Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 1 of 17

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
HOUSTON DIVISION

§
§
§
Michelin North America, Inc.,
§
§ CIVIL ACTION FILE
Plaintiff,
§
§ NO.________________
vs.
§
§
Tri-Ace Wheel & Tire Corporation,
§ JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
§
Defendant.
§
§
§

COMPLAINT

Plaintiff Michelin North America, Inc. (hereinafter “Michelin”), for its Complaint against

Defendant Tri-Ace Wheel & Tire Corporation (“Tri-Ace”), hereby alleges, upon personal

knowledge as to itself and its own acts, and on information and belief as to all other matters,

based on an investigation made by and through its counsel, as follows:

NATURE OF THE ACTION

1. This is a civil action for infringement of United States Design Patent No. D728,457

(hereinafter “’457 patent”) in violation of the Patent Act of the United States, 35 U.S.C.

§ 101 et. seq. The making, use, sale, offer for sale, and/or importation of tires having the

tire tread presented by Defendant Tri-Ace’s tire sold under the name ALL TERRAIN II

under the BLACK BEAR brand infringes the claimed tire tread design of the ’457 patent.

Accordingly, Michelin seeks damages for Tri-Ace’s infringement, a permanent injunction

barring Tri-Ace from further tortious actions, and other appropriate relief.

1
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 2 of 17

PARTIES

2. Plaintiff Michelin is a New York corporation having its principal place of business at 1

Parkway S., Greenville, South Carolina, 29605, United States.

3. Defendant Tri-Ace exists under the laws of the State of Texas as a domestic for-profit

corporation with its principal place of business at 3203 S Sam Houston Parkway East,

Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77047. The BLACK BEAR website,

http://blackbeartire.com/index.php?case=archive&act=list&catid=14, purports to identify

a BLACK BEAR entity only as “Black Bear USA” but provides no corporate or other

legal entity designation and lists its United States address as: 3203 S Sam Houston

Parkway East, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77047, i.e. the address for Tri-Ace. Further, a

press release presented on the BLACKBEAR site, at

http://www.blackbeartire.com/index.php?case=archive&act=list&catid=3, is titled “Dust

Brothers Motorsports with TRI-ACE tires” and references use of TRI-ACE brand tires.

Upon information and belief, BLACK BEAR is a brand of Defendant Tri-Ace.

4. Upon information and belief, Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Tri-Ace is engaged in

importing, selling, and/or offering for sale, in the United States, the tires at issue in this

lawsuit, including importing such tires from China, displaying such tires at the Specialty

Equipment Market Association (SEMA) tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada, and selling

such tires through a United States distributor, SimpleTire LLC, of Trevose, PA, and on

the AMAZON website.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

5. This is an action for design patent infringement arising under the Patent Act, 35 U.S.C.

§ 101 et seq. The Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28

2
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 3 of 17

U.S.C. § 1331 (federal question) and 28 U.S.C. § 1338(a) (action arising under the Patent

Act).

6. The Court has personal jurisdiction over Tri-Ace for one or more of the following

reasons:

a. Tri-Ace is incorporated in the State of Texas and resides in this District;

b. Tri-Ace maintains an in-state registered agent for service of process. That

registered agent is Peter Chen, 3203 S Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 100,

Houston, Texas 77047. When said agent is served with copies of the

Summons and Complaint in this matter, Tri-Ace will be subject to the

jurisdiction of this Court.

c. The exercise of personal jurisdiction over Tri-Ace by this Court is consistent

with the Federal Due Process Clause, Tri-Ace having established minimum

contacts within this forum such that the exercise of jurisdiction over Tri-Ace

would not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice;

d. Upon information and belief, Tri-Ace has done and continues to do business

in the State of Texas, including in this District; and

e. Upon information and belief, Tri-Ace directs into the State of Texas,

including in this District, commerce, goods and services.

7. Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1400(b) because Tri-Ace resides

in this District, in that it is incorporated within the State of Texas and has a registered

office within this District.

3
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 4 of 17

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

8. Michelin is a leader in manufacturing and innovation in the field of vehicle tires and tire

tread designs. Michelin’s tire brands include MICHELIN®, BFGOODRICH®, and

UNIROYAL®. Michelin is devoted to bringing cutting-edge designs and technology to

the consuming public, for example through tires manufactured and sold by Michelin,

including the BFGOODRICH ALL-TERRAIN T/A® KO2 tire.

9. On May 5, 2015, United States Design Patent No. D728,457 was duly and legally issued

by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A true and correct copy of the ’457

patent is attached as Exhibit A. The ’457 patent is valid, enforceable and currently in full

force and effect.

10. Michelin is the owner and assignee of all substantial rights, title and interest in the ’457

patent, including the right to bring this action and enforce the ’457 patent against

infringers, and to collect damages for all relevant times.

11. Michelin makes, sells and promotes tire products whose ornamental tire tread designs are

protected by the ’457 patent. These products include tires sold under the name ALL-

TERRAIN T/A® KO2 under the BFGOODRICH® brand, which are offered for sale

and/or sold in the United States, including in Texas.

