`
`UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
`WASHINGTON, D.C.
`
`
`In the Matter of
`
`CERTAIN ROBOTIC VACUUM
`CLEANING DEVICES AND
`COMPONENTS THEREOF SUCH AS
`SPARE PARTS
`
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`Inv. No. 337-TA-1057
`
`
`VERIFIED AMENDED COMPLAINT OF IROBOT CORPORATION
`UNDER SECTION 337 OF THE TARIFF ACT OF 1930, AS AMENDED
`
`
`COMPLAINANT:
`iRobot Corporation
`8 Crosby Drive
`Bedford, Massachusetts 01730
`Telephone: (781) 430-3000
`
`COUNSEL FOR COMPLAINANT:
`FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
`Ruffin B. Cordell
`Ralph A. Phillips
`Stephen A. Marshall
`Linhong Zhang
`Thomas S. Fusco
`The McPherson Building
`901 15th Street, N.W., 7th Floor
`Washington, DC 20005
`Tel: (202) 783-5070
`Fax: (202) 783-2331
`
`
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`PROPOSED RESPONDENTS:
`Bissell Homecare, Inc.
`2345 Walker Ave., N.W.
`Grand Rapids, Michigan 49544
`Telephone: (616) 453-4451
`
`Hoover Inc.
`7005 Cochran Road
`Glenwillow, Ohio 44139
`Telephone: (330) 499-9499
`
`Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. Inc.
`d/b/a TTI Floor Care North America, Inc.
`7005 Cochran Road
`Glenwillow, Ohio 44139
`Telephone: (440) 996-2000
`
`Bobsweep, Inc.
`1121 Bay St., Suite 709
`Toronto, Ontario M5S3L9
`Canada
`Telephone: (888) 549-8847
`
`Bobsweep USA
`2360 Corporate Circle, Suite 400
`Henderson, Nevada 89074
`Telephone: (858) 847-5414
`
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003
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`The Black & Decker Corporation
`701 E. Joppa Rd.
`Towson, Maryland 21286
`Telephone: (410) 716-3900
`
`Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc.
`701 E. Joppa Rd.
`Towson, Maryland 21286
`Telephone: (410) 716-3900
`
`Shenzhen ZhiYi Technology Co., Ltd.
`d/b/a iLife
`3rd Floor Bld B
`Hytera Technology Park,
`No. 3,4th of Baolong Road
`Longgang, Shenzhen 518000
`People’s Republic of China
`Telephone: +86 (755) 23772205
`
`Matsutek Enterprises Co., Ltd.
`2F, 2, Lane 15 Tzu Chiang Street
`New Taipei City, Taiwan 23678
`Telephone: +886 222694540
`
`Suzhou Real Power Electric Appliance Co.,
`Ltd.
`No 9 Shi Yang Rd
`Suzhou New District
`Suzhou 215151
`People’s Republic of China
`Telephone: +86 (512) 88161688 - 8024
`
`Shenzhen Silver Star Intelligent Technology
`Co., Ltd.
`Building D, Huiqing Technology Park
`DAFU Industrial Area
`Guanguang Road
`Guanlan Town
`Shenzhen
`People’s Republic of China
`Telephone: +86 (755) 36615600
`
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`2
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 2
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`I.
`II.
`III.
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`IV.
`V.
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`B.
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`TABLE OF CONTENTS
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`INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 1
`COMPLAINANT .............................................................................................................. 3
`PROPOSED RESPONDENTS ........................................................................................ 4
`A.
`Bissell Homecare, Inc............................................................................................ 4
`B.
`Hoover, Inc. ........................................................................................................... 5
`C.
`Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. Inc. d/b/a TTI Floor Care North
`America, Inc. ..................................................................................................................... 5
`D.
`Bobsweep, Inc. ....................................................................................................... 6
`E.
`Bobsweep USA ...................................................................................................... 7
`F.
`The Black & Decker Corporation ....................................................................... 7
`G.
`Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc. ................................................................................... 8
`H.
`Shenzhen ZhiYi Technology Co., Ltd. d/b/a iLife.............................................. 8
`I.
`Matsutek Enterprises Co., Ltd. ........................................................................... 9
`J.
`Suzhou Real Power Electric Appliance Co., Ltd. ............................................ 10
`K.
`Shenzhen Silver Star Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. ................................... 11
`THE TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTS AT ISSUE ................................................ 12
`THE ASSERTED PATENTS ........................................................................................ 14
`A.
`U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490 ................................................................................... 14
`1.
`Identification of the Patent and Ownership by iRobot........................ 14
`2.
`Non-Technical Description of the Patented Invention ........................ 15
`3.
`Foreign Counterparts to the ’490 Patent .............................................. 15
`4.
`Licenses .................................................................................................... 16
`U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308 ................................................................................... 16
`1.
`Identification of the Patent and Ownership by iRobot........................ 16
`2.
`Non-Technical Description of the Patented Invention ........................ 17
`3.
`Foreign Counterparts to the ’308 Patent .............................................. 17
`4.
`Licenses .................................................................................................... 17
`U.S. Patent No. 8,474,090 ................................................................................... 17
`1.
`Identification of the Patent and Ownership by iRobot........................ 17
`2.
`Non-Technical Description of the Patented Invention ........................ 18
`3.
`Foreign Counterparts to the ’090 Patent .............................................. 18
`4.
`Licenses .................................................................................................... 19
`U.S. Patent No. 8,600,553 ................................................................................... 19
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`C.
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`D.
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`i
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 3
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`F.
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`E.
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`Identification of the Patent and Ownership by iRobot........................ 19
`1.
`Non-Technical Description of the Patented Invention ........................ 20
`2.
`Foreign Counterparts to the ’553 Patent .............................................. 20
`3.
`Licenses .................................................................................................... 20
`4.
`U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233 ................................................................................... 21
`1.
`Identification of the Patent and Ownership by iRobot........................ 21
`2.
`Non-Technical Description of the Patented Invention ........................ 21
`3.
`Foreign Counterparts to the ’233 Patent .............................................. 21
`4.
`Licenses .................................................................................................... 22
`U.S. Patent No. 9,486,924 ................................................................................... 22
`1.
`Identification of the Patent and Ownership by iRobot........................ 22
`2.
`Non-Technical Description of the Patented Invention ........................ 23
`3.
`Foreign Counterparts to the ’924 Patent .............................................. 23
`4.
`Licenses .................................................................................................... 23
`SPECIFIC INSTANCES OF UNFAIR IMPORTATION AND SALE ..................... 23
`VI.
`VII. UNFAIR ACTS OF PROPOSED RESPONDENTS ................................................... 30
`A.
`Infringement of the Asserted Patents ................................................................ 30
`B.
`Application of Asserted Independent Claims ................................................... 34
`VIII. CLASSIFICATION UNDER THE HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE ........... 36
`IX. DOMESTIC INDUSTRY ............................................................................................... 37
`A.
`Technical Prong .................................................................................................. 37
`B.
`Economic Prong .................................................................................................. 38
`RELATED LITIGATION ............................................................................................. 39
`X.
`XI. REQUESTED EXCLUSION ORDERS ....................................................................... 41
`A.
`Limited Exclusion Order .................................................................................... 41
`B.
`Cease and Desist Orders ..................................................................................... 42
`XII. REQUESTED RELIEF .................................................................................................. 42
`
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`ii
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 4
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`1.
`2.
`3.
`4.
`5.
`6.
`7.
`8.
`9.
`10.
`11.
`12.
`13.
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`14.
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`15.
`16.
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`17.
