ARCHER MOBILITY PRODUCTS, LLC COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY JUDGMENT FOR NON-INFRINGEMENT
Plaintiff Archer Mobility Products, LLC (Archer), through counsel, hereby brings its Complaint for Declaratory Judgment against Penco Medical, Inc. (Penco), and alleges as follows: NATURE OF ACTION 1. This is an action for a declaratory judgment of non-infringement of United States Patent No. D442,123 (the 123 Patent) under 28 U.S.C. 220l (Declaratory Judgment Act). Archer also seeks declaratory judgment that the '123 patent is invalid. PARTIES 2. Archer is a limited liability New Hampshire company with a principal place of business at 20 Circle Drive, PO Box 611, Holderness NH 03245. 3. Upon information and belief, Penco is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, with a principal place of business at One Ice Lake Drive, Mountaintop, PA 18707. Case 1:14-cv-00257 Document 1 Filed 06/10/14 Page 1 of 6 2
JURISDICTION AND VENUE 4. This is an action arising under the Patent Laws of the United States, 35 U.S.C. 101 and 171 et seq. and the Federal Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. 2201 and 2202. 5. Upon information and belief, this court has personal jurisdiction over Penco through Pencos purposeful minimum contacts with New Hampshire, by Pencos transacting of business in this State, through Pencos selling of its goods and services in connection with the alleged patent which is the subject of the 123 Patent, and through Pencos contact with Archer. 6. Venue is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 139l(b)-(c) because the events and communications between the parties that give rise to Archers claim for declaratory relief occurred in New Hampshire, and because upon information and belief, Penco is subject to the personal jurisdiction in this Court. 7. An actual case or controversy has arisen between the parties. Penco demanded that Archer cease and desist from any use and/or sale of Archers Universal Walker Ski Glides product, and has asked Archer for an accounting of damages in order to determine the damages owned to Penco. FACTS DEFENDANT'S THREAT OF LITIGATION 8. On June 3, 2014 Penco sent a threating letter to Archer which alleged that the sales, and offering for sale, of Archers' Universal Walker Ski Glides product constitutes patent infringement and asserted that it would bring a lawsuit against Archer Case 1:14-cv-00257 Document 1 Filed 06/10/14 Page 2 of 6 3 for said infringement if Archer does not immediately cease and desist their commercial activities involving their Universal Walker Ski Glides product. Exhibit A. 9. As a result of Penco's threat of litigation and the circumstances surrounding this threat, an actual, present, and justiciable controversy has arisen between Archer and Penco regarding Archer's sale of its Top Glide product. PLAINTIFF'S NON-INFRINGEMENT OF DEFENDANT'S ALLEGED PATENT
10. The '123 patent is limited in scope to the design set forth in the figures in the patent. 11. There are many differences between the visual appearance of Archer's Universal Walker Ski Glides and the design covered by the '123 patent, including differences in plug shape and ski shape, among others. 12. Archers Universal Walker Ski Glides contains a square plug. In contrast, Penco's '123 patent has a figure showing the plug as circular in shape. 13. As a further example, the 123 patent figures show the front section of the base of the glider to have straight lined edges. In contract, Archers Universal Walker Ski Glides products front section is curved. 14. As a further example, the 123 patent figures show a tab in the plug of the invention. In contract, Archers Universal Walker Ski Glides products does not contain any tabs in the plug. 15. Archer's product does not infringe on the '123 patent because an ordinary observer would not believe that the Archer product is the same or substantially similar to the design required by the '123 patent.
Case 1:14-cv-00257 Document 1 Filed 06/10/14 Page 3 of 6 4 INVALIDITY OF DEFENDANT'S ALLEGED PATENT 16. The '123 patent is invalid and unenforceable for failure to comply with one or more of the conditions for patentability set forth in the Patent Laws of the United States Code, Title 35 at least in Sections 102, 103, 112, and 171. 17. The '123 patent should be declared invalid due to the functional nature of Pencos product. 18. Pencos patent, including, but not limited to, the plug and the glider is directed to a set of functional features used to support and utilize the walker. 19. Penco cannot legally own or assert design patent rights to a functional design. COUNT 1: Declaration of Non-Infringement of Defendant's Alleged Patent 20. Archer repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint. 21. Penco has asserted that Archer' sale of its Universal Walker Ski Glides product infringes the '123 patent and has threatened to bring a lawsuit against Archer. An actual, present, and justiciable controversy has arisen between Penco and Archer concerning Archers use and sale of its Universal Walker Ski Glides. 22. Archer seeks declaratory judgment that its manufacture, use, offer for sale, and/or sale of the Universal Walker Ski Glides product does not infringe on Penco's alleged design patent, and does not otherwise violate any of Pencos patent rights under federal law including, but not limited to, 35 U.S.C. 101 and 171, et seq.