12. Michelin has practiced the ’457 patent in connection with the commercialization of its

BFGOODRICH ALL-TERRAIN T/A® KO2 tires, as shown for example in the side-by-

side comparison of the treads of the ’457 patent and the Michelin tire below:

4
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 5 of 17

’457 Patent BFGOODRICH ALL-TERRAIN T/A®

KO2 Tire

13. Michelin has extensively promoted, advertised and used the tread design of the ’457

patent, through Michelin’s BFGOODRICH ALL-TERRAIN T/A® KO2 tire, in a variety

of media, including, but not limited to, brochures, point of purchase display materials,

advertisements, trade show displays, and on the Internet.

14. The claimed design of the ’457 patent includes a portion thereof disposed on the tire

sidewall, as indicated in Figure 1 below at A1-A3, and a portion thereof disposed at the

tire tread center, as indicated in Figure 2 below at A4-A6. See also Exhibit A at Figures 1

and 2. The sidewall portion includes repeating pairs of alternating two-lobed elements

A1 and A2 above the sidewall and generally U-shaped elements A3 extending down onto

the sidewall from respective adjacent pairs of two-lobed elements.

5
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 6 of 17

Figure 1

15. The central portion, depicted below at A4-A6 and in Figure 2 of Exhibit A, comprises a

series of repeating groups of a right-facing generally C shaped element A4, a center

generally S shaped element A5, and a left-facing generally C shaped element A6.

Figure 2

6
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 7 of 17

16. Michelin and Tri-Ace both compete in the tire industry. Tri-Ace sells its BLACK BEAR

ALL TERRAIN II tire in competition with Michelin.

17. Upon information and belief, Tri-Ace owns and operates the website

http://blackbeartire.com/. Upon information and belief, Tri-Ace offers tire products,

including the BLACK BEAR ALL-TERRAIN II tire, for sale in the United States

through distributors and through the AMAZON website http://www.amazon.com.

Photographs of a BLACK BEAR ALL-TERRAIN II tire that was purchased from

SimpleTire LLC, of Trevose, PA, (the “BLACK BEAR Tire”), are provided below at

Paragraph 20, Figures 3-6 and Paragraph 23, Figure 8.

18. Upon information and belief, the BLACK BEAR Tire was manufactured in China (DOT

PPMP 26171) and imported by Tri-Ace into the United States.

19. The Tri-Ace BLACK BEAR ALL-TERRAIN II tire includes a tread design that nearly

identically replicates the ornamental design of the ’457 patent.

20. As shown in Figures 3-6 below at Paragraph 20, the BLACK BEAR ALL-TERRAIN II

tire tread design has a sidewall portion with repeating pairs of alternating two-lobed

elements B1 and B2. Generally U-shaped elements B3 extend down onto the sidewall

from respective adjacent pairs of two-lobed elements.

21. As depicted in Figures 3-6 below, the BLACK BEAR ALL-TERRAIN II tread design

has a central portion having a series of repeating groups of a right-facing generally C

1
The “PP” notation is as plant code that indicates the BLACK BEAR Tire was manufactured by
Shandong Guofeng Rubber & Plastic Co., LTD in Dawang Town, Guangrao, China. See TSG,
Tire DOT Plant Codes – Sorted by Plant Code, http://www.tiresafetygroup.com/tire-dot-plant-
codes-sorted-plant-code/ (last visited Nov. 21, 2019); HARRIGER, New Tire Manufacturers Plant
Codes, Tire List 7 Code N1-V4, http://www.harriger.com/tire7.htm (last visited Nov. 21, 2019).
7
Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 8 of 17

shaped element B4, alternating center elongated elements B5 and B6, and a left-facing

generally C shaped element B7.

Figure 3

8
Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 9 of 17

Figure 4

9
Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 10 of 17

Figure 5

10
Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 11 of 17

Figure 6

11
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 12 of 17

22. Side-by-side comparisons of the ’457 patented design and the BLACK BEAR ALL-

TERRAIN II tire tread design are provided below in Figures 7 and 8:

Figure 7

’457 Patent Black Bear All-Terrain II

Figure 6

12
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 13 of 17

Figure 8

‘457 Patent Black Bear All-Terrain II

Figure 4

23. A visual comparison of the BLACK BEAR ALL-TERRAIN II tire tread design and the

’457 patented design demonstrates that the infringing BLACK BEAR tire has a tread

design that is the same or substantially the same as the tread design of the ’457 patent.

24. The tread designs are so similar as to be nearly identical, such that an ordinary observer

familiar with the relevant prior art, giving such attention as a purchaser usually gives,

would find the claimed design of the ’457 patent and the tread design of the BLACK

BEAR tire to be substantially the same, such that the ordinary observer would be

deceived into believing the BLACK BEAR tire tread design is the design claimed by the

’457 patent.