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`LIST OF EXHIBITS
`
`Certified Copy of U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`Certified Copy of U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`Certified Copy of U.S. Patent No. 8,474,090
`Certified Copy of U.S. Patent No. 8,600,553
`Certified Copy of U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233
`Certified Copy of U.S. Patent No. 9,486,924
`Certified Assignment Record for U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`Certified Assignment Record for U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`Certified Assignment Record for U.S. Patent No. 8,474,090
`Certified Assignment Record for U.S. Patent No. 8,600,553
`Certified Assignment Record for U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233
`Certified Assignment Record for U.S. Patent No. 9,486,924
`Robotic vacuum cleaning products offered for sale by Bissell
`(https://www.bissell.com/vacuums/robotic-vacuums)
`Robotic vacuum cleaning products offered for sale by Hoover
`(https://hoover.com/products/category/robot-vacuums/)
`S&P Capital IQ for Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. Inc.
`Hoover webpage describing company history
`(https://hoover.com/about/)
`TTI Floor Care North America webpage describing company history
`(http://ttifloorcare.com/company/)
`Bobsweep webpage describing vacuum products
`(http://www.bobsweep.com/)
`Compilation of Bobsweep USA import records obtained from
`Panjiva.com
`20. Walmart webpage offering sale of BDH500
`(https://www.walmart.com/ip/Black-Decker-Robotic-Vacuum-
`BDH5000WM-4/54134701)
`
`18.
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`19.
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`i
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 5
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`21.
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`22.
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`23.
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`Robotic vacuum cleaning products offered for sale by Black & Decker
`(http://www.blackanddecker.com/en-us/products/home-
`cleaning/vacuums/robot-vacuums/params/1/24/newest/-/-/-/-/-/-/-)
`Products demonstrated by Black & Decker at 2017 CES
`(https://www.cnet.com/products/black-decker-smartech-robotic-
`vacuum/preview/)
`Black & Decker vacuum products available for pre-order
`(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N16BRGK?tag=price106300d-
`20&ascsubtag=230563770&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
`Picture of BDH5000 robot and box identifying Black & Decker (U.S.)
`Packaging of iLife V5s robotic vacuum
`Packaging of iLife A6 robotic vacuum
`Product web page for iLife A-series robotic vacuums
`(http://www.iliferobot.com/list53)
`Product web page for iLife V-series robotic vacuums
`(http://www.iliferobot.com/list42)
`29. Matsutek Enterprises Co., Ltd. Circuit Board
`30. Matsutek Enterprises Co., Ltd. Shipment Results
`31. Matsutek Enterprises Co., Ltd. Bill of Lading
`32. Matsutek Enterprises Co., Ltd. Disclosure to California Energy
`Commission re Bissell Model Number 1605
`33. Matsutek Enterprises Co., Ltd. Disclosure to California Energy
`Commission re Bissell Model Number 1974
`Suzhou Real Power Electric Appliance Co., Ltd. Disclosure to
`California Energy Commission re Hoover Model Number BH70700
`Suzhou Real Power Electric Appliance Co., Ltd. Disclosure to
`California Energy Commission re Hoover Model Number BH70800
`Suzhou Real Power Electric Appliance Co., Ltd. Shipping Results
`Statement of Compliance filed with the FCC by Hoover, Inc. for Model
`BH70700
`
`24.
`25.
`26.
`27.
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`28.
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`34.
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`35.
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`36.
`37.
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`ii
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 6
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`38.
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`39.
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`40.
`41.
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`42.
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`43.
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`44.
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`45.
`46.
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`47.
`48.
`49.
`50.
`51.
`52.
`53.
`54.
`55.
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`56.
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`57.
