throbber
Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 1 of 23 PageID #: 1772
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
`TYLER DIVISION
`
`
`
`Civil Action No. 6:14-cv-982
`
`(Consolidated Lead Case)
`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
`
`
`Civil Action No. 6:14-cv-983
`
`
`CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS
`EQUIPMENT LLC,
`Plaintiff,
`
`v.
`
`LG ELECTRONICS, INC., et al.,
`Defendants.
`
`
`CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS
`EQUIPMENT LLC,
`Plaintiff,
`
`v.
`
`SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS
`INC., et al.,
`Defendants.
`
`
`AT&T MOBILITY LLC’S ANSWER
`TO PLAINTIFF’S FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
`
`
`
`Defendant AT&T Mobility LLC (“AT&T”), by and through its undersigned attorneys,
`
`hereby responds to the First Amended Complaint of Plaintiff Cellular Communications
`
`Equipment, LLC (“CCE”) (“Complaint”), with the following Answer and Defenses.
`
`GENERAL DENIAL
`
`
`
`Unless specifically admitted below, AT&T denies each and every allegation in the
`
`Complaint. To the extent the headings of the Complaint are construed as allegations, they are
`
`each denied.
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 2 of 23 PageID #: 1773
`
`THE PARTIES
`
`1.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 1 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`2.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 2 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`3.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 3 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`4.
`
`AT&T admits that it is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the
`
`State of Delaware and has a principal place of business in Atlanta, Georgia. AT&T admits it has
`
`transacted business in the state of Texas and in the Eastern District of Texas, but denies any
`
`wrongdoing or infringement. AT&T admits it can be served through The Corporation Trust
`
`Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. AT&T
`
`denies all remaining allegations of Paragraph 4.
`
`5.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 5 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`6.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 6 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`7.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 7 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`8.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 8 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`
`
`- 2 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 3 of 23 PageID #: 1774
`
`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
`
`9.
`
`AT&T admits that the Complaint purports to set forth a patent infringement action
`
`arising under the patent laws of the United States, Title 35 of the United States Code. AT&T
`
`denies all remaining allegations of Paragraph 9.
`
`10.
`
`To the extent that the allegations of Paragraph 10 of the Complaint set forth legal
`
`conclusions, no response is required. AT&T admits that this Court has subject matter
`
`jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a) over actions arising under the patent laws
`
`of the United States. AT&T denies all remaining allegations of Paragraph 10.
`
`11.
`
`To the extent that the allegations of Paragraph 11 of the Complaint set forth legal
`
`conclusions, no response is required. AT&T admits it has transacted business in this district.
`
`AT&T denies that it has committed any act of patent infringement in this district or any other
`
`judicial district. AT&T denies all remaining allegations in Paragraph 11.
`
`12.
`
`To the extent that the allegations of Paragraph 12 of the Complaint set forth legal
`
`conclusions, no response is required. AT&T admits it has transacted business in this district.
`
`AT&T denies that it has committed any act of patent infringement in this district or any other
`
`judicial district. AT&T denies all remaining allegations in Paragraph 12.
`
`13.
`
`AT&T admits it has transacted business in this district. AT&T denies that it has
`
`committed any act of patent infringement in this district or any other judicial district. AT&T
`
`denies all remaining allegations in Paragraph 13.
`
`COUNT I—ALLEGED INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 8,385,966
`
`14.
`
`AT&T re-alleges and reincorporate its answers to Paragraphs 1-13 of the
`
`Complaint as if fully set forth herein.
`
`
`
`- 3 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 4 of 23 PageID #: 1775
`
`15.
`
`AT&T admits that the cover page of U.S. Patent No. 8,385,966 (“’966 Patent”)
`
`states that its title is “Method, Apparatus, and Computer Program for Power Control Related to
`
`Random Access Procedures.” AT&T admits that what purports to be a copy of the ’966 Patent is
`
`attached as Exhibit A to the Complaint. AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to
`
`form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations of Paragraph 19 of the Complaint, and
`
`therefore denies the same.
`
`16.
`
`17.
`
`18.
`
`19.
`
`20.
`
`Denied.
`
`Denied.
`
`Denied.
`
`Denied.
`
`AT&T denies the allegations in Paragraph 20 as to AT&T Mobility LLC. AT&T
`
`lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining
`
`allegations of Paragraph 20 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`21.
`
`22.
`
`23.
`
`24.
`
`25.
`
`26.
`
`Denied.
`
`Denied.
`
`Denied.
`
`Denied.
`
`Denied.
`
`AT&T admits that it has provided Sony brand devices. AT&T denies all
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 26.
`
`27.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 27 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`
`
`- 4 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 5 of 23 PageID #: 1776
`
`28.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 28 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`29.
`
`Denied.