13
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 14 of 17

25. Michelin has not granted a license or any other authorization to Tri-Ace to make use,

offer for sale, sell, or import tires that embody the tread design in the ’457 patent and

which is proprietary to Michelin.

COUNT I

TRI-ACE’S INFRINGEMENT OF UNITED STATES PATENT NO. D728,457

26. Michelin incorporates by reference the allegations, and figures, contained in paragraphs

1-25 above.

27. Tri-Ace has directly infringed and continues to directly infringe the ’457 patent by, inter

alia, making, using, offering for sale, selling and/or importing in the United States

products infringing the ornamental design covered by the ’457 patent in violation of 35

U.S.C. §§ 271 and 289, including but not limited to the BLACK BEAR ALL-TERRAIN

II tire.

28. Tri-Ace has infringed the ’457 patent because, inter alia, the tread of the BLACK BEAR

ALL-TERRAIN II tire is virtually identical to the design claimed by the ’457 patent, and,

looking at the two products as a whole, an ordinary observer would find the tread designs

of the BLACK BEAR ALL-TERRAIN II tire and of the ’457 patent to be substantially

the same.

29. Upon information and belief, Tri-Ace also induced, and continues to induce, others to

infringe the ’457 patent by encouraging and promoting the use and/or sale by others of

tires that infringe the ’457 patent, including the BLACK BEAR ALL TERRAIN II tires,

in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(b).

30. Tri-Ace has had actual knowledge of the ’457 patent since at least the date on which Tri-

Ace received service of the complaint in this Action.

14
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 15 of 17

31. Tri-Ace’s direct and induced infringement of the ’457 patent has caused damage to

Michelin.

32. Tri-Ace’s infringing activities will continue unless enjoined by this Court pursuant to 35

U.S.C. § 283 and/or its equitable powers.

33. Tri-Ace’s infringement of the ’457 patent was undertaken without authority, permission,

or license from Michelin in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271.

34. Michelin is entitled to a complete accounting of all revenues and profits derived by Tri-

Ace from the unlawful conduct alleged herein, including without limitation, Tri-Ace’s

total profit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 289.

35. Michelin is entitled to a permanent injunction preventing Tri-Ace from further infringing

the ’457 patent.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, Michelin, prays for the following relief:

A. A judgment entered in favor of Michelin on its claim that Tri-Ace has directly

and/or indirectly infringed the ’457 patent;

B. A permanent injunction enjoining Tri-Ace, its respective officers, directors,

agents, and employees and all those in concert or participation with it who receive notice

of this judgment by personal service or otherwise, from making, importing, selling, using,

and offering to sell infringing products practicing the ’457 patent and from otherwise

infringing, contributing to infringement of, and actively inducing infringement of the

’457 patent;

C. A judgment and order that Tri-Ace make an accounting to Michelin and pay over to

Michelin the extent of Tri-Ace’s total profit and revenue realized and derived from its

15
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 16 of 17

infringement of the ’457 patent, and actual damages to Michelin in an amount not less

than a reasonable royalty for Tri-Ace’s infringement;

D. An award of costs of this action together with Michelin’s reasonable attorney fees,

pursuant to 35 U.S.C § 285 for this case being exceptional, and as permitted under other

applicable laws;

E. An award of interest, including prejudgment interest, on all damages; and

F. An award to Michelin of such further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

DEMAND FOR TRIAL BY JURY

Michelin hereby demands a trial by jury as to all issues so triable.

Dated: December 17, 2019 Respectfully submitted,

BLANK ROME LLP

/s/ Domingo Manuel LLagostera

Domingo Manuel LLagostera (TBN: 24070157)
717 Texas Avenue, Suite 1400
Houston, TX 77002
Tel.: (713) 632-8682
Fax.: (713) 228-6605
Email: dllagostera@blankrome.com
-and-
pro hac vice applications to be submitted:

/s/ Lloyd Farr

Lloyd Farr
Georgia Bar No. 255435
Elizabeth A. Falconer
Georgia Bar No. 200141
NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH, LLP
Atlantic Station
201 17th Street, NW, Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA 30363

16
Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 17 of 17

Telephone: (404) 322-6000

Facsimile: (404) 322-6050
Lloyd.Farr@nelsonmullins.com
Elizabeth.Falconer@nelsonmullins.com

17
Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1-1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 1 of 6

EXHIBIT A
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1-1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 2 of 6
I 1111111111111111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIII 11111 11111111111111111 II IIIII IIII
US00D728457S

c12) United States Design Patent (10) Patent No.: US D728,457 S

Reim et al. (45) Date of Patent: ** May 5, 2015

(54) TIRE TREAD D405,400 S 2/1999 Teeple et al.