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`Shenzhen Silver Star Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. Disclosure to
`California Energy Commission re Hoover Model Number BH71000
`Shenzhen Silver Star Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. Disclosure to
`California Energy Commission re Black & Decker Model Number
`BDH5000
`CONFIDENTIAL: List of licensed entities
`Proof of Purchase of a Bissell SmartClean Model 1974 Robotic
`Vacuum Cleaning Device
`Proof of Purchase of a Hoover Quest 800 (Model BH70800) Robotic
`Vacuum Cleaning Device
`Proof of Purchase of a Hoover Quest 1000 (Model BH71000) Robotic
`Vacuum Cleaning Device
`Proof of Purchase of a Bobsweep PetHair Robotic Vacuum Cleaner and
`Mop
`Proof of Purchase of a Bobsweep Classic Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
`Proof of Purchase of a Black & Decker BDH5000 robotic vacuum
`cleaning device
`Proof of Purchase of an iLife V5s Robotic Vacuum Cleaning Device
`Proof of Purchase of an iLife A6 Robotic Vacuum Cleaning Device
`Proof of Purchase of an iLife V7 Robotic Vacuum Cleaning Device
`Bissell SmartClean Robotic Vacuum User Guide 1605 Series
`Hoover Quest 1000 Instruction Manual
`bObi by bObsweep Owner’s Manual
`Black & Decker Robotic Vacuum Instruction Manual BDH5000
`iLife A6 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner User Manual
`Infringement Claim Chart for Bissell’s SmartClean 1974 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`Infringement Claim Chart for Bissell’s SmartClean 1974 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`Infringement Claim Chart for Bissell’s SmartClean 1974 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 8,474,090
`
`iii
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 7
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`58.
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`59.
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`60.
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`61.
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`62.
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`63.
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`64.
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`65.
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`66.
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`67.
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`68.
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`69.
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`70.
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`71.
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`72.
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`Infringement Claim Chart for Bissell’s SmartClean 1974 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 8,600,553
`Infringement Claim Chart for Bissell’s SmartClean 1974 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233
`Infringement Claim Chart for Hoover’s Quest 800 Robotic Vacuum
`Under U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`Infringement Claim Chart for Hoover’s Quest 800 Robotic Vacuum
`Under U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`Infringement Claim Chart for Hoover’s Quest 800 Robotic Vacuum
`Under U.S. Patent No. 8,600,553
`Infringement Claim Chart for Hoover’s Quest 800 Robotic Vacuum
`Under U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233
`Infringement Claim Chart for Hoover’s Quest 800 Robotic Vacuum
`Under U.S. Patent No. 9,486,924
`Infringement Claim Chart for Hoover’s Quest 1000 Robotic Vacuum
`Under U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`Infringement Claim Chart for Hoover’s Quest 1000 Robotic Vacuum
`Under U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`Infringement Claim Chart for Hoover’s Quest 1000 Robotic Vacuum
`Under U.S. Patent No. 8,474,090
`Infringement Claim Chart for Hoover’s Quest 1000 Robotic Vacuum
`Under U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233
`Infringement Claim Chart for Hoover’s Quest 1000 Robotic Vacuum
`Under U.S. Patent No. 9,486,924
`Infringement Claim Chart for bObsweep’s PetHair Robotic Vacuum
`Under U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`Infringement Claim Chart for bObsweep’s PetHair Robotic Vacuum
`Under U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`Infringement Claim Chart for bObsweep’s PetHair Robotic Vacuum
`Under U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233
`
`iv
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 8
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`73.
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`74.
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`75.
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`76.
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`77.
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`78.
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`79.
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`80.
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`81.
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`82.
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`83.
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`84.
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`85.
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`86.
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`87.
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`Infringement Claim Chart for bObsweep’s bObi Classic Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`Infringement Claim Chart for bObsweep’s bObi Classic Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`Infringement Claim Chart for bObsweep’s bObi Classic Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 8,474,090
`Infringement Claim Chart for bObsweep’s bObi Classic Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233
`Infringement Claim Chart for Black & Decker’s BDH5000 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`Infringement Claim Chart for Black & Decker’s BDH5000 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`Infringement Claim Chart for Black & Decker’s BDH5000 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 8,474,090
`Infringement Claim Chart for iLife’s A6 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
`Under U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`Infringement Claim Chart for iLife’s A6 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
`Under U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`Infringement Claim Chart for iLife’s A6 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
`Under U.S. Patent 8,474,090
`Infringement Claim Chart for iLife’s A6 Robotic Vacuum Under U.S.