Case 1:14-cv-00257 Document 1 Filed 06/10/14 Page 4 of 6 5 COUNT 2: Declaration of Invalidity and Unenforceability of Defendant's Alleged Patent
23. Archer repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint. 24. The '123 patent for a walker glide with retractable keyed plug is functional and should therefore be invalidated. 25. Archer seeks declaratory judgment that the '123 patent is invalid and/or unenforceable, for at least these grounds, and for any and all other grounds of invalidity and unenforceability available under federal law, the Patent Act, including, but not limited to, 35 U.S.C. 102, 103, 112, and 171. 26. Archer reserves the right to amend its allegations and/or this Complaint to add any further defenses once further discovery has been conducted in this matter. PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, pursuant to the Patent Act, 35 U.S.C. 101 and 171, et seq., and the Federal Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. 2201 and 2202, Archer prays for relief as follows: A. Declare that Archer and their customers and suppliers have the right to make, use, sell, offer for sale the Universal Walker Ski Glides product and that this product does not infringe Penco's design patent rights, if any rights are established; B. Declare that Penco's '123 patent entitled "Walker Glide with Retractable Keyed Plug" is invalid and unenforceable; C. Award Archer its costs and Attorney's fees under 15 U.S.C. 1117 and 35 U.S.C. 285, and any other applicable laws; and, D. Awarding such other relief as this Court may deem just and proper. Case 1:14-cv-00257 Document 1 Filed 06/10/14 Page 5 of 6 6 JURY TRIAL DEMAND Archer demands a trial by jury on all issues triable by right of jury. Date: June 10, 2014 Respectfully submitted by, Attorneys for Plaintiff Archer Mobility Products, LLC
/s/ Gary E. Lambert Gary E. Lambert (NH Bar #16245) LAMBERT & ASSOCIATES 92 State Street Boston, MA 02109 Telephone: (617) 720-0091 Facsimile: (617) 720-6307 lambert@lambertpatentlaw.com
Case 1:14-cv-00257 Document 1 Filed 06/10/14 Page 6 of 6 82286087 Salans FMC SNR Denton dentons.com brian.mcginley@dentons.com D +1816 4602605 Dentons US LLP 4520Main Street Suite 1100 Kansas City, MO 64111-7700 USA T +1816 4602400 F +1816 5317545 Brian R. McGi nley Partner J une 3, 2014 By FedEx & E-Mail URGENT Robert Epp Manager Archer Mobility Products, LLC PO Box 611 Holderness, NH 03245 Robert Epp Manager Archer Mobility Products, LLC 20Circle Dr. Holderness, NH 03245 rob@robepp.com Re: Notice of Infringement of U.S. Pat. No. D442123 Our Ref. No. 70000814-0004 Dear : This lawfirmrepresents Penco Medical, Inc. (Penco). Penco owns U.S. Pat. No. D442,123 titled Walker Glide with Retractable Keyed Plug (the '123 Patent) (copy attached as Exhi bi t A). The '123 Patent discloses andclaims anornamental designfor a walker glide withretractable key plug. It has come to our attention that Archer Mobility Products, LLC d/b/a "Top Glides" (Top Glides) appears to be using, selling, importing and/or offering to sell walker glides within the United States under the mark TOP GLIDES that infringe the '123 Patent. For example, we have provided printouts from Top Glides' website at www.topglides.net showing an exemplary "top selling" walker glide design which appears substantiallyidentical to and withinthe scope of our clients '123 Patent (see Exhi bit B). Top Glides' aforementioned unauthorized activities violates our clients patent rights, which subjects Top Glides to claims for monetary damages and injunctive relief and other liabilities including attorney fees and treble damages for willful infringement, particularly in light of the fact that Penco has provided constructive notice of its rights at least through marking its own walker glides in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 287. In addition, we consider it likely that in offering for sale the walker glide designs shown in Exhi bi t B, you are passing off your glides as Penco products and therefore are in breach of the LanhamAct and similar state laws governing unfair competition. Resulting confusion amongst consumers is even more likely given that TopGlides apparently has until recently soldauthorized Penco walker glides under the PENCO mark throughthe website at www.topglides.net. (See Exhi bi t C) On Pencos behalf, we demand that you immediately cease and desist fromanyand all direct and indirect use, sale, or offers to sell within the U.S., or importation into the U.S. of infringing products, or other commercial activities which violate Pencos legal rights. Without limitation we demand that you immediately cease and desist from