Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 1 of 35
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`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
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`Civil Action No.: 21-cv-1578
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`Jury Trial Demanded
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`MOLO DESIGN, LTD.,
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`Plaintiff,
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`v.
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`CHANEL, INC.,
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`Defendant.
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`Plaintiff Molo Design, Ltd. (“Molo” or “Plaintiff”) brings this action for patent
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`COMPLAINT
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`infringement against Chanel, Inc. (“Chanel” or “Defendant”).
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`THE PARTIES
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`1.
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`Plaintiff Molo is a Canadian limited liability company having its principal place of
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`business at 1470 Venables Street, Vancouver BC V5L 2G7.
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`2.
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`Upon information and belief, defendant Chanel is a New York corporation with its
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`principal place of business at 9 West 57th Street, New York, NY, 10019.
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`JURISDICTION
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`3.
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`This is a civil action for patent infringement under the patent laws of the United
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`States, 35 U.S.C. §§ 1, et seq. This Court has original jurisdiction over the subject matter of this
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`Complaint under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a).
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`4.
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`Upon information and belief, this Court has personal jurisdiction over Chanel
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`because, inter alia, Chanel is incorporated in New York and maintains its principal place of
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`business in New York; has substantial, continuous, and systematic contacts within the State of
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`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 2 of 35
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`New York; markets, sells, and/or distributes products to residents of the State of New York; and
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`enjoys substantial income from sales of its products in the State of New York. In addition, Chanel
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`has infringed one or more claims of the Asserted Patents in this judicial district.
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`VENUE
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`5.
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`Venue is proper in this Judicial District under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1400 and 1391, at least
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`because Chanel is incorporated in the State of New York, maintains its principal place of business
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`and registered offices in this District, and/or has a regular and established place of business in this
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`district and has committed acts of infringement in this district. Accordingly, Chanel resides in
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`New York and in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1400(b).
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`BACKGROUND
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`6.
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`Molo incorporates and realleges the foregoing paragraphs as though fully set forth
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`herein.
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`7.
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`Molo is a design and production studio, based in Vancouver, Canada, that is led by
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`Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen. Ms. Forsythe and Mr. MacAllen first began working
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`together in architecture school, going on to win a number of accolades for design projects and
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`conceptual ideas, including the Grand Prize in the Aomori Northern Style Housing Competition
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`in Japan. Throughout their careers, Ms. Forsythe and Mr. MacAllen have also been inspired by
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`the concept of smaller, tactile objects having true potency in the experience of space.
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`8.
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`Drawing on these experiences, Ms. Forsythe and Mr. MacAllen formed Molo to
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`explore how furniture can heighten the sense of human scale and experience, as well as how
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`furniture and product design can benefit from thinking in the larger context of place and space
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`making. Molo follows these principles in making a variety of products that are balanced between
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`the realms of art, design, and architecture. Among other products, Molo makes award-winning
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`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 3 of 35
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`flexible space partitions—known as softwall + softblock products—that exemplify its exploration
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`of experiential space making. Examples of these products are illustrated below:
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`9.
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`Examples of these products used by Molo’s customers are illustrated below:
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`Bottega Venata Store
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`Repetto brand products at
`Le Bon Marche Store
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`10.
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`Thanks to Ms. Forsythe’s and Mr. MacAllen’s constant search for innovation and
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`remarkable creativity, Molo has collected, in the almost two decades since its foundation, an
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`impressive list of orders, successes and awards. Molo’s designs have been recognized in the design
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`industry for their poetic beauty and pragmatic innovation. Among other accolades, Molo has been
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`honored with the Gold Award at the 2015 Awards for Design Excellence; the Best of NeoCon
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`Award for Architectural Products; the prestigious Danish INDEX award; and has been
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`commended in the 2012 World Architecture News Awards for “Lighting Product of the Year.”
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`11.
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`Leading retailers and design companies, including Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes
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`recognize Molo’s design and innovation and have purchased Molo’s softwall + softblock products.