D419,502 S 1/2000 Custons, Jr. et al.
(71) Applicants:Compagnie Generale des D455,118 S 4/2002 Oliver
D504,389 S 4/2005 Boggs et al.
Etablissements Michelin, D505,385 S * 5/2005 Green et al. D12/579
Clermont-Ferrand (FR); Michelin D570,280 S * 6/2008 Lo . D12/579
Recherche et Technique S.A., D594,815 S 6/2009 Reim et al.
Granges-Paccot (CH) D604,233 S 11/2009 Reim et al.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(72) Inventors: Kevin Ray Reim, Simpsonville, SC
(US); Fang Zhu, Greer, SC (US) BFGoodrich Rugged Terrain TIA tire, www.bfgoodrichtires.com, at
least as early as Nov. 19, 2012, 1 page.
(73) Assignees: Compagnie Generale des BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO tire, www.bfgoodrichtires.com, at
Etablissements Michelin, least as early as Nov. 19, 2012, 1 page.
Clermont-Ferrand (FR); Michelin
Recherche et Technique S.A., * cited by examiner
Granges-Paccot (CH)
Primary Examiner - Robert M Spear
(**) Term: 14 Years (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Dority & Manning, PA

(21) Appl. No.: 29/438,751 (57) CLAIM

The ornamental design for a tire tread, as shown and
(22) Filed: Dec. 3, 2012 described.
(51) LOC (10) Cl. ................................................ 12-15
(52) U.S. Cl. DESCRIPTION
USPC . ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... .. D12/580
( 58) Field of Classification Search FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tire tread showing our new
USPC ................ D12/544, 545, 579, 580, 599, 600; design, it being understood that the tread pattern repeats
152/209.1-209.9, 209.11-209.19, circumferentially throughout the outer circumference and
152/209.21-209.28 shoulder of the tire, the opposite side perspective being iden-
See application file for complete search history. tical thereto;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view thereof;
(56) References Cited FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the right side thereof; and,
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the left side elevation
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS thereof.
In the drawings, the broken line disclosure of the tire sidewall
D250,813 S * 1/1979 Fetty et al. D12/545
and inner bead depicts environmental structure and forms no
D296,679 S * 7/ 1988 Lassan . D12/580
D316,534 S * 4/1991 Hutz D12/601 part of the claimed design.
D399,799 S 10/1998 Dunlap et al.
D402,941 S 12/1998 Teeple et al. 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Sheets
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1-1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 3 of 6

U.S. Patent May 5, 2015 Sheet 1 of 4 US D728,457 S

_,,,,. .......
/ ' '-
"\
/
/ /
I \
I .----.. \
I ,,,,. ' \
I / / " \ \
I I \ \
I A \ \
I I \ \ \
I I \ \ \
I I \ \ \
I I \ \ \
I I \ \ \
I I \ \ I
I I I I I
I I I I I
I I I I I
\ I / / I
I \ / / /
\ \ I I I
\ \ I I I
\ \ I I /
\ V / /
\ \ I I
\ \" // I
\ '-._ _ __.,,,,. I
\ I
\ I
"" '-
\ /

-----
/
/
....... _,,,,. /

FIG. -1-
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1-1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 4 of 6

U.S. Patent May 5, 2015 Sheet 2 of 4 US D728,457 S

FIG. -2-
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1-1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 5 of 6

U.S. Patent May 5, 2015 Sheet 3 of 4 US D728,457 S

/
_,,.. --- ' '
/
/
''
---- -- ' '
/ '-

/
/
/
/ --- ' \..
\..
/
'-
I
I
/
/
/
' \.. \
\
I I \ \
I I \ \
I I \ \
I I \ \
I I I I
I I I I
I I I I
\ \ I I
\ \ I I
\ \ I I
\ \ I I
"'
\ / I
\
\ I
________ ,,,.,,.,
/
\
\..
' ' ........
/ /
/
/
I

"' '-
/
/
/

''
/ ,,_--,____,,
....... ___ /
/

---

FIG. -3-
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1-1 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 6 of 6

U.S. Patent May 5, 2015 Sheet 4 of 4 US D728,457 S

""""'-...-,----,-
/
/
---- ---- .......
'-
~,._....-</
/
''
-- ---- -- ---- '- '"
/
/

I
I
/
/
/ /

'' "\ \
I I \.
I I \ \
I I \ \
I I \ \
I I \ \
I I \ I
I I I I
I \ I I
\ \ I I
\ \ I I
\ \ I I
\ \ I I
\ I
\
'' I
I

_____
\ /
\ '- ....... ...._-... /
/ I
"'
,..,,- / I
/

'
/__...,__,_..,
''
/

--
/

--
'- ....... /
/
_,__......,....~

FIG. -4-
 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1-2 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 1 of 2
-65HY &,9,/&29(56+((7
7KH-6FLYLOFRYHUVKHHWDQGWKHLQIRUPDWLRQFRQWDLQHGKHUHLQQHLWKHUUHSODFHQRUVXSSOHPHQWWKHILOLQJDQGVHUYLFHRISOHDGLQJVRURWKHUSDSHUVDVUHTXLUHGE\ODZH[FHSWDV
SURYLGHGE\ORFDOUXOHVRIFRXUW7KLVIRUPDSSURYHGE\WKH-XGLFLDO&RQIHUHQFHRIWKH8QLWHG6WDWHVLQ6HSWHPEHULVUHTXLUHGIRUWKHXVHRIWKH&OHUNRI&RXUWIRUWKH
SXUSRVHRILQLWLDWLQJWKHFLYLOGRFNHWVKHHW(SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM.)

