkts. 447, 449, 450, 451,
452,) are limited to Techwin/Opto-Electronics products and do not include the forty-seven
products at issue here. Mot. for Summ. J. Regarding Wrongfully Accused Products at 2 n.2.
8
 Papst accused these forty products of infringement in the Final Contentions. See Final
Contentions (Part III) at 82-84, 89-91, 111-17, 133-37, 158-63, 170-72, 187-94, 205-06, 214-17.
9
 Papst also accused these seven products of infringement in the Final Contentions. See Final
Contentions (Part III) at 82-84, 89-91, 111-117, 133-37. 158-163, 170-72, 187-94, 205-06, 214-
17.

                                                 -6-
 Digimax A4
 DigimaxA40
 DigimaxA403
 DigimaxD85
 L83T
 S1030
 S830

The Non-Techwin Products together with Non-U.S. Products are collectively referred to as the

“Forty-Seven Accused Products.”

              Sang-Yoon Lee, a Techwin Senior Manager during the relevant time period,

described the relationship between Techwin and Opto-Electronics. Mr. Lee made four critical

points:

              (1) Techwin is a South Korean publicly traded company which
              spun off its digital camera business into a new, separate publicly
              traded company, Samsung Digital Imaging Company, on February
              1, 2009. First Lee Decl.¶ 1.

              (2) Opto-Electronics is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Techwin
              located in the United States. Prior to the spin-off, Opto-Electronics
              sold in the United States digital cameras that were made by
              Techwin. Id. ¶ 2; Second Lee Decl. ¶ 2.

              (3) In his First Declaration, Mr. Lee referred to Techwin and Opto-
              Electronics collectively as “STW.” First Lee Decl. ¶ 2.

              (4) The forty Non-Techwin Products and the seven Non-U.S.
              Products were never made/sold by “STW,” i.e., were not ever
              made/sold by either Techwin or Opto-Electronics. Id. ¶¶ 6–17;
              Second Lee Decl. ¶¶ 6–7.

              Papst opposes summary judgment. First, Papst argues that it has a valid claim of

                                               -7-
infringement by inducement against Defendants with regard to the Forty-Seven Accused

Products. See Samsung Techwin, Civ. No. 07-2088, Compl. ¶¶ 10-18. Second, Papst contends

there is sufficient circumstantial evidence that the Forty-Seven Accused Products were made/sold

here by Defendants, that such evidence is sufficient to create a genuine issue of material fact, and

that Papst is entitled to more discovery to prove it.10

                A. Infringement by Inducement

                In order to induce infringement, there must be an act of direct infringement and

proof that a defendant “knowingly induced infringement with the intent to encourage the

infringement.” DSU Med. Corp. v. JMS Co. Ltd., 471 F.3d 1293, 1304 (Fed. Cir. 2006). “A

person induces infringement under [35 U.S.C.] § 271(b) by actively and knowingly aiding and

abetting another’s direct infringement.” C.R. Bard, Inc. v. Advanced Cardiovascular Sys. Inc.,

911 F.2d 670, 675 (Fed. Cir. 1990). Although Papst contends that Defendants induced the

Samsung Electronics Entities to infringe the Patents, Papst has not preserved this claim in light

of the Sanctions Order. The Sanctions Order arose from a Court mandate that Papst revise its

original infringement contentions, as Papst had filed them before the Markman decision. The

Court and the parties discussed the need for final contentions from Papst at a discovery status

conference in August 2010. The Court chastised Papst for failing to propose focused discovery

and ordered Papst to define its asserted claims and infringement contentions in light of the claims

construction:

10
  In response to motions for summary judgment filed by Defendants and by the other Camera
Manufacturers, Papst filed motions for Rule 56(d) discovery. See Mot. for Discovery [Dkt. 479]
(addressing Techwin and Opto-Electronics specifically at 33-36); Opp. [Dkt. 472] (Papst seeks
discovery in opposition to the Motion for Summary Judgment Regarding Wrongfully Accused
Products).

