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`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
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`EXPRESS MOBILE, INC.
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`GODADDY.COM, LLC
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`
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`v.
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`Plaintiff,
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`Defendant.
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`)
`)
`)
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`)
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`)
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`Civil Action No. _______________
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`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
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`COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT
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`Plaintiff Express Mobile, Inc. (“Express Mobile” or “Plaintiff”), by its attorneys, demands
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`a trial by jury on all issues so triable and for its Complaint against Defendant GoDaddy.com, LLC
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`(“GoDaddy” or “Defendant”) alleges the following:
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`NATURE OF THE ACTION
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`1.
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`This action arises under 35 U.S.C. § 271 for GoDaddy’s infringement of Express
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`Mobile’s United States Patent Nos. 6,546,397 (“the ’397 patent”), 7,594,168 (“the ’168 patent”),
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`9,063,755 (“the ’755 patent”), 9,471,287 (“the ’287 patent”), and 9,928,044 (“the ’044 patent”)
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`(collectively the “Patents-In-Suit”).
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`THE PARTIES
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`2.
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`Plaintiff Express Mobile, Inc. is an inventor-owned corporation organized under
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`the laws of the State of Delaware with a place of business at 38 Washington Street, Novato, CA
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`94947.
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`3.
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`Upon information and belief, GoDaddy.com, LLC is a corporation organized and
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`existing under the laws of Delaware, with a place of business at 14455 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale,
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`AZ 85260. GoDaddy may be served through its registered agent for service, The Corporation
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`Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.
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`
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 2 of 57 PageID #: 2
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`4.
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`Upon information and belief, GoDaddy provides website building, hosting, and
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`marketing services to millions of customers, including both businesses and individuals.
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`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
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`5.
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`This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action pursuant to 28
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`U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a).
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`6.
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`On information and belief, jurisdiction and venue for this action are proper in the
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`District of Delaware.
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`7.
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`This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant because it has purposefully
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`availed itself of the rights and benefits of the laws of this State and this Judicial District. On
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`information and belief, Defendant is organized and existing under the laws of Delaware. This
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`Court also has personal jurisdiction over Defendant because it has done and is doing substantial
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`business in this Judicial District, both generally and, on information and belief, with respect to the
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`allegations in this complaint, including Defendant’s one or more acts of infringement in this
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`Judicial District.
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`8.
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`Venue is proper in this Judicial District under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391(b) and (c) and
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`§ 1400(b).
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`THE PATENTS-IN-SUIT
`
`9.
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`Plaintiff is the lawful owner of all rights, title, and interest in United States Patent
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`No. 6,546,397 entitled “Browser Based Web Site Generation Tool and Run Time Engine,”
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`including the right to sue and to recover for infringement thereof. The ’397 patent was duly and
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`legally issued on April 8, 2003, naming Steven H. Rempell as the inventor. A true and correct
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`copy of the ’397 patent is attached as Exhibit A.
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`2
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 3 of 57 PageID #: 3
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`10.
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`The inventions of the ’397 patent solve technical problems related to website
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`creation and generation. For example, the inventions enable the creation of websites through
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`browser-based visual editing tools such as selectable settings panels which describe website
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`elements, with one or more settings corresponding to commands. These features are exclusively
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`implemented utilizing computer technology including a virtual machine.
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`11.
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`The claims of the ’397 patent do not merely recite the performance of some pre-
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`Internet business practice on the Internet. Instead, the claims of the ’397 patent recite inventive
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`concepts that are rooted in computerized website creation technology, and overcome problems
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`specifically arising in the realm of computerized website creation technologies.
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`12.
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`The claims of the ’397 patent recite inventions that are not merely the routine or
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`conventional use of website creation systems and methods. Instead, the inventions teach a
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`browser-based website creation system and method in which the user-selected settings
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`representing website elements are stored in a database, and in which said stored information is
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`retrieved to generate said website.
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`13.
`
`The technology claimed in the ’397 patent does not preempt all ways of using
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`website or web page authoring tools nor any other well-known prior art technology.
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`14.