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`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 5 of 35
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`United States based clients that have also purchased Molo softwall + softblock products include at
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`least Nike, Estee Lauder, Levi Strauss & Co, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Vanity Fair, Condé
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`Nast, NASA, MasterCard, Google, Facebook, Instagram, and Ebay. Molo’s softwall + softblock
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`products can also be seen in retail settings, showrooms, commercial spaces, offices and exhibitions
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`across the world, including in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Austin, Detroit, Los Angeles, San
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`Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Berlin, London, Copenhagen, Shanghai,
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`and Tokyo.
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`12. Molo also invests in and ensures the quality and safety of their softwall + softblock
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`products with fire ratings, electrical certifications, and Forestry Stewardship Council certifications
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`in their use of paper.
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`13.
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`On information and belief, Molo and Chanel have had discussions and exchanges
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`since at least 2014, when a Chanel employee expressed interest in Molo’s collection, including its
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`black textile softwall + softblock products. Subsequently, in 2016, one of Chanel’s executive
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`directors visited Molo at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (“ICFF”) in New York
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`City. The following year, the same executive director ordered samples of Molo’s softwall +
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`softblock product.
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`14.
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`In or around October 2020, Substrate—a company that, on information and belief,
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`specializes in retail window displays, architectural interiors, and display rollouts—contacted Molo
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`regarding the use of its softwall + softblock products in an upcoming retail rollout for Chanel.
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`Substrate provided concept materials for the rollout and indicated that it would involve window
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`displays in at least 26 Chanel stores across the United States. Substrate confirmed that Chanel was
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`interested in Molo’s softwall + softblock flexible product with both white and black colors, as well
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`as Molo’s softwall + softblock products with integrated LED lighting. Substrate even remarked
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`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 6 of 35
`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 6 of 35
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`to Molothat, in regards to the Chanelproject, “it seems like Molo was madeexactly for this retail
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`rollout!”
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`15.
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`In response to Substrate’s inquiry, Molo provided detailed information regarding
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`its softwall + softblock products, including links to image galleries of its products used inretail
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`settings and showroomsall around the world. In addition, Molo provided technical specifications,
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`certifications, and use guidesfor its softwall + softblock products. Notably, as illustrated below,
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`Molo’s specifications not only confirm that its softwall + softblock products are protected by one
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`or more patents, but they specifically direct customers to Molo’s virtual marking website at
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`https://molodesign.com/ip/.
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`TEU TUTTE
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`(cid:3)
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`1470 Venables Street
`Vancouver, BC
`Canada V5L 2G7
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`www.molodesign.com|held by molo, viewable at molodesign com/ip
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`Designed by Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen, manufactured by
`+16046850340|Molo and protected by one or more patents and/or design registrations
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`16.
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`Givenits understanding that Chanel’s anticipated rollout was imminent—and in
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`view of several other large product orders pending from other Molo customers—Molo followed
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`up with Substrate over the ensuing weeks regarding Chanel’s needs. Subsequently, on or around
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`November 17, 2020, Substrate informed Molo that the project was on hold dueto otherpriorities,
`(cid:49)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:88)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:48)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:77)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3)
`
`but advised Molo to check in again in December. After doing so, Molo’s individual contact at
`(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:48)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:73)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:82)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:82)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:48)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:182)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3)
`
`Substrate indicated on or around December 15, 2020, that they were no longer working on the
`(cid:54)(cid:88)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:24)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:78)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)
`
`project.
`(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:77)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:17)(cid:3)
`
`(cid:16)(cid:25)(cid:16)(cid:3)
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 7 of 35
`
`17.
`
`During this period, Molo was also contacted by InLuce, which on information and
`
`belief is a visual merchandising agency in Europe, regarding similar advertising displays for
`
`Chanel in Europe. As it did with Substrate, Molo provided detailed information regarding its
`
`softwall + softblock products to InLuce, including technical specifications, certifications, and user
`
`guides. InLuce responded by providing estimated quantities of softwall + softblock products that
`
`would be needed for the rollout, in both white and black paper.