, D 3/$,17,))6 '()(1'$176
MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA, INC. TRI-ACE WHEEL & TIRE CORPORATION

E&RXQW\RI5HVLGHQFHRI)LUVW/LVWHG3ODLQWLII &RXQW\RI5HVLGHQFHRI)LUVW/LVWHG'HIHQGDQW
(EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) (IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
127( ,1/$1'&21'(01$7,21&$6(686(7+(/2&$7,212)
7+(75$&72)/$1',192/9('

F$WWRUQH\V(Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Number) $WWRUQH\V(If Known)
Domingo M. LLagostera, Blank Rome, LLP, 717 Texas Ave., Suite 1400,
Houston, TX 77002, phone: 713-632-8682,
Email: DLLagostera@BlankRome.com

,,%$6,62)-85,6',&7,21(Place an “X” in One Box Only) ,,,&,7,=(16+,32)35,1&,3$/3$57,(6 (Place an “X” in One Box for Plaintiff
(For Diversity Cases Only) and One Box for Defendant)
u  86*RYHUQPHQW u  )HGHUDO4XHVWLRQ 37) '() 37) '()
3ODLQWLII (U.S. Government Not a Party) &LWL]HQRI7KLV6WDWH u  u  ,QFRUSRUDWHGor3ULQFLSDO3ODFH u  u 
RI%XVLQHVV,Q7KLV6WDWH

