Dyson v. Euro-Pro - Complaint

8/13/2019 Dyson v. Euro-Pro - Complaint

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

EASTERN DIVISION

DYSON, INC. andDYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED,

Plaintiffs,

v.

EURO-PRO OPERATING LLC andEURO-PRO SALES COMPANY,

Defendants.

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Case No.

JURY TRIAL DEMANDED

COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

Plaintiffs Dyson, Inc. and Dyson Technology Limited (collectively, Dyson) file this

Complaint for Patent Infringement against Defendants Euro-Pro Operating LLC and Euro-Pro

Sales Company (collectively, Euro-Pro), hereby demand a jury trial, and allege as follows:

NATURE OF THE ACTION

1. This is a civil action for infringement. This action is based upon the patent laws ofthe United States, 35 U.S.C. 1 et seq.

THE PARTIES

2. Plaintiff Dyson, Inc. is an Illinois corporation with its principal place of businessin Chicago, Illinois.

3. Plaintiff Dyson Technology Limited is a private limited company organized andexisting under the laws of England and Wales, with its principal place of business in

Malmesbury, United Kingdom.

Case: 1:14-cv-00779 Document #: 1 Filed: 02/04/14 Page 1 of 6 PageID #:1


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4. On information and belief Defendant Euro-Pro Operating LLC is a limitedliability company organized under the laws of the state of Delaware with an office and principal

place of business located at 180 Wells Avenue, Newton, Massachusetts 02459.

5. On information and belief Defendant Euro-Pro Sales Company is a corporationorganized under the laws of the state of Delaware with an office and principal place of business

located at 180 Wells Avenue, Newton, Massachusetts 02459.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

6. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action pursuant to 28U.S.C. 1331 and 1338(a).

7. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Euro-Pro because Euro-Pro hasconducted and is conducting substantial business in this Judicial District, both generally and with

respect to the allegations in this Complaint, and Euro-Pro has committed one or more acts of

infringement in this District.

8. Venue is proper in this District under 28 U.S.C. 1391(b)(c) and 1400(b)because Euro-Pro has regularly conducted business in this District and has committed, and is

continuing to commit, acts of patent infringement in this District by making, using, importing,

selling, or offering to sell vacuum cleaners, accessories, and parts that infringe Dysons patents.

THE PATENTS

9. On September 25, 2012, United States Patent No. D668,010 (the 010 patent),entitled VACUUM CLEANER (Exhibit A), duly and legally issued.

10. Dyson Technology Limited owns all rights, title, and interest in and to the 010patent and has the right to sue and recover for past, present, and future infringement.



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11. Under a license to the 010 patent from Dyson Technology Limited, Dyson, Inc.sells and distributes Dyson vacuum cleaners, accessories, and parts in the United States.

12. On October 9, 2012, United States Patent No. D668,823 (the 823 patent),entitled VACUUM CLEANER (Exhibit B), duly and legally issued.

13. Dyson Technology Limited owns all rights, title, and interest in and to the 823patent and has the right to sue and recover for past, present, and future infringement.

14. Under a license to the 823 patent from Dyson Technology Limited, Dyson, Inc.sells and distributes Dyson vacuum cleaners, accessories, and parts in the United States.

COUNT I - INFRINGEMENT OF THE 010 PATENT

15. Paragraphs 1 through 14 are incorporated by reference as though fully statedherein.

16. Euro-Pro has manufactured, used, imported, offered for sale, or sold vacuumcleaners, accessories, and parts, including at least the Shark Rocket and its accessories and parts,

that directly or indirectly infringe, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, at least the

claim of the 010 patent in violation of 35 U.S.C. 271.

17. Euro-Pros infringement has damaged and continues to damage and injure Dyson.The injury to Dyson is irreparable and will continue unless and until Euro-Pro is enjoined from

further infringement.