                                                  -8-
                I said focused discovery and what I got was a shotgun shell. I
                mean, everything. I do not consider that focused and I don’t think
                that it fulfills my obligation to get this done quickly and with the
                least expense possible under the circumstances. So what I think
                we need to start with is the concept that Papst filed infringement
                contentions . . . and hasn’t changed them, hasn’t indicated it wants
                to change them, hasn’t indicated it plans or needs to change them
                but now says [it] need[s] a ton of discovery. I’m not sure that all of
                your contentions can stand in light of the claims construction
                decision which I appreciate you don’t like, it’s okay. But nobody
                knows what they’re fighting about now. Nobody can tell and you
                don’t want to tell them, and we’re not going to do it that way. I
                mean, you’re the plaintiff. You have allegations, you need to say
                what they are. So the first thing is I’m going to direct Papst to
                refile its claims contentions, its infringement contentions. . . . File
                that, then we’ll know what we’re arguing about. Only then can we
                figure out what discovery is really needed.

Tr. of Aug. 31, 2010 Hearing at 18-19. The Court further directed, “you have got to bring your

infringement contentions up to date. People have to know what they’re litigating about. And

only when you do can you then say okay, this is the discovery we need for these reasons.” Id. at

32. The Court told Papst that its asserted claims and infringement contentions needed to be clear

cut:

                First you have to decide what your infringement contentions are.
                Only when you know what, what camera you’re asserting
                [infringes] what claim and for what reason[,] can you possibly
                figure out what discovery you might need that you don’t already
                have.

Id. at 33-34.

                As a result of the status conference, the Court issued its Sixth Practice and

Procedure Order (PPO) requiring Papst to file final contentions with specificity as to each alleged

infringer, each alleged infringing product, and each Patent Claim allegedly infringed. The Sixth

PPO provided:

                2. No later than October 13, 2010, Papst shall file its Final

                                                  -9-
              Disclosure of Asserted Claims and Infringement Contentions.
              Separately for each opposing party, this Final Disclosure shall
              contain the following information:

              a. Each claim of each patent in suit that is allegedly infringed by each
              opposing party, including for each claim the applicable statutory
              subsections of 35 U.S.C. § 271 asserted;

              b. Separately for each asserted claim, each accused apparatus,
              product, device, process, method, act or other instrumentality
              (“Accused Instrumentality”) of each opposing party of which Papst
              is aware. This identification shall be as specific as possible. Each
              product, device, and apparatus shall be identified by name or
              model number, if known. Each method or process shall be
              identified by name, if known or by any product, device or
              apparatus which, when used, allegedly results in the practice of the
              claimed method or process;

              c. A chart identifying specifically where each limitation of each
              asserted claim is found within each Accused Instrumentality,
              including for each limitation that such party contends is governed
              by 35 U.S.C. § 112(6), the identity of the structure(s), act(s), or
              material(s) in the Accused Instrumentality that performs the
              claimed function.

              d. For each claim which is alleged to have been indirectly
              infringed, an identification of any direct infringement and a
              description of the acts of the alleged indirect infringer that
              contribute to or are inducing that direct infringement. Insofar as
              alleged direct infringement is based on joint acts of multiple
              parties, the role of each such party in the direct infringement must
              be described.

              e. Whether each limitation of each asserted claim is alleged to be
              literally present or present under the doctrine of equivalents in the
              Accused Instrumentality; and

              f. For any patent that claims priority to an earlier application, the
              priority date to which each asserted claim allegedly is entitled.

Sixth PPO ¶ 2 (adopting provisions of Rule 3-1 (N.D. Cal. Patent Local Rules)) (emphasis added

regarding infringement by inducement).