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`Accordingly, each claim of the ’397 patent recites a combination of elements
`
`sufficient to ensure that the claim amounts to significantly more than a patent on an ineligible
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`concept.
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`15.
`
`In Case No. 3:18-CV-04679-RS, a case filed in the Northern District of California,
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`the defendant in that action, Code and Theory LLC, brought a Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff’s
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`Complaint asserting that the ’397 patent and U.S. Patent No. 7,594,168 (asserted in Count II below)
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`are not subject matter eligible under 35 U.S.C. § 101 as a matter of law. (Case No. 3:18-CV-
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`3
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`
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 4 of 57 PageID #: 4
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`04679-RS Dkt.35). Subsequent briefing included Plaintiff Express Mobile, Inc.’s Opposition to
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`Defendant Code and Theory LLC’s Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff’s Complaint (Case No. 3:18-CV-
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`04679-RS Dkt.40), and Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff’s Complaint [sic] (Case No. 3:18-CV-04679-
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`RS Dkt.41). Each of those filings is incorporated by reference into this Complaint.
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`16.
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`In C.A. 2:17-00128, a case filed in the Eastern District of Texas, the defendant in
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`that action, KTree Computer Solutions brought a Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings asserting
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`that the ’397 patent and U.S. Patent No. 7,594,168 (asserted in Count II below) were invalid as
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`claiming abstract subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101. (C.A. 2:17-00128 Dkt. 9.) Subsequent
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`briefing included Plaintiff’s Response and related Declarations and Exhibits (C.A. 2:17-00128
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`Dkt. 17, 22-24), KTree’s Reply (C.A. 2:17-00128 Dkt. 25), and Plaintiff’s Sur-Reply and related
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`Declarations and Exhibits (C.A. 2:17-00128 Dkt. 26-27). Each of those filings is incorporated by
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`reference into this Complaint.
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`17.
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`After a consideration of the respective pleadings, Magistrate Judge Payne
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`recommended denial of KTree’s motion, without prejudice, holding that “the claims appear to
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`address a problem particular to the internet: dynamically generating websites and displaying web
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`pages based on stored user-selected settings” and further stating “the asserted claims do not bear
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`all of the hallmarks of claims that have been invalidated on the pleadings by other courts in the
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`past. For example, the claims are not merely do-it-on-a-computer claims.” (Dkt. 29, attached as
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`Exhibit F.) No objection was filed to the Magistrate Judge’s report and recommendation and the
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`decision therefore became final.
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`18.
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`In Case No. 3:18-CV-04688-RS, a case filed in the Northern District of California,
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`the defendant in that action, Pantheon Systems, Inc. brought a Motion to Dismiss Counts I and II
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`of Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint asserting that the ’397 patent and U.S. Patent No.
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`4
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`
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 5 of 57 PageID #: 5
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`7,594,168 (asserted in Count II below) were directed to the abstract idea of creating and displaying
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`webpages based upon information from a user with no further inventive concept and purportedly
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`ineligible for patenting under 35 U.S.C. § 101 (“§ 101”). (Case No. 3:18-CV-04688-RS Dkt.26)
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`Subsequent briefing included Plaintiff’s Answering Brief in Opposition of Defendant’s Motion to
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`Dismiss (Case No. 3:18-CV-04688-RS Dkt.32), and Reply in Support of Defendant’s Motion to
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`Dismiss Counts I and II of Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint (Case No. 3:18-CV-04688-RS
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`Dkt.34). Each of those filings is incorporated by reference into this Complaint.
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`19.
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`After a motion hearing and a consideration of the respective pleadings, Hon.
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`Richard Seeborg denied both motions holding that “it simply cannot be said on the present record
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`that the claims are drawn so broadly as to be divorced from the potentially patent-eligible purported
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`technological improvements described in the specification” and further stating “the patents here
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`are directed at a purportedly revolutionary technological solution to a technological problem—
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`how to create webpages for the internet in a manner that permits “what you see is what you get”
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`editing, and a number of other alleged improvements over the then-existing methodologies.” (Case
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`No. 3:18-CV-04679-RS Dkt.45; Case No. 3:18-CV-04688-RS Dkt.40; attached as Exhibit G.)
