`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
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`C.A. No. ________
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`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
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`))))))))))
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`ARENDI S.A.R.L.,
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`Plaintiff,
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`v.
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`LG ELECTRONICS, INC. and
`LG ELECTRONICS USA, INC.
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`Defendants.
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`COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT
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`Plaintiff Arendi S.A.R.L. (“Arendi”) brings this action for infringement of U.S. Patent No.
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`7,917,843 (“the ’843 Patent”) under 35 U.S.C. §271 against Defendants LG Electronics, Inc. and
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`LG Electronics USA, Inc. (collectively, “LG” or “Defendants”), demands a jury trial, and alleges:
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`Related Actions
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`1.
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`This case is related to the following cases currently pending before Chief Judge
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`Stark in this District:
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` Arendi S.A.R.L v. LG Electronics, Inc. et al., Case No. 12-1595-LPS
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` Arendi S.A.R.L v. Apple, Inc., Case No. 12-1596-LPS
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` Arendi S.A.R.L v. Blackberry Limited et al., Case No. 12-1597-LPS
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` Arendi S.A.R.L v. HTC Corp., Case No. 12-1600-LPS
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` Arendi S.A.R.L v. Motorola Mobility LLC, Case No. 12-1601-LPS
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` Arendi S.A.R.L v. Sony Mobile Communications (USA) et al., Case No. 12-1602-
`LPS
` Arendi S.A.R.L v. Google LLC, Case No. 13-919-LPS
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` Arendi v. Oath Inc., Case No. 13-920-LPS
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`Case 1:20-cv-01483-UNA Document 1 Filed 11/03/20 Page 2 of 9 PageID #: 2
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`2.
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`This case is related to the following cases that were pending before Chief Judge
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`Stark in this District but have since been dismissed:
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` Arendi S.A.R.L v. Samsung Electronics Co., LTD et al., Case No. 12-1598-LPS
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` Arendi S.A.R.L v. Microsoft Mobile (f/k/a Nokia Inc.), Case No. 12-1599-LPS
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`Parties
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`3.
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`Plaintiff Arendi is a Société à responsabilité limitée organized and existing under
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`the law of Luxembourg with its principle place of business in Luxembourg.
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`4.
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`Defendant LG Electronics, Inc. (“LGE”) is a South Korean corporation with its
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`principle place of business of LG Twin Towers, 20 Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul,
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`Republic of Korea 150-721.
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`5.
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`Defendant LG Electronics USA, Inc. (“LG USA”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of
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`LGE and is a Delaware corporation with its principle place of business at 1000 Sylvan Avenue,
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`Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632. Upon information and belief, Defendant may be served with
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`process c/o United States Corporation Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware
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`19808.
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`Jurisdiction and Venue
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`6.
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`This action arises under the Patent Laws of the United States, 35 U.S.C. § 1, et seq.,
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`including 35 U.S.C. §§ 271, 281, 283, 284, and 285. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction
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`over this patent infringement action under 28 U.S.C §1331 and 1338(a).
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`7.
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`This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendants by virtue of their systematic
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`and continuous contacts with this jurisdiction as well as their continuous presence in this District.
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`Defendants have committed acts of patent infringement in this District and a substantial part of the
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`events or omissions giving rise to this claim occurred in this District. Defendants have placed and
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`2
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`Case 1:20-cv-01483-UNA Document 1 Filed 11/03/20 Page 3 of 9 PageID #: 3
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`continue to place, Accused Products in the stream of commerce, through an established channel of
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`distribution, with the knowledge and intent to use and sell products in this District.
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`8.
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`Defendants are thus subject to this Court’s specific and general personal jurisdiction
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`pursuant to their substantial business in this forum, including: (i) committing at least a portion of
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`the infringements alleged herein in this judicial District; (ii) regularly doing or soliciting business,
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`engaging in other persistent courses of conduct, and/or deriving substantial revenue from goods
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`and services provided to individuals in this forum state and in this judicial District; and (iii)
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`incorporating in this District. Furthermore, Defendants have been sued in this judicial District
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`before and have not contested personal jurisdiction.
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`9.
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`Venue is proper in this judicial district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1400(b), because
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`LGE is a foreign defendant and subject to suit in any judicial district, and LG USA is incorporated
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`in this district. See In re HTC Corp., 889 F.3d 1349 (Fed. Cir. 2018); TC Heartland v. Kraft Foods
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`Group Brands LLC, 137 S. Ct. 1514 (2017).
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`The Patent-in-Suit
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`10.