u  86*RYHUQPHQW u  'LYHUVLW\ &LWL]HQRI$QRWKHU6WDWH u  u  ,QFRUSRUDWHGand3ULQFLSDO3ODFH u  u 

'HIHQGDQW (Indicate Citizenship of Parties in Item III) RI%XVLQHVV,Q$QRWKHU6WDWH

&LWL]HQRU6XEMHFWRID u  u  )RUHLJQ1DWLRQ u  u 
)RUHLJQ&RXQWU\
,91$785(2)68,7(Place an “X” in One Box Only) &OLFNKHUHIRU1DWXUHRI6XLW&RGH'HVFULSWLRQV
&2175$&7 72576 )25)(,785(3(1$/7< %$1.5837&< 27+(567$787(6
u ,QVXUDQFH 3(5621$/,1-85< 3(5621$/,1-85< u 'UXJ5HODWHG6HL]XUH u $SSHDO86& u )DOVH&ODLPV$FW
u 0DULQH u $LUSODQH u 3HUVRQDO,QMXU\ RI3URSHUW\86& u :LWKGUDZDO u 4XL7DP86&
u 0LOOHU$FW u $LUSODQH3URGXFW 3URGXFW/LDELOLW\ u 2WKHU 86& D
u 1HJRWLDEOH,QVWUXPHQW /LDELOLW\ u +HDOWK&DUH u 6WDWH5HDSSRUWLRQPHQW
u 5HFRYHU\RI2YHUSD\PHQW u $VVDXOW/LEHO 3KDUPDFHXWLFDO 3523(57<5,*+76 u $QWLWUXVW
 (QIRUFHPHQWRI-XGJPHQW 6ODQGHU 3HUVRQDO,QMXU\ u &RS\ULJKWV u %DQNVDQG%DQNLQJ
u 0HGLFDUH$FW u )HGHUDO(PSOR\HUV¶ 3URGXFW/LDELOLW\ u 3DWHQW u &RPPHUFH
u 5HFRYHU\RI'HIDXOWHG /LDELOLW\ u $VEHVWRV3HUVRQDO u 3DWHQW$EEUHYLDWHG u 'HSRUWDWLRQ
6WXGHQW/RDQV u 0DULQH ,QMXU\3URGXFW 1HZ'UXJ$SSOLFDWLRQ u 5DFNHWHHU,QIOXHQFHGDQG
([FOXGHV9HWHUDQV u 0DULQH3URGXFW /LDELOLW\ u 7UDGHPDUN &RUUXSW2UJDQL]DWLRQV
u 5HFRYHU\RI2YHUSD\PHQW /LDELOLW\ 3(5621$/3523(57< /$%25 62&,$/6(&85,7< u &RQVXPHU&UHGLW
RI9HWHUDQ¶V%HQHILWV u 0RWRU9HKLFOH u 2WKHU)UDXG u )DLU/DERU6WDQGDUGV u +,$II 86&RU
u 6WRFNKROGHUV¶6XLWV u 0RWRU9HKLFOH u 7UXWKLQ/HQGLQJ $FW u %ODFN/XQJ u 7HOHSKRQH&RQVXPHU
u 2WKHU&RQWUDFW 3URGXFW/LDELOLW\ u 2WKHU3HUVRQDO u /DERU0DQDJHPHQW u ',:&',::J 3URWHFWLRQ$FW
u &RQWUDFW3URGXFW/LDELOLW\ u 2WKHU3HUVRQDO 3URSHUW\'DPDJH 5HODWLRQV u 66,'7LWOH;9, u &DEOH6DW79
u )UDQFKLVH ,QMXU\
u 3HUVRQDO,QMXU\
0HGLFDO0DOSUDFWLFH
5($/3523(57< &,9,/5,*+76
u /DQG&RQGHPQDWLRQ u 2WKHU&LYLO5LJKWV
u 3URSHUW\'DPDJH u 5DLOZD\/DERU$FW u 56,J u 6HFXULWLHV&RPPRGLWLHV
3URGXFW/LDELOLW\ u )DPLO\DQG0HGLFDO ([FKDQJH
/HDYH$FW u 2WKHU6WDWXWRU\$FWLRQV
35,621(53(7,7,216 u 2WKHU/DERU/LWLJDWLRQ )('(5$/7$;68,76 u $JULFXOWXUDO$FWV
+DEHDV&RUSXV u (PSOR\HH5HWLUHPHQW u 7D[HV863ODLQWLII u (QYLURQPHQWDO0DWWHUV
u )RUHFORVXUH u 9RWLQJ u $OLHQ'HWDLQHH ,QFRPH6HFXULW\$FW RU'HIHQGDQW u )UHHGRPRI,QIRUPDWLRQ
u 5HQW/HDVH (MHFWPHQW u (PSOR\PHQW u 0RWLRQVWR9DFDWH u ,56²7KLUG3DUW\ $FW
u 7RUWVWR/DQG u +RXVLQJ 6HQWHQFH 86& u $UELWUDWLRQ
u 7RUW3URGXFW/LDELOLW\ $FFRPPRGDWLRQV u *HQHUDO u $GPLQLVWUDWLYH3URFHGXUH
u $OO2WKHU5HDO3URSHUW\ u $PHUZ'LVDELOLWLHV u 'HDWK3HQDOW\ ,00,*5$7,21 $FW5HYLHZRU$SSHDORI
(PSOR\PHQW 2WKHU u 1DWXUDOL]DWLRQ$SSOLFDWLRQ $JHQF\'HFLVLRQ
u $PHUZ'LVDELOLWLHV u 0DQGDPXV 2WKHU u 2WKHU,PPLJUDWLRQ u &RQVWLWXWLRQDOLW\RI
2WKHU u &LYLO5LJKWV $FWLRQV 6WDWH6WDWXWHV
u (GXFDWLRQ u 3ULVRQ&RQGLWLRQ
u &LYLO'HWDLQHH
&RQGLWLRQVRI
&RQILQHPHQW
925,*,1(Place an “X” in One Box Only)
u  2ULJLQDO u  5HPRYHGIURP u  5HPDQGHGIURP u  5HLQVWDWHGRU u  7UDQVIHUUHGIURP
u  0XOWLGLVWULFW u 0XOWLGLVWULFW
3URFHHGLQJ 6WDWH&RXUW $SSHOODWH&RXUW 5HRSHQHG $QRWKHU'LVWULFW /LWLJDWLRQ /LWLJDWLRQ
(specify) 7UDQVIHU 'LUHFW)LOH
&LWHWKH86&LYLO6WDWXWHXQGHUZKLFK\RXDUHILOLQJ(Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity)
9,&$86(2)$&7,21 35 U.S.C. § 101 et seq., 28 U.S.C. § 1331, 28 U.S.C. § 1338(a)
%ULHIGHVFULSWLRQRIFDXVH
Patent Infringement
9,,5(48(67(',1 u &+(&.,)7+,6,6$&/$66$&7,21 '(0$1' &+(&.<(6RQO\LIGHPDQGHGLQFRPSODLQW
&203/$,17 81'(558/()5&Y3 -85<'(0$1' u <HV u 1R
9,,,5(/$7('&$6(6
(See instructions):
,)$1< -8'*( '2&.(7180%(5
'$7( 6,*1$785(2)$77251(<2)5(&25'
12/17/2019 /s/ Domingo M. LLagostera
)252)),&(86(21/<

5(&(,37 $02817 $33/<,1*,)3 -8'*( 0$*-8'*(

 Case 4:19-cv-04884 Document 1-2 Filed on 12/17/19 in TXSD Page 2 of 2
-65HYHUVH5HY