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`20.
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`Plaintiff is the lawful owner of all rights, title, and interest in United States Patent
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`No. 7,594,168 entitled “Browser Based Web Site Generation Tool and Run Time Engine,”
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`including the right to sue and to recover for infringement thereof. The ’168 patent was duly and
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`legally issued on September 22, 2009, naming Steven H. Rempell as the inventor. A true and
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`correct copy of the ’168 patent is attached as Exhibit B.
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`21.
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`The inventions of the ’168 patent solve technical problems related to website
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`creation and generation. For example, the inventions enable the creation of websites through
`
`5
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 6 of 57 PageID #: 6
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`browser-based build tools and a user interface. These features are exclusively implemented
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`utilizing computer technology.
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`22.
`
`The claims of the ’168 patent do not merely recite the performance of some pre-
`
`Internet business practice on the Internet. Instead, the claims of the ’168 patent recite inventive
`
`concepts that are rooted in computerized website creation technology, and overcome problems
`
`specifically arising in the realm of computerized website creation technologies.
`
`23.
`
`The claims of the ’168 patent recite inventions that are not merely the routine or
`
`conventional use of website creation systems and methods. Instead, the inventions teach a
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`browser-based website creation system including a server comprising a build engine configured to
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`create and apply styles to, for example, a website with web pages comprised of objects.
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`24.
`
`The technology claimed in the ’168 patent does not preempt all ways of using
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`website or web page authoring tools nor any other well-known or prior art technology.
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`25.
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`Accordingly, each claim of the ’168 patent recites a combination of elements
`
`sufficient to ensure that the claim amounts to significantly more than a patent on an ineligible
`
`concept.
`
`26.
`
`Plaintiff is the lawful owner of all rights, title, and interest in United States Patent
`
`No. 9,063,755 entitled “Systems and methods for presenting information on mobile devices,”
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`including the right to sue and to recover for infringement thereof. The ’755 Patent was duly and
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`legally issued on June 23, 2015, naming Steven H. Rempell, David Chrobak and Ken Brown as
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`the inventors. A true and correct copy of the ’755 patent is attached as Exhibit C.
`
`27.
`
`The inventions of the ’755 patent solve technical problems related to a system for
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`generating code to provide content on a display of a device. For example, the inventions of the
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`’755 patent produce and deliver code in the form of players and applications to devices. The
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`6
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 7 of 57 PageID #: 7
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`players and applications then display information received from a web service. These features are
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`exclusively implemented utilizing computer technology.
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`28.
`
`The claims of the ’755 patent do not merely recite the performance of some pre-
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`Internet business practice on the Internet. Instead, the claims of the ’755 patent recite inventive
`
`concepts that are rooted in the computerized generation of content on a display of a device, such
`
`as a mobile device, and overcome problems specifically arising in the realm of computerized
`
`content generation and display technologies.
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`29.
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`The claims of the ’755 patent recite inventions that are not merely the routine or
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`conventional use of systems and methods for the computerized generation of content on a display
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`of a device. Instead, the inventions feature systems for use with devices and methods of using the
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`systems with authoring tools to produce Players specific to each device and Applications that are
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`device independent.
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`30.
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`The technology claimed in the ’755 patent does not preempt all ways for the
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`computerized generation of code for a display of a device nor any other well-known or prior art
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`technology.
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`31.
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`Accordingly, each claim of the ’755 patent recites a combination of elements
`
`sufficient to ensure that the claim amounts to significantly more than a patent on an ineligible
`
`concept.
`
`32.
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`Plaintiff is the lawful owner of all rights, title, and interest in United States Patent
`
`No. 9,471,287 entitled “Systems and Methods for Integrating Widgets on Mobile Devices,”
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`including the right to sue and to recover for infringement thereof. The ’287 patent was duly and
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`legally issued on October 18, 2016, naming Steven H. Rempell, David Chrobak and Ken Brown
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`as the inventors. A true and correct copy of the ’287 patent is attached as Exhibit D.