`Patent No. 8,600,553
`Infringement Claim Chart of iLife’s A6 Robotic Vacuum Under U.S.
`Patent No. 9,038,233
`Infringement Claim Chart for iLife’s V5s Robotic Vacuum Under U.S.
`Patent No. 6,809,490
`Infringement Claim Chart for iLife’s V5s Robotic Vacuum Under U.S.
`Patent No. 7,155,308
`Infringement Claim Chart for iLife’s V5s Robotic Vacuum Under U.S.
`Patent No. 8,474,090
`
`v
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 9
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`88.
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`89.
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`90.
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`91.
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`92.
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`93.
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`94.
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`95.
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`96.
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`97.
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`98.
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`Infringement Claim Chart for iLife’s V5s Robotic Vacuum Under U.S.
`Patent No. 8,600,553
`Infringement Claim Chart for iLife’s V7 Robotic Vacuum Under U.S.
`Patent No. 9,486,924
`Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 650 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 860 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 980 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 650 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 860 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 980 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 650 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 8,474,090
`Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 860 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 8,474,090
`Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 980 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 8,474,090
`Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 650 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 8,600,553
`100. Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 860 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 8,600,553
`101. Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 980 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 8,600,553
`102. Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 650 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233
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`99.
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`vi
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 10
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`103. Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 860 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233
`104. Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 980 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233
`105. Domestic Industry Claim Chart for iRobot’s Roomba 980 Robotic
`Vacuum Under U.S. Patent No. 9,486,924
`106. CONFIDENTIAL: Declaration of Alison Dean
`107. Bissell SmartClean Robotic Vacuum User Guide 1974 Series
`108. Hoover Quest 600, 700, 800 User Manual
`109.
`bObsweep Pet Hair Owner’s Manual
`110.
`iLife Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Model: V7 Pro User Manual
`111.
`iLife Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Model: V5s Pro User Manual
`112.
`iRobot Roomba Vacuum Cleaning Robot Owner’s Manual
`113.
`iRobot Roomba 800 Owner’s Manual
`114.
`iRobot Roomba 900 Owner’s Manual
`115. Bissell webpage previewing SmartClean Connected Robotic Vacuum
`(https://www.bissell.com/smartclean-connected-robotic-vacuum-2147)
`116. Walmart webpage offering for sale PET Lithium Robot Vacuum with
`SMARTECHTM (Model HRV420BP07)
`117. Amazon webpage offering for sale Black & Decker Lithium Robotic
`Vacuum with LED and SMARTECH™ (Model HRV425BLP)
`118. Amazon webpage offering for sale Lithium Robotic Vacuum with LED
`and SMARTECH™ (Model HRV425BL)
`119. Shenzhen Silver Star Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. Disclosure to
`California Energy Commission re Black & Decker Model Number
`HRV420B***
`120. Shenzhen Silver Star Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. Disclosure to
`California Energy Commission re Black & Decker Model Number
`HRV425B***
`121. Proof of Purchase of a Black & Decker Lithium Robotic Vacuum with
`LED and SMARTECH™ (Model HRV425BLP)
`
`vii
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 11
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`122. Proof of Purchase of a Black & Decker PET Lithium Robotic Vacuum
`with SMARTECH™ (Model HRV420BP07)
`123. Black & Decker Model HRV425BL, HRV425BLP, & HRV420BP07
`Manual
`124. Black & Decker HRV420BP07, HRV425BL and HRV425BLP
`Packaging Insert
`125. Picture of Black & Decker PET Lithium Robotic Vacuum with
`SMARTECH™ (Model HRV420BP07) robot and box identifying
`Black & Decker (U.S.)