                                               -10-
                The Sixth PPO adopted the requirements set forth in Northern District of

California Patent Rule 3-1 because that Rule was designed to “make the parties more efficient, to

streamline the litigation process, and to articulate with specificity the claims and theory of a

plaintiff’s infringement claims.” Bender v. Micrel, Inc., Civ. No. 09-1144, 2010 WL 520513, at

*2 (N.D. Cal. Feb. 6, 2010). Rule 3-1 was intended to prevent cases from “stagger[ing] for

months without clear direction” by “focusing discovery on building precise final infringement or

invalidity contentions and narrowing issues for Markman, summary judgment trial, and beyond.”

Connectel, LLC v. Cisco Sys., Inc., 391 F. Supp. 2d 526, 527 (E.D. Tex. 2005). Via the language

of Rule 3-1, the Court required Papst to “crystallize its theory of the case and patent claims.”11

See InterTrust Tech. Corp. v. Microsoft Corp., Civ. No. 01-1640, 2003 WL 23120174, at *3

(N.D. Cal. Dec. 1, 2003) (characterizing Rule 3-1). In sum, the Court ordered Papst to file

contentions that comported with the Court’s claims constructions and that were sufficiently

precise and detailed for the purpose of streamlining this already protracted litigation.

                Papst filed Final Contentions, but they were vague and uninformative. Through

its experienced patent lawyers, Papst blatantly disregarded the Sixth PPO. The Court took Papst

to task for obfuscating its infringement theories, finding that Papst had done so intentionally as

part of its strategy to extend this litigation excessively, since Papst’s business is litigation:

                Instead of crystallizing its asserted claims and infringement
                contentions in this case, Papst’s Final Contentions intentionally
                obfuscate Papst’s infringement theories. As this Court has
                previously noted, Papst is in the business of litigation.

11
  A plaintiff in the Northern District of California is expected to articulate its infringement
contentions no later than 14 days after the initial case management conference, a much earlier
stage than was required in this MDL. N.D. Cal. Patent Rule 3-1. Papst was required to
crystallize its theory only after claims construction.

                                                  -11-
                        Papst is a German company that produces no
                        products; it acquires patents on products or methods
                        allegedly invented by others and then searches the
                        world for patents it might challenge for
                        infringement. At one of the first status conferences
                        of the MDL, when the Court queried whether this
                        was old-fashioned “claim-jumping,” counsel for
                        Papst readily agreed that it had been called worse.
                        Of course, this is a perfectly lawful and respectable
                        business. But it underscores that the business of
                        Papst is litigation, not invention or production.
                        Litigation is the business model whereby Papst,
                        when successful, achieves royalty payments from
                        others. As is clear from this record, the threat of
                        litigation alone often achieves royalty payments.

               Mem. Op. [Dkt. 86]. While the threat of litigation alone often
               achieves royalty payments, the threat of never-ending discovery
               can induce even larger royalty payments. Frankly, this appears to
               be Papst’s strategy in this case. The Final Contentions are
               purposefully vague; they were drafted to further Papst’s intention
               to engage in protracted and expensive litigation.

Sanctions Op. at 7-8.

               In addition to concealing its infringement theories, Papst purposely disregarded

the Modified Claims Construction Opinion and Order. The Sanctions Opinion explained:

               [T]he Final Contentions additionally lack the requisite specificity
               because they repeatedly reiterate Papst’s version of previously
               rejected claims constructions and then advance theories based on
               such rejected constructions. See, e.g., Final Contentions at 33
               (asserting that “second connecting device” means a device for
               interfacing and not “a physical plug or socket for permitting a user
               readily to attach and detach . . .” as construed by the Court). In this
               same vein, Papst also attempts to incorporate and reassert its
               original contentions filed May 28, 2008, before claims
               construction. Id. at 2. Such an approach bespeaks a total lack of
               respect for Court orders and the timely resolution of this case, but
               it is consistent with Papst’s approach from the beginning.12

12
  See, e.g., Mem. Op. [Dkt. 82] (sanctioning Papst for failure to comply with a direct discovery
order), modified in part by Mem. Op. [Dkt. 123]. Notably, Papst filed a petition for writ of

                                                -12-
Id. at 10. Papst’s failure to properly detail its infringement claims was not an innocent error; it

was part of a calculated strategy.