selling or offering for sale those walker glide products illustrated in Exhibit B and otherwise within the scope of the '123 Patent.. Case 1:14-cv-00257 Document 1-1 Filed 06/10/14 Page 1 of 2 82286087 J une 3, 2014 Page 2 Salans FMC SNR Denton dentons.com Without limitation, we further demand that you provide an accounting of damages to Penco and immediately disclose in writing the identities and locations of all third parties to which you have ever sold or distributed infringing product, and that you identify the numbers of infringing product you have ever sold or distributed. We require this information so that we can determine the amount of monetary damages to which it is entitled. We must receive your writtenassurances of compliance with these demands no later than5:00 p.m. CDT J une 12, 2014. If we do not hear fromyou within this timeframe, Penco is preparedto take appropriate actions to further investigate this matter andprotect its legal rights. This letter shall not constitute a waiver of, or otherwise prejudice, any of Pencos legal rights, whichare expressly reserved. Sincerely, Dentons US LLP By: Brian R. McGinley cc: Penco Medical, Inc. Case 1:14-cv-00257 Document 1-1 Filed 06/10/14 Page 2 of 2 JS 44 (Rev. 12/12) CIVIL COVER SHEET The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replace nor supplement the filing and service of pleadings or other papers as required by law, except as provided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM.) I. (a) PLAINTIFFS DEFENDANTS (b) County of Residence of First Listed Plaintiff County of Residence of First Listed Defendant (EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) (IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY) NOTE: IN LAND CONDEMNATION CASES, USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED.
(c) Attorneys (Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Number) Attorneys (If Known) II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an X in One Box Only) III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in One Box for Plaintiff (For Diversity Cases Only) and One Box for Defendant) 1 U.S. Government 3 Federal Question PTF DEF PTF DEF Plaintiff (U.S. Government Not a Party) Citizen of This State 1 1 Incorporated or Principal Place 4 4 of Business In This State 2 U.S. Government 4 Diversity Citizen of Another State 2 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 5 5 Defendant (Indicate Citizenship of Parties in Item III) of Business In Another State Citizen or Subject of a 3 3 Foreign Nation 6 6 Foreign Country IV. NATURE OF SUIT (Place an X in One Box Only) CONTRACT TORTS FORFEITURE/PENALTY BANKRUPTCY OTHER STATUTES 110 Insurance PERSONAL INJURY PERSONAL INJURY 625 Drug Related Seizure 422 Appeal 28 USC 158 375 False Claims Act 120 Marine 310 Airplane 365 Personal Injury - of Property 21 USC 881 423 Withdrawal 400 State Reapportionment 130 Miller Act 315 Airplane Product Product Liability 690 Other 28 USC 157 410 Antitrust 140 Negotiable Instrument Liability 367 Health Care/ 430 Banks and Banking 150 Recovery of Overpayment 320 Assault, Libel & Pharmaceutical PROPERTY RIGHTS 450 Commerce & Enforcement of Judgment Slander Personal Injury 820 Copyrights 460 Deportation 151 Medicare Act 330 Federal Employers Product Liability 830 Patent 470 Racketeer Influenced and 152 Recovery of Defaulted Liability 368 Asbestos Personal 840 Trademark Corrupt Organizations Student Loans 340 Marine Injury Product 480 Consumer Credit (Excludes Veterans) 345 Marine Product Liability LABOR SOCIAL SECURITY 490 Cable/Sat TV 153 Recovery of Overpayment Liability PERSONAL PROPERTY 710 Fair Labor Standards 861 HIA (1395ff) 850 Securities/Commodities/ of Veterans Benefits 350 Motor Vehicle 370 Other Fraud Act 862 Black Lung (923) Exchange 160 Stockholders Suits 355 Motor Vehicle 371 Truth in Lending 720 Labor/Management 863 DIWC/DIWW (405(g)) 890 Other Statutory Actions 190 Other Contract Product Liability 380 Other Personal Relations 864 SSID Title XVI 891 Agricultural Acts 195 Contract Product Liability 360 Other Personal Property Damage 740 Railway Labor Act 865 RSI (405(g)) 893 Environmental Matters 196 Franchise Injury 385 Property Damage 751 Family and Medical 895 Freedom of Information 362 Personal Injury - Product Liability Leave Act Act Medical Malpractice 790 Other Labor Litigation 896 Arbitration REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRISONER PETITIONS 791 Employee Retirement FEDERAL TAX SUITS 899 Administrative Procedure 210 Land Condemnation 440 Other Civil Rights Habeas Corpus: Income Security Act 870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff Act/Review