`Infringement Claim Chart for Black & Decker’s HRV420BP07 Under
`U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`Infringement Claim Chart for Black & Decker’s HRV420BP07 Under
`U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`Infringement Claim Chart for Black & Decker’s HRV420BP07 Under
`U.S. Patent No. 8,474,090
`Infringement Claim Chart for Black & Decker’s HRV420BP07 Under
`U.S. Patent No. 8,600,553
`Infringement Claim Chart for Black & Decker’s HRV420BP07 Under
`U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233
`Infringement Claim Chart for Black & Decker’s HRV420BP07 Under
`U.S. Patent No. 9,486,924
`
`126.
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`127.
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`128.
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`129.
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`130.
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`131.
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`LIST OF APPENDICES
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`A.
`B.
`C.
`D.
`E.
`F.
`G.
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`Certified copy of the Prosecution History of U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`Certified copy of the Prosecution History of U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`Certified copy of the Prosecution History of U.S. Patent No. 8,474,090
`Certified copy of the Prosecution History of U.S. Patent No. 8,600,553
`Certified copy of the Prosecution History of U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233
`Certified copy of the Prosecution History of U.S. Patent No. 9,486,924
`Examiner-cited references in the Prosecution History of U.S. Patent
`No. 6,809,490
`
`viii
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 12
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`H.
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`I.
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`J.
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`K.
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`L.
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`Examiner-cited references in the Prosecution History of U.S. Patent
`No. 7,155,308
`Examiner-cited references in the Prosecution History of U.S. Patent
`No. 8,474,090
`Examiner-cited references in the Prosecution History of U.S. Patent
`No. 8,600,553
`Examiner-cited references in the Prosecution History of U.S. Patent
`No. 9,038,233
`Examiner-cited references in the Prosecution History of U.S. Patent
`No. 9,486,924
`
`ix
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 13
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`I.
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`INTRODUCTION
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`1.1
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`Complainant iRobot Corporation (“iRobot” or “Complainant”) requests that the
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`United States International Trade Commission commence an investigation pursuant to Section
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`337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. § 1337 (“Section 337”), to remedy the
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`unlawful importation into the United States, sale for importation into the United States, and/or
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`sale within the United States after importation by the owner, importer, or consignee (or agents
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`thereof), of certain robotic vacuum cleaning devices and components thereof such as spare parts
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`that infringe valid and enforceable United States patents owned by iRobot.
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`1.2
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`The Proposed Respondents are Bissell Homecare, Inc., Hoover Inc., Royal
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`Appliance Manufacturing Co. Inc. d/b/a TTI Floor Care North America, Inc., Bobsweep, Inc.,
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`Bobsweep USA, The Black & Decker Corporation, Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., Shenzhen ZhiYi
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`Technology Co., Ltd. d/b/a iLife, Matsutek Enterprises Co., Ltd., Suzhou Real Power Electric
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`Appliance Co., Ltd., and Shenzhen Silver Star Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (collectively
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`“Proposed Respondents”). Upon information and belief, Proposed Respondents have engaged in
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`unfair acts in violation of Section 337 through and in connection with the unlicensed importation
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`into the United States, sale for importation into the United States, and/or sale within the United
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`States after importation of products that infringe one or more claims of U.S. Patent No.
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`6,809,490 (the “’490 Patent”); one or more claims of U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308 (the “’308
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`Patent”); one or more claims of U.S. Patent No. 8,474,090 (the “’090 Patent”); one or more
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`claims of U.S. Patent No. 8,600,553 (the “’553 Patent”), one or more claims of U.S. Patent No.
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`9,038,233 (the “’233 Patent”),1 and/or one or more claims of U.S. Patent No. 9,486,924 (the
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`1 The ’233 Patent is related to the ’090 Patent pursuant to a continuation application.
`1
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 14
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`“’924 Patent”). The ’490, ’308, ’090, ’553, ’233, and ’924 Patents are collectively referred to
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`herein as “the Asserted Patents.”