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`On March 29, 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office duly and legally
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`issued U.S. Patent No. 7,917,843, entitled “Method, System and Computer Readable Medium for
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`Addressing Handling from a Computer Program.” A copy of the ’843 Patent is attached as Exhibit
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`1 to this Complaint. The ’843 Patent is valid and enforceable.
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`11.
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`Arendi is the exclusive owner of all right, title, and interest in the ’843 Patent,
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`including the right to bring this suit for patent infringement.
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`12.
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`The ’843 Patent’s specification explains the need to retrieve information from a
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`data source external to a document, such as a database. It also observes that information in the
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`database becomes stale and, therefore, “must constantly be updated by the user,” which requires
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`3
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`Case 1:20-cv-01483-UNA Document 1 Filed 11/03/20 Page 4 of 9 PageID #: 4
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`the user to have access to the database and understand how to use and modify the database or else
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`rely on the intervention of an administrator. Ex. 1, ’843 Patent, at 1:27-35, 1:43-49. The invention
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`of the ’843 Patent obviates the need for the user to be familiar with the database in order to search
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`for, retrieve, and modify information. The Abstract summarizes the invention accordingly:
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`A method, system and computer readable medium for providing . . . a function item,
`such as a key, button, icon, or menu, tied to a user operation in a computer, whereby
`a single click on the function item in a window or program on a computer screen,
`or one single selection in a menu in a program, initiates retrieval of name and
`addresses and/or other person or company related information, while the user works
`simultaneously in another program, e.g., a word processor.
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`Ex. 1, at Abstract; see also id. at 2:14-23 (similar language used to achieve “objects” of the
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`invention). The Federal Circuit similarly described the ’843 Patent as “directed to providing
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`beneficial coordination between a first computer program displaying a document and a second
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`computer program for searching an external information source. The patent allows a user to access
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`and conduct a search using the second computer program while remaining in the first computer
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`program displaying the document.” Arendi S.A.R.L. v. Apple, Inc., 832 F. 3d 1355, 1357 (Fed. Cir.
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`2016). Use of the invention, the specification adds, can be implemented “with a minimal number
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`of user commands.” Ex. 1, at 9:51-54. The invention streamlines the process of creating and
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`updating records in the database, allowing such tasks to be performed directly from the document.
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`See id. at 9:57-60.
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`13.
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`The claims of the ’843 Patent thus provide non-abstract ideas, unconventional
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`inventive concepts, and reflect a practical application of the invention as described in the
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`specifications. In particular, the ’843 Patent has been found by this Court to be directed to an
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`improvement in computer functionality. See Arendi S.a.r.l. v. LG Electronics, Inc. et al., Case No.
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`12-1595-LPS (January 2, 2020) (D.I. 178).
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`4
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`Case 1:20-cv-01483-UNA Document 1 Filed 11/03/20 Page 5 of 9 PageID #: 5
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`Count 1
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`(Direct, Indirect, and Willful Infringement of the ’843 Patent)
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`Arendi incorporates by reference the preceding paragraphs.
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`Defendants have directly infringed, literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, at
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`14.
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`15.
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`least claims 1, 8, 23, and 30 of the ’843 Patent under 35 §§ U.S.C. 271(a) and 271(g) by making,
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`using, selling, offering to sell, and/or importing in or into the United States, mobile
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`telecommunication devices, mobile phones, tablets, and other products practicing at least claims
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`1, 8, 23, and 30 of the ’843 Patent (“the Accused Instrumentalities”). The Accused
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`Instrumentalities include the following products and devices: LG Stylo 4, LG Q7+, LG G7 ThinQ,
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`LG V35 ThinQ, LG V30, LG V30+, LG G Pad, LG K30, LG Stylo 3, LG G6, LG V20, LG Zone