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`7
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 8 of 57 PageID #: 8
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`33.
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`The inventions of the ’287 patent solve technical problems related to generating
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`content on a display of a device, such as the display of a mobile device. For example, the
`
`inventions of the ’287 patent define a User Interface (“UI”) object, either selected by a user or
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`selected automatically, for display on the device. The inventions of the ’287 patent also produce
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`and deliver code in the form of players and applications to devices. The players and applications
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`then display information received from a web service. These features are exclusively implemented
`
`utilizing computer technology.
`
`34.
`
`The claims of the ’287 patent do not merely recite the performance of some pre-
`
`Internet business practice on the Internet. Instead, the claims of the ’287 patent recite inventive
`
`concepts that are rooted in the computerized generation of content on a display of a device, such
`
`as a mobile device, and overcome problems specifically arising in the realm of computerized
`
`display content generation technologies.
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`35.
`
`The claims of the ’287 patent recite inventions that are not merely the routine or
`
`conventional use of systems and methods for the computerized generation of content on a display
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`of a device. Instead, the inventions feature systems for use with devices and methods of using the
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`systems with authoring tools to produce Players specific to each device and Applications that are
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`device independent.
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`36.
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`The technology claimed in the ’287 patent does not preempt all ways for the
`
`computerized generation of content on a display of a device nor any other well-known or prior art
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`technology.
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`37.
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`Accordingly, each claim of the ’287 patent recites a combination of elements
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`sufficient to ensure that the claim amounts to significantly more than a patent on an ineligible
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`concept.
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`8
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 9 of 57 PageID #: 9
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`38.
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`Plaintiff is the lawful owner of all rights, title, and interest in United States Patent
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`No. 9,928,044 entitled “Systems and Methods for Programming Mobile Devices,” including the
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`right to sue and to recover for infringement thereof. The ’044 patent was duly and legally issued
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`on March 27, 2018, naming Steven H. Rempell, David Chrobak and Ken Brown as the inventors.
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`A true and correct copy of the ’044 patent is attached as Exhibit E.
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`39.
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`The inventions of the ’044 patent solve technical problems related to generating
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`and distributing programming to mobile devices over a network. For example, the inventions of
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`the ’044 patent define a User Interface (“UI”) object, either selected by a user or selected
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`automatically, for display on the device. The inventions of the ’044 patent also produce and deliver
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`code in the form of players and applications which include web page views. The players and
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`applications then display information received from a web service. These features are exclusively
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`implemented utilizing computer technology.
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`40.
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`The claims of the ’044 patent do not merely recite the performance of some pre-
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`Internet business practice on the Internet. Instead, the claims of the ’044 patent recite inventive
`
`concepts that are rooted in the computerized generation of content on a display of a device, such
`
`as a mobile device, and overcome problems specifically arising in the realm of computerized
`
`display content generation technologies.
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`41.
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`The claims of the ’044 patent recite inventions that are not merely the routine or
`
`conventional use of systems and methods for the computerized generation of content on a display
`
`of a device. Instead, the inventions feature systems for use with devices and methods of using the
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`systems with authoring tools to generate and distribute application and player code that generate
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`displays on a device, such as a mobile device, utilizing information stored in databases and
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`retrieved from web services.
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`9
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 10 of 57 PageID #: 10
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`42.
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`The technology claimed in the ’044 patent does not preempt all ways for the
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`computerized generation and distribution of programming to a device nor any other well-known
`
`or prior art technology.
`
`43.
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`Accordingly, each claim of the ’044 patent recites a combination of elements
`
`sufficient to ensure that the claim amounts to significantly more than a patent on an ineligible
`
`concept.
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`BACKGROUND
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`44.
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`Plaintiff Express Mobile is a leader in the business of developing mobile app and
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`web site design and creation platforms, and has intellectual property including U.S. patents relating
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`to certain tools useful in the field. Express Mobile is managed by individuals with many years of
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`technology and business experience. The CEO of Express Mobile, Steve Rempell, is the inventor
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`of Express Mobile’s patent portfolio. Mr. Rempell has over 50 years’ experience in technology
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`companies, with much of that work focused on web-based technologies and applications.