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`1.3
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`Complainant asserts that Proposed Respondents directly infringe, contributorily
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`infringe, and/or induce the infringement of at least the following claims (independent claims in
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`bold; collectively, “the Asserted Claims”):
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`Asserted Patent
`U.S. Patent No. 6,809,490
`U.S. Patent No. 7,155,308
`U.S. Patent No. 8,474,090
`U.S. Patent No. 8,600,553
`U.S. Patent No. 9,038,233
`U.S. Patent No. 9,486,924
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`Asserted Claims
`1, 2, 3, 7, 12, 42
`1, 2, 3, 7, 11, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28, 34
`1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19
`1, 2, 4, 8, 11, 12, 21, 22, 25
`1, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16
`1, 2, 8, 9, 12, 13
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`1.4
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`Certified copies of the Asserted Patents accompany this Complaint as Exhibits 1-
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`6. iRobot owns by assignment the entire right, title, and interest in and to these patents. A
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`certified copy of the recorded assignments accompanies this Complaint as Exhibits 7-12.
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`1.5
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`As required by 19 U.S.C. § 1337(a)(2) and defined by 19 U.S.C. § 1337(a)(3), an
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`industry in the United States exists relating to articles covered by the Asserted Patents.
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`1.6
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`Complainant seeks a permanent limited exclusion order, pursuant to Section
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`337(d), excluding from entry into the United States all of Proposed Respondents’ Accused
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`Products (examples of which are described infra in Section III) that infringe one or more claims
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`of the Asserted Patents. Complainant also seeks permanent cease and desist orders, pursuant to
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`Section 337(f), directing each Proposed Respondent to cease and desist from activities including,
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`but not limited to, importing, marketing, advertising, demonstrating, warehousing inventory for
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`distribution, offering for sale, selling, distributing, servicing, repairing, maintaining,
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`2
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 15
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`programming, updating, or using such Accused Products in the United States. Complainant also
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`seeks the imposition of a bond on any imports during the Presidential review period.
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`II.
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`COMPLAINANT
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`2.1
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`iRobot Corporation (“iRobot”) is a corporation organized under the laws of the
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`State of Delaware, with its principal place of business in Bedford, Massachusetts.
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`2.2
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`iRobot (formerly IS Robotics, Inc.) was founded in 1990 by Massachusetts
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`Institute of Technology roboticists with the vision of making practical robots a reality. The
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`company has developed some of the world’s most important robots, and has a rich history
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`steeped in innovation.
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`2.3
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`iRobot robots have revealed mysteries of the Great Pyramid of Giza, found
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`harmful subsea oil in the Gulf of Mexico, and saved thousands of lives in areas of conflict and
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`crisis around the globe. iRobot engineers inspired the first Micro Rovers used by NASA,
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`changing space exploration forever, deployed the first ground robots used by U.S. Forces in
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`conflict, brought the first self-navigating FDA-approved remote presence robots to hospitals and
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`introduced the first practical home robot with Roomba®, forging a path for an entirely new
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`category in home cleaning.
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`2.4
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`Since 2002, iRobot has sold more than 15 million home robots. Prior to the sale
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`of its defense and security business unit in 2016, iRobot also sold approximately 6,000 defense
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`and security robots, most of which have been sold to the U.S. military and deployed on missions
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`in Afghanistan and Iraq, and more recently to state, local, and international government entities.
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`2.5
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`iRobot is the leader in home robotic cleaning devices, with products delivering
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`convenient, customized, powerful cleaning assistance. Among other product offerings, iRobot
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`develops, manufactures, and sells the well-known Roomba line of products, which have been
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`3
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 16
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`recognized as a market leader in robotic vacuum cleaning as well as highly preferred Braava®
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`branded products. iRobot also offers Scooba,® a floor washing robot, Mirra,® a pool cleaning
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`robot, and Looj,® a gutter cleaning robot. As an innovative company always seeking ways to
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`better serve consumers with additional features and functionality, iRobot also offers its HOME
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`App technology for remote monitoring and control of certain Roomba models.