`
`COUNT II—ALLEGED INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 8,848,556
`
`30.
`
`AT&T re-alleges and reincorporate its answers to Paragraphs 1-29 of the
`
`Complaint as if fully set forth herein.
`
`31.
`
`AT&T admits that the cover page of U.S. Patent No. 8,848,556 (“’556 Patent”)
`
`states that its title is “Carrier Aggregation with Power Headroom Report.” AT&T admits that
`
`what purports to be a copy of the ’556 Patent is attached as Exhibit B to the Complaint. AT&T
`
`lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining
`
`allegations of Paragraph 36 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`32.
`
`33.
`
`Denied.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 33 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`34.
`
`35.
`
`Denied.
`
`AT&T denies the allegations in Paragraph 35 as to AT&T Mobility LLC. AT&T
`
`lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining
`
`allegations of Paragraph 35 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`36.
`
`AT&T denies the allegations in Paragraph 36 as to AT&T Mobility LLC. AT&T
`
`lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining
`
`allegations of Paragraph 36 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`37.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 37 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`
`
`- 5 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 6 of 23 PageID #: 1777
`
`38.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 38 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`39.
`
`Denied.
`
`COUNT III—ALLEGED INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 8,868,060
`
`40.
`
`AT&T re-alleges and reincorporate its answers to Paragraphs 1-39 of the
`
`Complaint as if fully set forth herein.
`
`41.
`
`AT&T admits that the cover page of U.S. Patent No. 8,868,060 (“’060 Patent”)
`
`states that its title is “Method, Network and Device for Information Provision by Using Paging
`
`and Cell Broadcast Services.” AT&T admits that what purports to be a copy of the ’060 Patent
`
`is attached as Exhibit C to the Complaint. AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to
`
`form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations of Paragraph 47 of the Complaint, and
`
`therefore denies the same.
`
`42.
`
`43.
`
`Denied.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 43 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`44.
`
`45.
`
`46.
`
`Denied.
`
`Denied.
`
`AT&T denies the allegations in Paragraph 46 as to AT&T Mobility LLC. AT&T
`
`lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining
`
`allegations of Paragraph 46 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`47.
`
`AT&T denies the allegations in Paragraph 47 as to AT&T Mobility LLC. AT&T
`
`lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining
`
`allegations of Paragraph 46 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`
`
`- 6 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 7 of 23 PageID #: 1778
`
`48.
`
`AT&T denies the allegations in Paragraph 48 as to AT&T Mobility LLC. AT&T
`
`lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining
`
`allegations of Paragraph 48 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`49.
`
`AT&T denies the allegations in Paragraph 49 as to AT&T Mobility LLC. AT&T
`
`lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining
`
`allegations of Paragraph 49 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`50.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 50 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`51.
`
`AT&T denies the allegations in Paragraph 51 as to AT&T Mobility LLC. AT&T
`
`lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining
`
`allegations of Paragraph 51 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`52.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 52 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`53.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 53 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`54.
`
`Denied.
`
`JOINDER OF PARTIES
`
`55.
`
`AT&T re-alleges and reincorporate its answers to Paragraphs 1-55 of the
`
`Complaint as if fully set forth herein.
`
`56.
`
`AT&T admits that it has provided Sony brand devices. AT&T denies all
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 56.
`
`57.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 57 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`
`
`- 7 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 8 of 23 PageID #: 1779
`
`58.
`
`AT&T lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
`
`the allegations of Paragraph 58 of the Complaint, and therefore denies the same.
`
`59.
`
`Denied.
`
`JURY DEMAND
`
`Plaintiff’s demand for a jury trial does not require a response.
`
`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
`
`AT&T denies that Plaintiff is entitled to any relief whatsoever against AT&T, either as
`
`
`
`
`
`prayed for in the Complaint or otherwise.
`
`ADDITIONAL DEFENSES
`
`AT&T alleges and asserts the following additional defenses in response to the allegations
`
`of the Complaint, undertaking the burden of proof only as to those defenses required by law,
`
`regardless of how such defenses are denominated herein. In addition to defenses pleaded herein,
`
`AT&T reserves the right to allege additional defenses that become known through the course of
`
`discovery or otherwise.
`
`FIRST DEFENSE
`
`(FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM)
`
`60.
`
`The Complaint fails to state a claim against AT&T upon which relief can be
`
`granted.
`
`SECOND DEFENSE
`
`(NON-INFRINGEMENT)
`
`61.
`
`AT&T does not infringe and has not infringed, literally or by the doctrine of
`
`equivalents, any valid and enforceable claim of the ’060 Patent, ’556 Patent, or ’966 Patent
`
`
`
`- 8 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 9 of 23 PageID #: 1780
`
`(collectively, the “Asserted Patents”), either directly, contributorily, by inducement, jointly, or in
`
`any other manner.