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`45.
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`Defendant GoDaddy is a well-known company that provides website building,
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`hosting, and marketing services to businesses as well as individuals. GoDaddy has grown rapidly
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`and now generates billions of dollars of revenue per year.
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`46.
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`Using the technology claimed by the Patents-In-Suit, GoDaddy’s Website Builder
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`and WordPress Websites (the “Accused Instrumentalities”) build, host, and market websites for
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`GoDaddy’s customers by letting the customers select settings representing website elements,
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`storing these settings in a database, and retrieving stored information to generate websites. The
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`Accused Instrumentalities also generate code in the form of players and applications that can
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`interact with web services to provide content for display on users’ devices.
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`10
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 11 of 57 PageID #: 11
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`47.
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` The Accused Instrumentalities enable a user to produce a website through a
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`browser on the user’s computer that interacts with the server facility and platform hosted by
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`GoDaddy. That website is then viewable by other users with a browser, including Microsoft
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`Internet Explorer and Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and Google Chrome. All of these well-
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`known modern browsers rely on engines that fit the definition of a virtual machine, which
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`interprets and executes JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and other code, to render web pages on a
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`computer. These engines include, but are not limited to, JavaScript engines such as Chrome V8
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`(Chrome), SpiderMonkey (Firefox), JavaScriptCore (Safari), and Chakra (Edge), as well as
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`browser engines such as Webkit (Safari), Gecko (Safari), and Blink (Chrome).
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`COUNT I – INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 6,546,397
`
`48.
`
`Plaintiff incorporates by reference the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 to 47
`
`above.
`
`49.
`
`Defendant GoDaddy has manufactured, used, offered for sale, or sold browser-
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`based website building tools that infringe, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, one
`
`or more claims of the ’397 patent in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(a). Defendant’s infringement
`
`will continue unless enjoined by this Court.
`
`50.
`
`On information and belief, GoDaddy has and continue to directly infringe at least
`
`claim 1 of the ’397 patent through its Accused Instrumentalities that provide browser-based
`
`website authoring tools in which the user-selected settings representing website elements are
`
`stored in a database, and in which said stored information is retrieved to generate said website.
`
`51.
`
`For example, GoDaddy infringes at least claim 1 of the ’397 patent by presenting a
`
`viewable menu having a user selectable panel of settings (e.g., font size) describing elements on a
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`web site, said panel of settings being presented through a browser on a computer adapted to accept
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`11
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 12 of 57 PageID #: 12
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`one or more of said selectable settings in said panel as inputs therefrom, and where at least one of
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`said user selectable settings in said panel corresponds to commands to said virtual machine.
`
`52.
`
`The user selectable settings correspond to commands to the virtual machine. For
`
`example, in the viewable menu above, one of the user selected settings is the font size of the tagline
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`“Helping you design success!” That setting corresponds to the commands to a virtual machine
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`(e.g., font-size) to display the text in the selected size (e.g., 22px for medium size and 28px for
`
`
`
`large).
`
`53.
`
`The Accused Instrumentalities generating a display (e.g., preview) in accordance
`
`with one or more user selected settings substantially contemporaneously with the selection thereof.
`
`For example, as shown below when the font-size (e.g., large font) is changed in the panel of
`
`settings, GoDaddy’s Website Builder generates the display substantially contemporaneously with
`
`
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`the selection.
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`
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`12
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 13 of 57 PageID #: 13
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`54.
`
`On information and belief, the Accused Instrumentalities use a database to store
`
`information representative of the user selected settings. For example, the presence of a database
`
`(or databases) in GoDaddy’s Website Builder is evidenced by, among other things, the saving of
`
`the user selectable settings formatted in JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) to the backend server.
`
`As seen below, shortly after a user selects a new text size for the tagline “Helping you design
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`success!” GoDaddy’s Website Builder processes and saves the settings formatted in JSON. JSON
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`is a data
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`format
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`frequently used
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`to
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`store and query databases.