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`2.6
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`iRobot is also committed to building a future for Science, Technology,
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`Engineering, and Math (STEM) education in the United States. Its multi-faceted outreach
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`program is a resource for students, parents, and educators to share in iRobot’s excitement for the
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`robotics industry and get an inside look at iRobot innovation. iRobot’s STEM activities reached
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`over 170,000 students, parents, and educators between 2014 and 2016.
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`2.7
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`iRobot has extensive involvement with the U.S. market with its innovative robotic
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`vacuum cleaning devices. As detailed, infra, iRobot employs hundreds of persons in the United
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`States who are dedicated to the design, research, development, testing, quality control, and
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`customer care of its robotic vacuum cleaning devices, and related accessories for U.S. customers.
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`III.
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`PROPOSED RESPONDENTS
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`A.
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`3.1
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`Bissell Homecare, Inc.
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`On information and belief, Bissell Homecare, Inc. is a corporation organized
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`under the laws of the State of Michigan, having a principal place of business located at 2345
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`Walker Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49544.
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`3.2
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`According to its website (https://www.bissell.com/vacuums/robotic-vacuums),
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`Bissell Homecare, Inc., or others on its behalf, offers for sale the SmartClean® line of robotic
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`vacuum cleaning products. See Exhibit 13. For example, the SmartClean line of products
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`includes at least the Model 1605C and Model 1974 Robotic Vacuums (“Bissell Accused
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`Products”). See id. Moreover, according to its website, Bissell has announced as “Available
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 17
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`Soon” an additional robotic vacuum cleaning product, the SmartClean Connected Robotic
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`Vacuum Model 2147, that appears to practice one or more of the Asserted Claims (“Upcoming
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`Bissell Accused Product”). See Exhibit 115.
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`3.3
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`On information and belief, Bissell Homecare, Inc., or others on its behalf, imports
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`the Bissell Accused Products into the United States, sells them for importation into the United
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`States, and/or sells them after importation into the United States.
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`B.
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`3.4
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`Hoover, Inc.
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`On information and belief, Hoover Inc. is a corporation organized under the laws
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`of the State of Delaware, having a principal place of business located at 7005 Cochran Road,
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`Glenwillow, Ohio 44139.
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`3.5
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`According to its website (https://hoover.com/products/category/robot-vacuums/),
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`Hoover Inc., or others on its behalf, offers for sale the Quest™ line of robotic vacuum cleaning
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`products. See Exhibit 14. For example, the Quest line of products includes at least the Quest
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`700 (Model BH70700), Quest 800 (Model BH70800), and Quest 1000 (Model BH71000) robot
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`vacuums (“Hoover Accused Products”). See id.
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`3.6
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`On information and belief, Hoover Inc., or others on its behalf, imports the
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`Hoover Accused Products into the United States, sells them for importation into the United
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`States, and/or sells them after importation into the United States.
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`C.
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`Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. Inc.
`d/b/a TTI Floor Care North America, Inc.
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`3.7
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`On information and belief, Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. Inc. is a
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`corporation organized under the laws of the State of Ohio, having a principal place of business
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`located at 7005 Cochran Road, Glenwillow, Ohio 44139. On information and belief, Royal
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`5
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`Silver Star Exhibit 1003 - 18
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`Appliance Manufacturing Co. Inc. is a subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Company Limited that
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`does business under the name TTI Floor Care North America, Inc. See Exhibits 15, 16, 17.
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`3.8
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`On information and belief, Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. Inc., or others on
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`its behalf, imports the Hoover Accused Products into the United States, sells them for
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`importation into the United States, and/or sells them after importation into the United States.
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`3.9
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`For example, the website (https://hoover.com/products/category/robot-vacuums/)
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`at which the Hoover Quest line of products is available for sale, states “Today, Hoover is pa