or Appeal of 220 Foreclosure 441 Voting 463 Alien Detainee or Defendant) Agency Decision 230 Rent Lease & Ejectment 442 Employment 510 Motions to Vacate 871 IRSThird Party 950 Constitutionality of 240 Torts to Land 443 Housing/ Sentence 26 USC 7609 State Statutes 245 Tort Product Liability Accommodations 530 General 290 All Other Real Property 445 Amer. w/Disabilities - 535 Death Penalty IMMIGRATION Employment Other: 462 Naturalization Application 446 Amer. w/Disabilities - 540 Mandamus & Other 465 Other Immigration Other 550 Civil Rights Actions 448 Education 555 Prison Condition 560 Civil Detainee - Conditions of Confinement V. ORIGIN (Place an X in One Box Only) 1 Original Proceeding 2 Removed from State Court 3 Remanded from Appellate Court 4 Reinstated or Reopened 5 Transferred from Another District (specify) 6 Multidistrict Litigation VI. CAUSE OF ACTION Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity):
Brief description of cause: VII. REQUESTED IN COMPLAINT: CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS ACTION UNDER RULE 23, F.R.Cv.P. DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint: JURY DEMAND: Yes No VIII. RELATED CASE(S) IF ANY (See instructions): JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OFFICE USE ONLY RECEIPT # AMOUNT APPLYING IFP JUDGE MAG. JUDGE Archer Mobility Products, LLC Grafton, NH Gary E. Lambert Lambert & Associates 92 State Street, Suite 200 Boston, MA 02109 Penco Medical, Inc. Luzerne, PA 28 U.S.C. 2201 (Declaratory Judgment Act) Declaratory judgment of non-infringement of patent rights 06/10/2014 /Gary E. Lambert/ Case 1:14-cv-00257 Document 1-2 Filed 06/10/14 Page 1 of 2 JS 44 Reverse (Rev. 12/12) INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTORNEYS COMPLETING CIVIL COVER SHEET FORM JS 44 Authority For Civil Cover Sheet The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replaces nor supplements the filings and service of pleading or other papers as required by law, except as provided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. Consequently, a civil cover sheet is submitted to the Clerk of Court for each civil complaint filed. The attorney filing a case should complete the form as follows: I.(a) Plaintiffs-Defendants. Enter names (last, first, middle initial) of plaintiff and defendant. If the plaintiff or defendant is a government agency, use only the full name or standard abbreviations. If the plaintiff or defendant is an official within a government agency, identify first the agency and then the official, giving both name and title. (b) County of Residence. For each civil case filed, except U.S. plaintiff cases, enter the name of the county where the first listed plaintiff resides at the time of filing. In U.S. plaintiff cases, enter the name of the county in which the first listed defendant resides at the time of filing. (NOTE: In land condemnation cases, the county of residence of the "defendant" is the location of the tract of land involved.) (c) Attorneys. Enter the firm name, address, telephone number, and attorney of record. If there are several attorneys, list them on an attachment, noting in this section "(see attachment)". II. Jurisdiction. The basis of jurisdiction is set forth under Rule 8(a), F.R.Cv.P., which requires that jurisdictions be shown in pleadings. Place an "X" in one of the boxes. If there is more than one basis of jurisdiction, precedence is given in the order shown below. United States plaintiff. (1) Jurisdiction based on 28 U.S.C. 1345 and 1348. Suits by agencies and officers of the United States are included here. United States defendant. (2) When the plaintiff is suing the United States, its officers or agencies, place an "X" in this box. Federal question. (3) This refers to suits under 28 U.S.C. 1331, where jurisdiction arises under the Constitution of the United States, an amendment to the Constitution, an act of Congress or a treaty of the United States. In cases where the U.S. is a party, the U.S. plaintiff or defendant code takes precedence, and box 1 or 2 should be marked. Diversity of citizenship. (4) This refers to suits under 28 U.S.C. 1332, where parties are citizens of different states. When Box 4 is checked, the citizenship of the different parties must be checked. (See Section III below; NOTE: federal question actions take precedence over diversity cases.) III. Residence (citizenship) of Principal Parties. This section of the JS 44 is to be completed if diversity of citizenship was indicated above. Mark this section for each principal party. IV. Nature of Suit. Place an "X" in the appropriate box. If the nature of suit cannot be determined, be