`
` See, e.g.,
`
`https://www.infoworld.com/article/3222851/what-is-json-javascript-object-notation-
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`explained.html. Other user selected settings stored include theme, cover image, accent, alignment,
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`font, logo, among others.
`
`55.
`
`A further example of the Accused Instrumentalities using a database to store
`
`information representative of the user selected settings is found in GoDaddy’s Managed
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`WordPress database. See, e.g., https://www.godaddy.com/help/view-my-database-details-24574.
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`
`
`
`
`56.
`
`The Accused Instrumentalities generate a website by retrieving information
`
`representative of user selected settings stored in GoDaddy’s database. For example, GoDaddy’s
`
`13
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`
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 14 of 57 PageID #: 14
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`Website Builder generates the website below including the tagline “Helping you design success!”
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`by retrieving the user selected font size setting from a database.
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`
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`57.
`
`The Accused Instrumentalities build one or more web pages of the website from
`
`the information in the database and at least one run time file. For example, GoDaddy’s Website
`
`Builder builds the web page shown above using information from the database (e.g., tagline, font
`
`size) and a number of run time files, including HTML, JavaScript, PHP, and other code files.
`
`58.
`
`At run time, at least one run time file utilizes information stored in the database to
`
`generate the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code for one or more displayed web pages. The HTML,
`
`CSS, JavaScript code represents virtual machine commands that is interpreted and executed by the
`
`applicable browser engine, which comprises an abstract machine that is not built in hardware but
`
`is emulated in software, to render the web page display. In the exemplary screenshot below, at
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`14
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 15 of 57 PageID #: 15
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`least one run time file in GoDaddy’s Website Builder generates HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code
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`corresponding to the displayed web page shown above.
`
`59.
`
`The presence of the above referenced elements is demonstrated, by way of example, by
`
`
`
`reference to publicly available information. See, e.g.:
`
`https://www.godaddy.com/websites/website-builder;
`
`https://www.godaddy.com/hosting/wordpress-hosting;
`
`https://www.godaddy.com/websites/online-store;
`
`https://www.godaddy.com/help/dive-in-browse-all-articles-list-24708;
`
`https://www.godaddy.com/websites#diyourself;
`
`https://www.godaddy.com/help/set-up-my-site-20104;
`
`https://www.godaddy.com/help/add-a-section-20119;
`
`https://www.godaddy.com/help/build-your-website-23907;
`
`https://www.godaddy.com/help/add-a-blog-to-my-website-27368;
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`https://www.godaddy.com/help/add-link-to-video-24586;
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`https://www.godaddy.com/help/add-or-change-photo-gallery-24585;
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`https://www.godaddy.com/help/add-online-appointments-section-27307;
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`15
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 16 of 57 PageID #: 16
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`https://www.godaddy.com/garage/introducing-godaddy-websites-marketing/;
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`https://www.godaddy.com/help/style-text-24510;
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`https://www.godaddy.com/help/add-or-replace-photo-20111;
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`https://www.godaddy.com/help/using-page-builder-in-wordpress-24542;
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`https://www.godaddy.com/help/view-my-database-details-24574;
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`https://www.godaddy.com/help/which-browsers-work-with-your-products-6451.
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`60.
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`On information and belief, GoDaddy was made aware of the ’397 patent and its
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`infringement thereof at least as early as February 28, 2013 and again on December 20, 2018 when
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`Plaintiff provided notice of Defendant’s infringement of the ’397 patent. Furthermore, Defendant
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`has been aware of the ‘397 patent and its infringement thereof since at least the filing of the
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`complaint.
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`61.
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`Upon information and belief, since at least the time Defendant received notice,
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`Defendant have induced and continues to induce others to infringe at least one claim of the ’397
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`patent under 35 U.S.C. § 271(b) by, among other things, and with specific intent or willful
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`blindness, actively aiding and abetting others to infringe, including but not limited to Defendant’s
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`partners, clients, customers, and end users, whose use of the Accused Instrumentalities constitutes
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`direct infringement of at least one claim of the ’397 patent.
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`62.