18. Euro-Pro has engaged and is engaging in willful and deliberate infringement ofthe 010 patent. Such willful and deliberate infringement justifies an increase of three times the

damages to be assessed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 284 and further qualifies this action as an

exceptional case supporting an award of reasonable attorneys fees pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 285.



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COUNT II - INFRINGEMENT OF THE 823 PATENT

19. Paragraphs 1 through 18 are incorporated by reference as though fully statedherein.

20. Euro-Pro has manufactured, used, imported, offered for sale, or sold vacuumcleaners, accessories, and parts, including at least the Shark Rocket and its accessories and parts,

that directly or indirectly infringe, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, at least the

claim of the 823 patent in violation of 35 U.S.C. 271.

21. Euro-Pros infringement has damaged and continues to damage and injure Dyson.The injury to Dyson is irreparable and will continue unless and until Euro-Pro is enjoined from

further infringement.

22. Euro-Pro has engaged and is engaging in willful and deliberate infringement ofthe 823 patent. Such willful and deliberate infringement justifies an increase of three times the

damages to be assessed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 284 and further qualifies this action as an

exceptional case supporting an award of reasonable attorneys fees pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 285.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Dyson prays that this Court:

A. Enter a judgment that Euro-Pro has infringed, actively induced others to infringe,and/or contributorily infringed the 010 and 823 patents;

B. Award Dyson damages in an amount sufficient to compensate Dyson for Euro-Pros infringement, active inducement of others infringement, and/or contributory infringement

of the 010 and 823 patents, but not less than a reasonable royalty;

C. Award Dyson prejudgment interest pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 284.



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D. Award Dyson the total profits from Euro-Pros infringing sales pursuant to 35U.S.C. 289, by reason of Euro-Pros infringement of the 010 and 823 patents.

E. Award Dyson increased damages pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 284, in an amount notless than three times the amount of actual damages awarded to Dyson, by reason of Euro-Pros

willful infringement of the 010 and 823 patents;

F. Enter a permanent injunction enjoining Euro-Pro, its officers, directors, servants,managers, employees, agents, attorneys, successors and assignees, and all persons in active

concert or participation with any of them, from further acts of infringement of the 010 and 823

patents, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 283;

G. Declare this case exceptional under 35 U.S.C. 285 and award Dyson itsreasonable attorneys fees, expenses, and costs incurred in prosecuting this action; and

H. Grant Dyson such other and further relief as this Court may deem just and proper.JURY DEMAND

Dyson hereby demands a jury trial on all issues appropriately triable by a jury.



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Dated: February 4, 2014 Respectfully submitted,

/s/ David K. Callahan

David K. Callahan, P.C. (6206671)

[email protected] Marie T. Wahls (6275778)[email protected]

Ian J. Block (6299117)

[email protected] & ELLIS LLP

300 North LaSalle

Chicago, Illinois 60654

Telephone: (312) 862-2000Facsimile: (312) 862-2200

Counsel for Plaintiffs Dyson, Inc. & DysonTechnology Limited



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Exhibit A

Case: 1:14-cv-00779 Document #: 1-1 Filed: 02/04/14 Page 1 of 8 PageID #:7


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1 2 ) United States Design Patent 1 0 ) P a t e n t N o . :S t i c k n e y e t a ] .

USO0D668010S

US D 6 6 8 , 0 1 0 S4 5 ) Date o f P a t e n t : * 1 , S e p . 2 5 , 2012

5 4 ) VACUUMCLEANER7 5 ) I n v e n t o r s : T i m o t h y N i c h o l a s S t i c k n e y ,

M a l m e s b u r y G B ) ; P e t e r D a v i dGammack, M a l m e s b u r y G B ) ; J a m e sD y s o n , M a l m e s b u r y G B )7 3 ) A s s i g n e e : D y s o n L i m i t e d , M a l m e s b u r y , W i l t s h i r e

G B )* * ) T e r m : 1 4 Years2 1 ) A p p l . N o . : 2 9 / 3 8 5 , 0 6 42 2 ) F i l e d : F e b . 8 , 2 0 1 13 0 ) F o r e i g n A p p l i c a t i o n P r i o r i t y D a t aAug. 2 7 , 2 0 1 0 ER) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 001231708-0001