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`4, LG K30, LG X Venture, LG Grace, LG Fiesta, LG Aristo, LGK20, LG Harmony, LG K20 Plus,
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`LG Stylo 3 Plus, LG K8, LG G6 Plus, LG Stylo 2 Plus, LG X Power, LG K10, LG X Power, LG
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`Rebel 2, LG Tribute HD, LG Phoenix 3, LG Fortune, LG Risio 2, LG K10, LG K3, LG K8, LG
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`G5, LG Escape 3, LG Stylo 2, LG K8 V, LG K7, LG Classic, LG Rebel, LG Treasure, LG Premier,
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`LG G4, LG G Vista 2, LG V10, LG Spree, LG Tribute 2, LG Tribute 5, LG G Stylo, LG Escape
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`2, LG G Flex 2, LG Leon, LG G Stylo, LG G Flex 2, LG Destiny, LG Power, LG G Stylo, LG G
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`Flex 2, LG Optimus G Pro, LG G3, LG G Vista, LG G3 Vigor, LG Access, LG Optimus Fuel,
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`LG Volt, LG Google Nexus 4, LG Optimus F5, LG Optimus F3Q, LG Optimus G, LG Venice,
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`LG Optimus 7, LG Optimus F7, LG Optimus G Sprint, LG Optimus L9, LG Optimus F7, LG
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`Lucid 2, LG Optimus Select, LG Mach LS860, LG Optimus Regard, LG Motion 4G, LG Spirit
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`4G, LG Escape, LG Splendor, LG Optimus Exceed, LG Viper, LG Doubleplay, LG Connect 4G,
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`LG Optimus 2, MG Mytouch, LG Optimus Net, LG Optimus Elite, LG Marquee, LG MS690, LG
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`Optimus M+, LG Esteem, LG Nitro HD, LG Optimus Slider, LG Enlighten, LG Lucid 4G, LG
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`5
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`Case 1:20-cv-01483-UNA Document 1 Filed 11/03/20 Page 6 of 9 PageID #: 6
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`Thrill 4G, LG G2xT, LG Genesis, LG Optimus, LG Optimus S, LG Optimus 1, LG Vortex, LG
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`Thrive, LG Phoenix, LG Apex, LG Ally, LG Optimus T, LG Axis, LG dLite, LG Sentio, LG Exalt
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`LTE, LG 450, LG Helix, LG Clout, LG Tritan, LG CF360, LG GS170, LG 102, LG 108C, LG
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`109C, LG 237C, LG 283 C, LG 305C, LG 329G, LG 500G, LG Samba, LG Envoy, LG Envoy II,
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`LG Saber, LG Wine 2, LG Mystique, LG UX220, LG Banter, LG Revere, LG Revere 2, LG Revere
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`3, LG Terra, LG Cosmos, LG Cosmos 2, LG Cosmos 3, LG Cosmos Touch, LG Extravert, LG
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`Exalt II, LG Octane, LG enV Touch. LG VX5500, LG Accolade, LG Glance, LG Chocolate 3, LG
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`Chocolate Touch, LG enV 3, LG Versa, LG Neon, LG Encore, LG GU292, LG GU295, LG
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`GW370, LG 306G, LG Force, LG 442BG, LG Remarq, LG Rumor Touch, LG Rumor Reflex, LG
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`Rumor 2, LG LX370, LG Lotus Elite, LG Imprint, LG Lyric, LG Beacon, LG Banter Touch, LG
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`Shine II, LG 101, LG Bliss, LG Vu Plus Vu, LG Converse, LG Swift, LG Rhythm, LG A430, LG
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`Prime, LG B470, LG G Pad F, LG G Pad X, LG G Pad II, LG G-Slate T-Mobile, LG G Pad 10,
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`LG G Pad 8.3, LG G Pad F2, and similar products. On October 19, 2020, this Court ruled that the
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`Accused Instrumentalities were not part of the related action asserting the ’843 Patent, Arendi
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`S.A.R.L v. LG Electronics, Inc. et al., Case No. 12-1595-LPS (D.I. 213).
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`16.
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`Defendants likewise have induced infringement of the ’843 Patent under 35 U.S.C
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`§271(b). Defendants actively encouraged their customers, including consumers and cellphone
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`carriers, to directly infringe the ’843 Patent by using, selling, offering for sale, and importing the
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`Accused Instrumentalities. Upon information and belief, Defendants actively encouraged their
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`customers to use, sell, offer for sale, and import into the United States the Accused
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`Instrumentalities by and through Defendants’ sales and marketing efforts and supporting materials,
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`instructions, product manuals, and/or technical information provided to consumers. Defendants
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`touted the technological benefits of the Accused Instrumentalities, including the claimed invention,
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`6
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`Case 1:20-cv-01483-UNA Document 1 Filed 11/03/20 Page 7 of 9 PageID #: 7
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`and actively encouraged customers to use the claimed invention. Defendants knew that their
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`customers’ acts constituted direct infringement of at least one claim of the ’843 Patent since at
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`least November 29, 2012 and thus specifically intended that their customers infringe one or more
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`claims of the ’843 Patent. As a result of Defendants’ active encouragement and intentional
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`inducement, Defendants’ customers have committed acts of direct infringement of the ’843 Patent.
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`17.