`
`18.
`
`After additional discussions, InLuce subsequently informed Molo that Chanel had
`
`pushed InLuce to use another supplier instead of Molo. In response, Molo specifically pointed out
`
`to InLuce that its designs were patented. Molo also explained that its products were superior to
`
`other products and reproductions in the marketplace.
`
`19.
`
`A few short months later, in or around February 2021, Molo became aware that
`
`Chanel stores in the United States—including multiple stores in New York City—had installed
`
`displays using materials that copied its patented softwall + softblock products. A Molo client
`
`walking by a Chanel store even thought that Molo’s softwall + softblock products were used in the
`
`Chanel window display, and congratulated Molo without knowing that the display materials are
`
`actually unsanctioned copies of Molo’s patented products. Molo has also been made aware of
`
`Chanel stores in other cities and countries around the world that are using products that copy
`
`Molo’s patented softwall + softblock products. None of these copies are authorized by Molo. As
`
`illustrated below, these displays were placed at least in Chanel stores in the Upper East Side,
`
`Midtown Manhattan, and Soho.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-7-
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 8 of 35
`
`Window Display
`Chanel Store in Upper East Side
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Window Display
`Chanel Store in Midtown Manhattan
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-8-
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 9 of 35
`
`Window Display
`Chanel Store in Soho
`
`
`
`
`
`
`20. Molo was shocked and hurt when it learned that infringing copies of its products
`
`had been authorized by Chanel, who Molo presumed shared the same values regarding, design,
`
`creativity and innovation. Molo has been damaged at least financially and in brand value by the
`
`copied material in Chanel stores in the United States and around the world.
`
`21.
`
`As described below, these reproductions infringe one or more claims of Molo’s
`
`patents for its softwall + softblock products.
`
`22.
`
`On information and belief, Molo alleges that, all times relevant hereto, Substrate
`
`Fabrication and InLuce were agents for Chanel and acted within the scope of their agency, or
`
`otherwise acted at Chanel’s direction and on Chanel’s behalf. Further, on information and belief,
`
`Molo alleges that Chanel actively participated in, ratified, and/or adopted each of the acts alleged
`
`herein with full knowledge of all facts or circumstances, including full knowledge of Molo’s
`
`patents and each violation of Molo’s patent rights.
`
`-9-
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 10 of 35
`
`COUNT I: INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 7,866,366
`
`23. Molo incorporates and realleges the foregoing paragraphs as though fully set forth
`
`herein.
`
`24.
`
`On January 12, 2011, the USPTO duly and legally issued United States Patent No.
`
`7,866,366 (“the ’366 Patent”), entitled “Flexible Furniture System.” A true and correct copy of
`
`the ’366 Patent is attached as Exhibit A.
`
`25. Molo is the owner, by assignment, of the ’366 Patent. Molo holds all right, title,
`
`and interest in and to the ’366 Patent, including the right to enforce the ’366 Patent and sue and
`
`recover damages for infringement thereof.
`
`26.
`
`Claim 1 of the ’366 Patent recites: “An article of flexible furniture having a core
`
`formed from a plurality of laminar panels of a flaccid material and each panel having a pair of
`
`oppositely directed major faces, adjacent faces of said panels being inter-connected to provide a
`
`cellular structure upon movement of abutting faces away from each other, a pair of supports at
`
`opposite ends of said core and connected to respective ones of said faces, said supports being self-
`
`supporting to provide rigidity to said core whereby said supports may be moved apart to expand
`
`said cellular structure and extend the length of said core and flexible so as to be foldable into a
`
`tubular configuration about an axis parallel to said major faces, and a plurality of fasteners on each
`
`of said supports to secure said supports in said tubular configuration and to permit connection to
`
`an adjacent support of another similar article.”
`
`27.
`
`On information and belief, and pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271(a), Defendants have
`
`been and are now directly infringing, literally and/or under the doctrine or equivalents, at least
`
`claim 1 of the ’366 Patent by making, using, offering to sell, selling (directly or through
`
`intermediaries), and/or importing, in this District and elsewhere in the United States, flexible
`
`softwall displays.