51) LOC 9 ) Cl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-0552) US. l. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D32/1858) Field of Clas si?cation Sea rch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D32/3l,

D 3 2 / 3 4 , 2 2 , 1 8 , 2 1 ; l 5 / 3 4 7 , 3 5 3 , 3 2 0 , 3 2 9 ,l 5 / 3 4 4 ; 5 5 / 3 2 0 , 3 3 7 , D I G . 3 , 4 2 9 , 3 4 5 , 4 5 9 . 1S e e a p p l i c a t i o n ? l e f o r c o m p l e t e s e a r c h h i s t o r y .

5 6 ) R e f e r e n c e s C i t e dU . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS

D348,548 S * 7/1994 Pino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D32/l8D577,l63 S * 9/2008 Dyson e t a 1 . D32/2lD587,4l5 S * 2/2009 Dyson t a 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D32/3l

7,874,040 B2 l/20ll Fo l l o ws e t a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l5/347D635,728 S * 4/20ll Fje ll m a n . . . . . . . . . . . . D32/222009/0ll3663 Al * 5 / 2 0 0 9 F o l l o w s e t a l . l 5 / 3 4 72 0 1 0 / 0 2 2 9 3 2 1 Al* 9 / 2 0 1 0 Dyson t a l . l 5 / 3 4 4

2 0 l l / 0 2 l 9 5 7 l Al 9/20ll Dyson t a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l5/344OTHER PUBLICATIONS

S t i c k n e y e t a l . , US. O f ? c e A c t i o n m a i l e d F e b . 8 , 2 0 1 2 , d i r e c t e d t oUS. p p l . N o . 2 9 / 3 8 4 , 8 6 2 ; 8 p a g e s .S t i c k n e y e t a l . , US. O f ? c e A c t i o n m a i l e d F e b . 8 , 2 0 1 2 , d i r e c t e d t oUS. p p l . N o . 2 9 / 3 8 4 , 8 5 7 ; 6 p a g e s .S t i c k n e y e t a l . , US. O f ? c e A c t i o n m a i l e d F e b . 9 , 2 0 1 2 , d i r e c t e d t oUS. p p l . N o . 2 9 / 3 8 4 , 8 5 8 ; 5 p a g e s .* c i t e d by examinerPrimary Examiner uth McInroy7 4 ) A t t o r n e y , A g e n t , or Firm * orrison o e r s t e r LLP5 7 ) CLAIMWe claim t h e ornamental d e s i g n f o r a vacuum c l e a n e r , a sshoWn and d e s c r i b e d .

DESCRIPTIONFIG. 1 i s a p e r s p e c t i v e vieW of vacuum l e a n e r showing ourneW d e s i g n ;F I G . 2 i s a p l a n vieW t h e r e o f from a b o v e ;F I G . 3 i s a p l a n vieW t h e r e o f from b e l o W ;F I G . 4 i s a s i d e vieW t h e r e o f ;F I G . 5 i s a s i d e vieW from h e s i d e o p p o s i t e t h a t o f F I G . 4 ;F I G . 6 i s a f r o n t vieW t h e r e o f ; a n d ,FIG. 7 s a r e a r vieW t h e r e o f .

1 C l a i m , 6 Drawing S h e e t s



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US. Patent S e p . 2 5 , 2 0 1 2 S h e e t 1 o f 6 US D668,010 S

P E G . 1



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US. Patent S e p . 2 5 , 2 0 1 2 S h e e t 2 o f 6 US D668,010 SCase: 1:14-cv-00779 Document #: 1-1 Filed: 02/04/14 Page 4 of 8 PageID #:10


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US. Patent S e p . 2 5 , 2 0 1 2 S h e e t 3 o f 6 US D668,010 S

3



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Exhibit B



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Dyson v. Euro-Pro - Complaint