,16758&7,216)25$77251(<6&203/(7,1*&,9,/&29(56+((7)250-6
$XWKRULW\)RU&LYLO&RYHU6KHHW

7KH-6FLYLOFRYHUVKHHWDQGWKHLQIRUPDWLRQFRQWDLQHGKHUHLQQHLWKHUUHSODFHVQRUVXSSOHPHQWVWKHILOLQJVDQGVHUYLFHRISOHDGLQJRURWKHUSDSHUVDV
UHTXLUHGE\ODZH[FHSWDVSURYLGHGE\ORFDOUXOHVRIFRXUW7KLVIRUPDSSURYHGE\WKH-XGLFLDO&RQIHUHQFHRIWKH8QLWHG6WDWHVLQ6HSWHPEHULV
UHTXLUHGIRUWKHXVHRIWKH&OHUNRI&RXUWIRUWKHSXUSRVHRILQLWLDWLQJWKHFLYLOGRFNHWVKHHW&RQVHTXHQWO\DFLYLOFRYHUVKHHWLVVXEPLWWHGWRWKH&OHUNRI
&RXUWIRUHDFKFLYLOFRPSODLQWILOHG7KHDWWRUQH\ILOLQJDFDVHVKRXOGFRPSOHWHWKHIRUPDVIROORZV

,D 3ODLQWLIIV'HIHQGDQWV(QWHUQDPHVODVWILUVWPLGGOHLQLWLDORISODLQWLIIDQGGHIHQGDQW,IWKHSODLQWLIIRUGHIHQGDQWLVDJRYHUQPHQWDJHQF\XVH

RQO\WKHIXOOQDPHRUVWDQGDUGDEEUHYLDWLRQV,IWKHSODLQWLIIRUGHIHQGDQWLVDQRIILFLDOZLWKLQDJRYHUQPHQWDJHQF\LGHQWLI\ILUVWWKHDJHQF\DQG
WKHQWKHRIILFLDOJLYLQJERWKQDPHDQGWLWOH
E &RXQW\RI5HVLGHQFH)RUHDFKFLYLOFDVHILOHGH[FHSW86SODLQWLIIFDVHVHQWHUWKHQDPHRIWKHFRXQW\ZKHUHWKHILUVWOLVWHGSODLQWLIIUHVLGHVDWWKH
WLPHRIILOLQJ,Q86SODLQWLIIFDVHVHQWHUWKHQDPHRIWKHFRXQW\LQZKLFKWKHILUVWOLVWHGGHIHQGDQWUHVLGHVDWWKHWLPHRIILOLQJ127(,QODQG
FRQGHPQDWLRQFDVHVWKHFRXQW\RIUHVLGHQFHRIWKHGHIHQGDQWLVWKHORFDWLRQRIWKHWUDFWRIODQGLQYROYHG
F $WWRUQH\V(QWHUWKHILUPQDPHDGGUHVVWHOHSKRQHQXPEHUDQGDWWRUQH\RIUHFRUG,IWKHUHDUHVHYHUDODWWRUQH\VOLVWWKHPRQDQDWWDFKPHQWQRWLQJ
LQWKLVVHFWLRQVHHDWWDFKPHQW

,, -XULVGLFWLRQ7KHEDVLVRIMXULVGLFWLRQLVVHWIRUWKXQGHU5XOHD)5&Y3ZKLFKUHTXLUHVWKDWMXULVGLFWLRQVEHVKRZQLQSOHDGLQJV3ODFHDQ;

LQRQHRIWKHER[HV,IWKHUHLVPRUHWKDQRQHEDVLVRIMXULVGLFWLRQSUHFHGHQFHLVJLYHQLQWKHRUGHUVKRZQEHORZ
8QLWHG6WDWHVSODLQWLII-XULVGLFWLRQEDVHGRQ86&DQG6XLWVE\DJHQFLHVDQGRIILFHUVRIWKH8QLWHG6WDWHVDUHLQFOXGHGKHUH
8QLWHG6WDWHVGHIHQGDQW:KHQWKHSODLQWLIILVVXLQJWKH8QLWHG6WDWHVLWVRIILFHUVRUDJHQFLHVSODFHDQ;LQWKLVER[
)HGHUDOTXHVWLRQ7KLVUHIHUVWRVXLWVXQGHU86&ZKHUHMXULVGLFWLRQDULVHVXQGHUWKH&RQVWLWXWLRQRIWKH8QLWHG6WDWHVDQDPHQGPHQW
WRWKH&RQVWLWXWLRQDQDFWRI&RQJUHVVRUDWUHDW\RIWKH8QLWHG6WDWHV,QFDVHVZKHUHWKH86LVDSDUW\WKH86SODLQWLIIRUGHIHQGDQWFRGHWDNHV
SUHFHGHQFHDQGER[RUVKRXOGEHPDUNHG
'LYHUVLW\RIFLWL]HQVKLS7KLVUHIHUVWRVXLWVXQGHU86&ZKHUHSDUWLHVDUHFLWL]HQVRIGLIIHUHQWVWDWHV:KHQ%R[LVFKHFNHGWKH
FLWL]HQVKLSRIWKHGLIIHUHQWSDUWLHVPXVWEHFKHFNHG6HH6HFWLRQ,,,EHORZ127(IHGHUDOTXHVWLRQDFWLRQVWDNHSUHFHGHQFHRYHUGLYHUVLW\
FDVHV