`
`-10-
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 11 of 35
`
`28.
`
`On information and belief, and as illustrated in the figures below, Defendants’
`
`softwall displays are articles of flexible furniture having a core formed from a plurality of laminar
`
`panels, in which each panel has a pair of oppositely directed major faces. Specifically, Defendants’
`
`softwall displays comprise a core formed by a plurality of laminar panels, made of paper, in which
`
`each panel has a pair of oppositely directed major faces. On information and belief, and as
`
`illustrated in the figure below, the adjacent faces of these panels are inter-connected to provide a
`
`cellular structure upon movement of abutting faces away from each other.
`
`
`
`Interconnected Paper Core
`forming a Cellular Structure
`in Defendants’ Softwall Display
`
`
`Figures of the ’366 Patent
`Illustrating Cellular Structure of
`Interconnected Paper Core
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-11-
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 12 of 35
`
`
`
`Interconnected Paper Core
`forming a Cellular Structure
`in Defendants’ Softwall Display
`
`Figures of the ’366 Patent
`Illustrating Cellular Structure of
`Interconnected Paper Core
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-12-
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 13 of 35
`
`29.
`
`Upon information and belief, and as illustrated below, Defendants’ softwall
`
`displays also include a pair of supports at opposite ends of the core, which are connected to the
`
`faces.
`
`Supports At End of Core In
`Defendants’ Softwall Displays
`
`
`Illustrations of Supports At
`End of Core in the ’366 Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-13-
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 14 of 35
`
`(cid:22)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:3)
`
`(cid:56)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:182)(cid:3)
`
`(cid:86)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:87)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)
`
`(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:41)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:88)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:86)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:3)
`
`(cid:86)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:73)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:91)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)
`
`(cid:54)(cid:88)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:41)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:55)(cid:88)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:73)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)
`(cid:44)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:182)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:87)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:3)
`
`(cid:44)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:3)(cid:55)(cid:88)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:3)
`(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:73)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:182)(cid:22)(cid:25)(cid:25)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)
`
`Axis
`
`Axis
`
`(cid:3)
`
`(cid:3)
`
`Axis
`
`(cid:3)
`
`(cid:3)
`
`(cid:3)
`
`(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:23)(cid:16)(cid:3)
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 15 of 35
`
`31.
`
`Upon information and belief, and as illustrated below, Defendants’ softwall
`
`displays also include a plurality of fasteners on each of the supports to secure them in a tubular
`
`configuration and to permit connection to an adjacent support. For example, on information and
`
`belief, Defendants’ softwall displays use at least a plurality of pieces of tape to secure the tubular
`
`configuration.
`
`Supports Secured by Tape in Defendants’ Softwall Display
`(circled below)
`
`
`32.
`
`Accordingly, for at least these reasons, Defendants have infringed, and continue to
`
`
`
`
`
`infringe, one or more claims of the ’366 Patent.
`
`33. Moreover, Defendants’ infringement of the ’366 Patent has been willful, deliberate,
`
`and in reckless disregard of Molo’s patent rights. On information and belief, Chanel has been
`
`aware of Molo and its products since at least 2014, when a Chanel employee expressed interest in
`
`Molo’s collection. Subsequently, in 2016, one of Chanel’s executive directors visited Molo at the
`
`-15-
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document 1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 16 of 35
`Case 1:21-cv-01578-VEC Document1 Filed 02/22/21 Page 16 of 35
`
`International Contemporary Furniture Fair (“ICFF”) in New York City. The following year, the
`(cid:44)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:41)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:41)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:179)(cid:44)(cid:38)(cid:41)(cid:41)(cid:180)(cid:12)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:49)(cid:72)(cid:90)(cid:3)(cid:60)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:55)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:92)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)
`
`same executive director ordered Molo’s softwall + softblock product that, on information and
`(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:88)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:48)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:182)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:87)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:3) (cid:14)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:87)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:3) (cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:87)(c