               For this astounding and brash failure to follow court orders, the Court imposed a

reasonable sanction against Papst—requiring Papst “to live with its Final Contentions as they

stand without further modification.” Sanctions Op. at 7. Thus, the Court barred Papst from

modifying the Final Contentions and barred Papst from advancing any arguments for

infringement (or against claims of noninfringement) that either (1) are not based solely on this

Court’s constructions of the Patents or (2) are not already set forth specifically and explicitly in

the Final Contentions. See Sanctions Order at 2.

               In this context, the Court considers Papst’s induced-infringement contentions

against Defendants to ascertain whether they are specific and explicit enough to survive the

Court’s sanction. They are not. Papst’s Final Contentions assert induced-infringement by merely

making this conclusory statement:

               Papst further asserts that each of these Defendants also is liable
               under 35 U.S.C. § 271(b) for actively inducing users of the accused
               products to directly infringe the asserted claims in the U.S., and
               thus is liable for infringement by inducement. Papst also asserts
               that each of these Defendants also [is] liable under 35 U.S.C.
               § 271(b) for actively inducing their own affiliates and/or related
               entities and/or third-parties to sell infringing products in the U.S.,
               and thus [is] liable for inducement by infringement.

Final Contentions at 3. These allegations fail to meet the level of specificity demanded by the

Sixth PPO, especially paragraph 2(d), which required Papst to set forth “[f]or each claim which is

alleged to have been indirectly infringed, an identification of any direct infringement and a

mandamus, see Dkt. 167, and the Federal Circuit denied the petition. In re Papst Licensing
GmbH & Co. KG, Misc. No. 877, 314 Fed. App’x 295, 2008 WL 5691048 (Fed. Cir. Aug. 5,
2008).

                                                 -13-
description of the acts of the alleged indirect infringer that contribute to or are inducing that

direct infringement. Insofar as alleged direct infringement is based on joint acts of multiple

parties, the role of each such party in the direct infringement must be described.” Papst’s vague

and conclusory contentions regarding infringement by inducement in no way satisfy the level of

specificity that the Court required, and thus Papst has waived the claim against Defendants for

infringement by inducement.

               B. Alleged Genuine Issue of Fact and Motion for Rule 56(d) Discovery

               Papst argues that it should be allowed “some discovery . . . to track down the

actual facts because . . . the . . . story keeps changing with respect to these 47 models of Samsung

products.” See Mot. for Discovery at 34. Papst also attacks the declaration of Mr. Lee because,

in part, Mr. Lee stated the “legal conclusion” that Defendants never made/sold the Forty-Seven

Accused Products in the United States, and Papst wants to review every Techwin and every

Opto-Electronics document that Mr. Lee reviewed before he submitted his declarations. See

Reply [Dkt. 491] at 1–2. In order to sort out the “changing story” and determine if Mr. Lee’s

First and Second Declarations are credible, Papst requests (1) a Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of a

corporate representative of both Defendants concerning the manufacture and sale of the Forty-

Seven Accused Products; (2) the identity of the Samsung department and company that authored

User Manuals for these products; (3) the identity of the Samsung department and company that

authored and maintains the Samsung websites which offer drivers and other support over the

Internet for these products; (4) the knowledge of Defendants as to where and to whom these

products would be sold; and (5) the facts underlying Defendants’ alleged indirect induced

infringement. See Mot. for Discovery [Dkt. 479] at 34–36.