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`Defendants likewise are liable as contributory infringers of the ’843 Patent under
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`35 U.S.C. 271(c). Since at least November 29, 2012, LG has, with knowledge of the ’843 Patent,
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`contributed to the infringement of one or more claims of the ’843 Patent by selling, offering to
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`sell, and importing into the United States the Accused Instrumentalities with the knowledge that
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`the Accused Instrumentalities are especially designed or adapted to operate and be used in the
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`manner that infringes and with the knowledge that its customers, end users, and other third parties
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`will continue to practice the claimed invention. Defendants have performed these acts of
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`contributory infringement with the knowledge that the infringing information handling technology
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`is not a staple of commerce suitable for substantially non-infringing uses.
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`18.
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`Furthermore, Defendants’ infringement has been willful. Defendants learned of the
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`’843 Patent no later than November 29, 2012 by virtue of a prior lawsuit against them. Despite
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`knowledge of the ’843 Patent, Defendants continued to infringe at least claims 1, 8, 23, and 30 of
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`the ’843 Patent through their manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale, and importing into and in the
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`United States of the Accused Instrumentalities. Defendants thus acted despite an objectively high
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`likelihood that their acts constituted patent infringement. Defendants’ continued acts of
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`infringement despite knowledge of the ’843 Patent are thus intentional and deliberate and
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`constitute willful infringement entitling Arendi to enhanced damages.
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`7
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`Case 1:20-cv-01483-UNA Document 1 Filed 11/03/20 Page 8 of 9 PageID #: 8
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`19.
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`Defendants’ direct, indirect, and willful infringement of the ’843 Patent has caused
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`substantial damage to Arendi. Therefore, Arendi is entitled to an award of damages adequate to
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`compensate for Defendants’ infringement, but not less than a reasonable royalty, together with
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`pre-and post-judgment interest and costs as fixed by the Court under 35 U.S.C. § 284. Arendi is
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`likewise entitled to enhanced damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284.
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`Jury Demand
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`20.
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`Arendi hereby demands a trial by jury for its causes of action.
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`Requested Relief
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`21.
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`Arendi requests the following relief:
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`a. A judgment that Defendants have directly infringed either literally and/or under the
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`doctrine of equivalents the ’843 Patent;
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`b. A judgment that Defendants have induced infringement of the ’843 Patent;
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`c. A judgment that Defendants have contributorily infringed the ’843 Patent;
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`d. A judgment and order requiring Defendants to pay Arendi damages under 35 U.S.C.
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`§ 284, including treble damages for willful infringement as provided by 35 U.S.C.
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`§ 284, and supplemental damages for any continuing post-verdict infringement
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`through entry of the final judgment with an accounting as needed;
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`e. A judgment that this is an exceptional case within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. § 285
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`and Arendi is therefore entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees;
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`f. A judgment and order requiring Defendants to pay Arendi pre-judgment and post-
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`judgment interest on the damages awarded;
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`g. A judgment and order awarding a compulsory ongoing royalty;
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`h. Awarding Arendi the costs of this action; and
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`8
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`Case 1:20-cv-01483-UNA Document 1 Filed 11/03/20 Page 9 of 9 PageID #: 9
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`i. Such other and further relief as the Court deems just and equitable.
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`Dated: November 3, 2020
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`Of Counsel:
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`Seth Ard
`Beatrice Franklin
`Max Straus
`SUSMAN GODFREY, LLP
`1301 Avenue of the Americas, 32nd Floor
`New York, NY 10019
`Tel: (212) 336-8330
`sard@susmangodfrey.com
`bfranklin@susmangodfrey.com
`mstraus@susmangodfrey.com
`
`John Lahad
`Emi Lawson
`SUSMAN GODFREY, LLP
`1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 5100
`Houston, TX 77002-5096
`Tel: (713) 651-9366
`jlahad@susmangodfrey.com
`elawson@susmangodfrey.com
`
`Kalpana Srinivasan
`SUSMAN GODFREY, LLP
`1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1400
`Los Angeles, CA 90067
`Tel: (310) 789-3106
`ksrinivasan@susmangodfrey.com
`
`Kemper Diehl
`SUSMAN GODFREY, L.L.P.
`1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3800
`Seattle, WA 98101-3000
`Tel: (206) 516-3880
`kdiehl@susmangodfrey.com
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`
`
`SMITH, KATZENSTEIN & JENKINS LLP
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`
`/s/ Neal C. Belgam
`Neal C. Belgam (No. 2721)
`Eve H. Ormerod (No. 5369)
`1000 West Street, Suite 1501
`Wilmington, DE 19801
`Tel: (302) 652-8400
`nbelgam@skjlaw.com
`eormerod@skjlaw.com
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`Attorneys for Plaintiff Arendi S.A.R.L.
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`9
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