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`In particular, Defendant’s actions that aid and abet others such as customers, clients,
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`partners, developers, and end users to infringe include advertising and distributing the Accused
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`Instrumentalities and providing instruction materials, training, and services regarding the Accused
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`Instrumentalities. Defendant actively encourages the adoption of the Accused Instrumentalities
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`and provide support sites for the vast network of developers working with the Accused
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`Instrumentalities, emphasizing the user-friendly nature of their website builder and explaining that
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`16
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 17 of 57 PageID #: 17
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`“Website Builder. Your all-in-one solution to creating a professional website that looks great
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`anywhere and everywhere.” (See, e.g., https://www.godaddy.com/websites#diyourself). On
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`information and belief, Defendant has engaged in such actions with specific intent to cause
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`infringement or with willful blindness to the resulting infringement because Defendant has had
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`actual knowledge of the ’397 patent and knowledge that their acts were inducing infringement of
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`the ’397 patent since at least the date Defendant received notice that such activities infringed the
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`’397 patent.
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`63.
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`Upon information and belief, Defendant is liable as contributory infringers of the
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`’397 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 271(c) by offering to sell, selling and importing into the United
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`States website or web page authoring tools to be especially made or adapted for use in an
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`infringement of the ’397 patent. The Accused Instrumentalities are a material component for use
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`in practicing the ’397 patent and are specifically made and are not a staple article of commerce
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`suitable for substantial non-infringing use.
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`64.
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`Upon information and belief, since the date of its receipt of notice, Defendant’s
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`infringement of the ’397 patent has been willful.
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`65.
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`Defendant’s infringement has damaged and continues to damage and injure
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`Plaintiff. Plaintiff’s injury is irreparable and will continue unless and until Defendant is enjoined
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`by this Court from further infringement.
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`COUNT II – INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 7,594,168
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`66.
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`Plaintiff incorporates by reference the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 to 65
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`above.
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`67.
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`Defendant GoDaddy has manufactured, used, offered for sale, or sold browser-
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`based website building tools that infringe, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, one
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`17
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 18 of 57 PageID #: 18
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`or more claims of the ’168 patent in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(a). Defendant’s infringement
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`will continue unless enjoined by this Court.
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`68.
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`On information and belief, GoDaddy has and continue to directly infringe at least
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`claim 1 of the ’168 patent through its Accused Instrumentalities that provide browser-based
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`website authoring tools in which the user-selected settings representing website elements are
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`stored in a database, and in which said stored information is retrieved to assemble said website.
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`69.
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`For example, GoDaddy infringes at least claim 1 of the ’168 patent by providing a
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`system for assembling a web site comprising a server comprising a build engine configured
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`practice each limitation of claim 1 through a combination of features. As shown in the exemplary
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`screenshot below, the Accused Instrumentalities comprise GoDaddy’s Website Builder’s editor as
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`part of a system for assembling a web site hosted on GoDaddy’s server.
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`18
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 19 of 57 PageID #: 19
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`70.
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`The Accused Instrumentalities is configured to accept user input to create a website
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`comprising a plurality of web pages, where each web page comprising a plurality of objects, such
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`as “Cover Image,” “Promotional Banner,” and “Headline.” For example, as shown in the
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`screenshot below, the GoDaddy’s Website Builder’s editor is configured to accept user input (e.g.,
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`selection of font size) and create a website.
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`19
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`Case 1:19-cv-01937-RGA Document 1 Filed 10/11/19 Page 20 of 57 PageID #: 20
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`71.
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`The Accused Instrumentalities’ build engine is configured to accept user input to
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`associate a style with objects of the plurality of web pages. As shown in the screenshots below,
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`by using GoDaddy’s Website Builder’s editor, a user can input fields to associate a style, such as
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`“Accent,” with an object. Additionally, the at least one button object or at least one image object
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`is associated with a style that includes values defining transformations and time lines for the at
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`least one button object or at least one image object. Buttons and images created using GoDaddy’s
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`Website Builder editor have associated styles, such as Layout, Accent, and functionality. The
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`buttons and images further include transformations and time lines definitions that affect the
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`appearance and b