               The parties have met numerous times and counsel for Defendants tried to provide

                                                 -14-
convincing information that neither of Defendants has made/sold any of the Forty-Seven

Accused Products in the United States. Papst remains unconvinced. Papst does not contest that

Defendants have shared confidential proprietary information with Papst on importation and sales

in the United States and that such information does not include any sales of the Forty-Seven

Accused Products. Instead, Papst complains that Samsung has not produced any documents such

as sales receipts, invoices, correspondence, or emails that demonstrate how the Forty-Seven

Accused Products reached the United States or that demonstrate Defendants knew the products

would reach the United States. Mot. for Discovery [Dkt. 479] at 36.

               Papst’s demand that Defendants produce U.S. import and sales information from

corporate entities, which are not parties to this suit, cannot forestall summary judgment. Sales by

any other “Samsung” affiliate would not prove infringement of the Patents by these Defendants,

and Papst has waived its claim to infringement by inducement. Thus, the question devolves to

whether Papst has enough information to support a good faith belief that the immediate

Defendants—Techwin and Opto-Electronics—might have infringed the Patents through the

making/selling of any of the Forty-Seven Accused Products.

               First, Papst urges the Court to give Mr. Lee’s declarations no weight regarding

Defendants’ liability because they have not provided or identified the business records he

reviewed prior to making his declarations. Papst concludes that Defendants’ summary judgment

motion “should be denied because it is not supported by any competent evidence.” Papst

Surreply [Dkt. 493] at 6. The argument is unavailing. Mr. Lee’s declarations constitute

competent evidence of the matters of which he declares. Merely claiming that the First and

Second Lee Declarations are inaccurate or incorrect is not sufficient. “A party may not defeat a

properly supported motion for summary judgment merely by raising generalized questions as to

                                               -15-
the credibility of the movant’s affiants.” Robinson v. Cheney, 876 F.2d 152, 162 (D.C. Cir.

1989).13

               Papst also presents a vehement argument that Opto-Electronics is not entitled to

summary judgment because Mr. Lee’s declaration addresses only Techwin and does not even

assert that Opto-Electronics never made/sold the Forty-Seven Accused Products in the United

States. See Papst Surreply [Dkt. 493] at 1. The argument represents a complete

misrerepresentation of Mr. Lee’s first declaration. Mr. Lee made it clear that he referred to both

Techwin and Opto-Electronics collectively as “STW.” See First Lee Decl. ¶ 2. He also

explained that Opto-Electronics was a Techwin subsidiary which sold digital cameras made by

Techwin in the United States. Id. Thus, his references to “Techwin” included Opto-Electronics

and his review of Techwin records revealed which model cameras Techwin sold to Opto-

Electronics for further sale in the United States. The argument that Mr. Lee’s declarations failed

to address Opto-Electronics is totally meritless.

               Papst further argues extensively that Defendants have been inconsistent in their

position regarding the accused products and that this somehow shows that questions of material

fact remain open for discovery. Defendants respond that they supplemented their discovery over

the years that this case has been pending and that they have never changed their position on the

Forty-Seven Accused Products. To show the alleged inconsistency, Papst notes:

13
  Papst moved to strike the Second Lee Declaration, asserting erroneously that it was untimely,
lacked foundation, and contained hearsay. Mot. to Strike [Dkt. 497]. The Second Lee
Declaration is deemed timely as it bolstered Defendants’ original position and addressed new
matters Papst raised. Further, the Second Declaration was based on Mr. Lee’s personal
knowledge, including his familiarity with Defendants’ products and sales history, and his review
of business records including sales records. Second Lee Decl. ¶¶ 3, 8. The motion to strike will
be denied.

                                                -16-
               (1) Defendants’ second set of Answers to Interrogatories added 23
               camera models that were not mentioned in their first set. Surreply
               [Dkt. 493] at 3.

               (2) Defendants’ third set of Answers to Interrogatories added 7
               more cameras not in their first or second set of answers. Id. at 4.

               (3) Defendants told Papst that model i80 was not sold in the U.S.
               but then later asserted that it is not a Techwin model. Id.

               (4) Defendants told Papst that models i50 and i70 were not sold in
               the United States but now list them as still at issue. Id. at 4.