sure the cause of action, in Section VI below, is sufficient to enable the deputy clerk or the statistical clerk(s) in the Administrative Office to determine the nature of suit. If the cause fits more than one nature of suit, select the most definitive. V. Origin. Place an "X" in one of the six boxes. Original Proceedings. (1) Cases which originate in the United States district courts. Removed from State Court. (2) Proceedings initiated in state courts may be removed to the district courts under Title 28 U.S.C., Section 1441. When the petition for removal is granted, check this box. Remanded from Appellate Court. (3) Check this box for cases remanded to the district court for further action. Use the date of remand as the filing date. Reinstated or Reopened. (4) Check this box for cases reinstated or reopened in the district court. Use the reopening date as the filing date. Transferred from Another District. (5) For cases transferred under Title 28 U.S.C. Section 1404(a). Do not use this for within district transfers or multidistrict litigation transfers. Multidistrict Litigation. (6) Check this box when a multidistrict case is transferred into the district under authority of Title 28 U.S.C. Section 1407. When this box is checked, do not check (5) above. VI. Cause of Action. Report the civil statute directly related to the cause of action and give a brief description of the cause. Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity. Example: U.S. Civil Statute: 47 USC 553 Brief Description: Unauthorized reception of cable service VII. Requested in Complaint. Class Action. Place an "X" in this box if you are filing a class action under Rule 23, F.R.Cv.P. Demand. In this space enter the actual dollar amount being demanded or indicate other demand, such as a preliminary injunction. Jury Demand. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether or not a jury is being demanded. VIII. Related Cases. This section of the JS 44 is used to reference related pending cases, if any. If there are related pending cases, insert the docket numbers and the corresponding judge names for such cases. Date and Attorney Signature. Date and sign the civil cover sheet. Case 1:14-cv-00257 Document 1-2 Filed 06/10/14 Page 2 of 2 AO 440 (Rev. 06/12) Summons in a Civil Action UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT for the __________ District of __________ ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Plaintiff(s) v. Civil Action No. Defendant(s) SUMMONS IN A CIVIL ACTION To: (Defendants name and address) A lawsuit has been filed against you. Within 21 days after service of this summons on you (not counting the day you received it) or 60 days if you are the United States or a United States agency, or an officer or employee of the United States described in Fed. R. Civ. P. 12 (a)(2) or (3) you must serve on the plaintiff an answer to the attached complaint or a motion under Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The answer or motion must be served on the plaintiff or plaintiffs attorney, whose name and address are: If you fail to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. You also must file your answer or motion with the court. CLERK OF COURT Date: Signature of Clerk or Deputy Clerk District of New Hampshire Archer Mobility Products, LLC Penco Medical, Inc. Penco Medical, Inc. One Ice Lake Drive Mountaintop, PA 18707 Gary E. Lambert Lambert & Associates 92 State Street Suite 200 Boston, MA 02109 Case 1:14-cv-00257 Document 1-3 Filed 06/10/14 Page 1 of 2 AO 440 (Rev. 06/12) Summons in a Civil Action (Page 2) Civil Action No. PROOF OF SERVICE (This section should not be filed with the court unless required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 4 (l)) This summons for (name of individual and title, if any) was received by me on (date) . I personally served the summons on the individual at (place) on (date) ; or I left the summons at the individuals residence or usual place of abode with (name) , a person of suitable age and discretion who resides there, on (date) , and mailed a copy to the individuals last known address; or I served the summons on (name of individual) , who is designated by law to accept service of process on behalf of (name of organization) on (date) ; or I returned the summons unexecuted because ; or Other (specify): . My fees are $ for travel and $ for services, for a total of $ . I declare under penalty of perjury that this information is true. Date: Servers signature Printed name and title Servers address Additional information regarding attempted service, etc: 0.00 Case 1:14-cv-00257 Document 1-3 Filed 06/10/14 Page 2 of 2