,,, 5HVLGHQFHFLWL]HQVKLSRI3ULQFLSDO3DUWLHV7KLVVHFWLRQRIWKH-6LVWREHFRPSOHWHGLIGLYHUVLW\RIFLWL]HQVKLSZDVLQGLFDWHGDERYH0DUNWKLV

VHFWLRQIRUHDFKSULQFLSDOSDUW\

,9 1DWXUHRI6XLW3ODFHDQ;LQWKHDSSURSULDWHER[,IWKHUHDUHPXOWLSOHQDWXUHRIVXLWFRGHVDVVRFLDWHGZLWKWKHFDVHSLFNWKHQDWXUHRIVXLWFRGH
WKDWLVPRVWDSSOLFDEOH&OLFNKHUHIRU1DWXUHRI6XLW&RGH'HVFULSWLRQV

9 2ULJLQ3ODFHDQ;LQRQHRIWKHVHYHQER[HV
2ULJLQDO3URFHHGLQJV&DVHVZKLFKRULJLQDWHLQWKH8QLWHG6WDWHVGLVWULFWFRXUWV
5HPRYHGIURP6WDWH&RXUW3URFHHGLQJVLQLWLDWHGLQVWDWHFRXUWVPD\EHUHPRYHGWRWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWVXQGHU7LWOH86&6HFWLRQ
5HPDQGHGIURP$SSHOODWH&RXUW&KHFNWKLVER[IRUFDVHVUHPDQGHGWRWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWIRUIXUWKHUDFWLRQ8VHWKHGDWHRIUHPDQGDVWKHILOLQJ
GDWH
5HLQVWDWHGRU5HRSHQHG&KHFNWKLVER[IRUFDVHVUHLQVWDWHGRUUHRSHQHGLQWKHGLVWULFWFRXUW8VHWKHUHRSHQLQJGDWHDVWKHILOLQJGDWH
7UDQVIHUUHGIURP$QRWKHU'LVWULFW)RUFDVHVWUDQVIHUUHGXQGHU7LWOH86&6HFWLRQD'RQRWXVHWKLVIRUZLWKLQGLVWULFWWUDQVIHUVRU
PXOWLGLVWULFWOLWLJDWLRQWUDQVIHUV
0XOWLGLVWULFW/LWLJDWLRQ±7UDQVIHU&KHFNWKLVER[ZKHQDPXOWLGLVWULFWFDVHLVWUDQVIHUUHGLQWRWKHGLVWULFWXQGHUDXWKRULW\RI7LWOH86&
6HFWLRQ
0XOWLGLVWULFW/LWLJDWLRQ±'LUHFW)LOH&KHFNWKLVER[ZKHQDPXOWLGLVWULFWFDVHLVILOHGLQWKHVDPHGLVWULFWDVWKH0DVWHU0'/GRFNHW
3/($6(127(7+$77+(5(,6127$125,*,1&2'(2ULJLQ&RGHZDVXVHGIRUKLVWRULFDOUHFRUGVDQGLVQRORQJHUUHOHYDQWGXHWR
FKDQJHVLQVWDWXH

9, &DXVHRI$FWLRQ5HSRUWWKHFLYLOVWDWXWHGLUHFWO\UHODWHGWRWKHFDXVHRIDFWLRQDQGJLYHDEULHIGHVFULSWLRQRIWKHFDXVH'RQRWFLWHMXULVGLFWLRQDO
VWDWXWHVXQOHVVGLYHUVLW\([DPSOH86&LYLO6WDWXWH86&%ULHI'HVFULSWLRQ8QDXWKRUL]HGUHFHSWLRQRIFDEOHVHUYLFH

9,, 5HTXHVWHGLQ&RPSODLQW&ODVV$FWLRQ3ODFHDQ;LQWKLVER[LI\RXDUHILOLQJDFODVVDFWLRQXQGHU5XOH)5&Y3
'HPDQG,QWKLVVSDFHHQWHUWKHDFWXDOGROODUDPRXQWEHLQJGHPDQGHGRULQGLFDWHRWKHUGHPDQGVXFKDVDSUHOLPLQDU\LQMXQFWLRQ
-XU\'HPDQG&KHFNWKHDSSURSULDWHER[WRLQGLFDWHZKHWKHURUQRWDMXU\LVEHLQJGHPDQGHG

9,,, 5HODWHG&DVHV7KLVVHFWLRQRIWKH-6LVXVHGWRUHIHUHQFHUHODWHGSHQGLQJFDVHVLIDQ\,IWKHUHDUHUHODWHGSHQGLQJFDVHVLQVHUWWKHGRFNHW
QXPEHUVDQGWKHFRUUHVSRQGLQJMXGJHQDPHVIRUVXFKFDVHV

'DWHDQG$WWRUQH\6LJQDWXUH'DWHDQGVLJQWKHFLYLOFRYHUVKHHW