Of these camera models, only the i80 is among the Forty-Seven Accused Products immediately at

issue.

               The Court finds no relevant inconsistency. Papst sees “inconsistency” in

Defendants’ supplemental interrogatory answers which added camera models because, allegedly,

those models might have been mentioned earlier. Papst’s definition of inconsistency is highly

questionable. A matter is inconsistent with another when it is incompatible or contradictory.

There is no inconsistency here, but merely the addition of camera models without any

subtraction. Defendants can be deemed to have been “inconsistent” only with regard to one

camera model, the i80. While Defendants originally told Papst the i80 was not sold in the United

States, they now state that it may have been sold in the United States by others but it is not a

Techwin product and was not made/sold here by these Defendants. See Second Lee Decl. ¶ 5-6.

The difference is not material to the critical issue: the i80 should not be an accused product

because neither of these Defendants ever made/sold the i80 model in the United States.

               Furthermore, Papst contends that it should be permitted discovery because

circumstantial evidence shows that the Forty-Seven Accused Products were in fact made/sold in

the United States by these Defendants. The circumstantial evidence on which Papst relies

                                                -17-
includes the following facts: (1) user manuals for the forty Non-Techwin Products list Opto-

Electronic’s name and address; (2) user manuals for the seven Non-U.S. Products include a

declaration of compliance with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission requirements; and

(3) the www.samsung.com website offers individuals in the United States the ability to download

drivers and user manuals for the Forty-Seven Accused Products. Mr. Lee explained these

anomalies, noting that the department responsible for creating user manuals sometimes does not

know where the products will be sold. First Lee Decl. ¶ 19. The user manuals for the Non-U.S.

Products list multiple Samsung affiliates from around the world, regardless of where the products

are actually sold. Id. With regard to FCC compliance declaration, this only indicates that

Techwin designed cameras for compliance with the standards of multiple countries, including the

United States. It is not proof that any of the seven cameras was sold here. Further, the

international website offering drivers and manuals to individuals located in the United States

does not indicate that the products were made/sold here by these Defendants, only that it is

possible that some residents in the United States may have such cameras.

               To defeat Defendants’ motion for summary judgment and demonstrate a genuine

issue of fact, Papst must show more than a scintilla of evidence in support of its position. See

Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252. Papst has failed in this regard. If the evidence “is merely colorable,

or is not significantly probative, summary judgment may be granted.” Id. at 249-50 (citations

omitted). On its Rule 56(d) motion, Papst bears the burden of (1) identifying the specific facts to

be discovered that would create a triable issue and (2) showing a reasonable basis to suggest that

discovery would reveal triable issues of fact as to these Defendants. Scott-Blanton, 246 F.R.D. at

347; Estate of Parsons, 715 F. Supp. 2d at 35. The circumstantial evidence on which Papst relies

is not probative of whether these Defendants, contrary to their confidential business records and

                                               -18-
sworn statements, made/sold the Forty-Seven Accused Products in the United States. Papst has

not raised a genuine issue of material fact nor has it shown that more discovery would help it do

so.

                                       IV. CONCLUSION

                 As explained above, the motion for summary judgment regarding wrongfully

accused products filed by Samsung Techwin Co. and Samsung Opto-Electronics America, Inc.

[Dkt. 448] will be granted. Papst’s motion for Rule 56(d) discovery [Dkt. 479] will be denied in

part, insofar as it relates to the motion for summary judgment filed by Defendants.14 The Forty-

Seven Accused Products will be stricken from Papst’s Final Contentions [Dkt. 416]. Papst’s

motion to strike the Second Lee Declaration [Dkt. 497] will be denied. A memorializing Order

accompanies this Opinion.

Date: November 20, 2012                                     /s/
                                              ROSEMARY M. COLLYER
                                              United States District Judge

14
     Papst’s motion for discovery otherwise remains pending.

                                                -19-