`
`THIRD DEFENSE
`
`(PROSECUTION HISTORY ESTOPPEL)
`
`62.
`
`Plaintiff is estopped from construing any of the claims of the Asserted Patents in
`
`such a way as may cover, encompass, and/or include AT&T’s products, services, or activities
`
`and/or has waived any right to do so by reason of amendment, cancellation, and/or abandonment
`
`of claims, and/or admissions, representations, and/or statements made by or on behalf of the
`
`applicants, in any proceedings before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
`
`FOURTH DEFENSE
`
`(INVALIDITY)
`
`63.
`
`Each and every claim of the Asserted Patents is invalid for failure to meet the
`
`requirements of Title 35, United States Code, including but not limited to Sections 101, 102, 103,
`
`and/or 112 thereof, and the rules, regulations, and laws pertaining thereto.
`
`64.
`
`Each and every claim of the Asserted Patents is invalid for double patenting.
`
`FIFTH DEFENSE
`
`(35 U.S.C. § 286)
`
`65.
`
`Plaintiff’s claims for relief and prayer for damages are limited by 35 U.S.C. §
`
`286.
`
`
`
`- 9 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 10 of 23 PageID #: 1781
`
`SIXTH DEFENSE
`
`(35 U.S.C. § 287)
`
`66.
`
`Upon information and belief, the relief sought by Plaintiff is barred or limited in
`
`whole or in part by the failure to mark, by Plaintiff or by one or more parties licensed or
`
`otherwise authorized to practice the Asserted Patents, as required by 35 U.S.C. § 287.
`
`SEVENTH DEFENSE
`
`(28 U.S.C. § 1498)
`
`67.
`
`To the extent that any accused product has been used or manufactured by or for
`
`the United States Government, Plaintiff’s claims and demands for relief are barred by 28 U.S.C.
`
`§ 1498.
`
`EIGHTH DEFENSE
`
`(STANDING)
`
`68.
`
`Plaintiff lacks standing to bring this suit because, as shown on the face of the
`
`Asserted Patents, Plaintiff is not the assignee of the Asserted Patents. Plaintiff also lacks
`
`standing to bring this suit to the extent that Plaintiff and/or its predecessors-in-interest lacked
`
`ownership of the Asserted Patents at any relevant time. In addition, Plaintiff lacks standing to
`
`bring this suit to the extent that Plaintiff lacks all substantial rights to the Asserted Patents.
`
`NINTH DEFENSE
`
`(LICENSE)
`
`69.
`
`Plaintiff’s claims for relief are barred in whole or in part by express or implied
`
`license.
`
`70.
`
`CCE and/or its predecessors have engaged in standard-setting misconduct,
`
`including without limitation, CCE and/or its predecessors breach of its commitment to offer
`
`
`
`- 10 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 11 of 23 PageID #: 1782
`
`FRAND license terms for the patents asserted in the Complaint and breach of their disclosure
`
`requirements or based on other circumstances.
`
`71.
`
`Furthermore, NSN issued a written declaration to the SSO, committing to license
`
`its Declared-Essential Patents to all implementers of the LTE standard on fair, reasonable, and
`
`non-discriminatory (“FRAND”) terms, but when 3GPP was considering alternative technologies,
`
`deliberately and deceptively concealed from 3GPP and its constituent SSOs that it in fact would
`
`not offer FRAND license terms. Accordingly, as to all patents CCE and NSN has declared
`
`essential to the LTE standard, AT&T is at the very least entitled to a license on FRAND terms.
`
`TENTH DEFENSE
`
`(PATENT EXHAUSTION)
`
`72.
`
`Plaintiff’s claims for relief are barred in whole or in part by the doctrine of patent
`
`exhaustion.
`
`ELEVENTH DEFENSE
`
`(WAIVER, ESTOPPEL, CLAIM PRECLUSION, LACHES, UNCLEAN HANDS)
`
`73.
`
`Plaintiff’s claims against AT&T regarding the Asserted Patents are barred by the
`
`equitable doctrines of waiver, estoppel, claim preclusion, laches, and/or unclean hands.
`
`74.
`
`CCE and/or its predecessors have engaged in standard-setting misconduct,
`
`including without limitation, CCE and/or its predecessors breach of its commitment to offer
`
`FRAND license terms for the patents asserted in the Complaint and breach of their disclosure
`
`requirements or based on other circumstances.
`
`75.
`
`Furthermore, NSN issued a written declaration to the SSO, committing to license
`
`its Declared-Essential Patents to all implementers of the LTE standard on fair, reasonable, and
`
`non-discriminatory (“FRAND”) terms, but when 3GPP was considering alternative technologies,
`
`
`
`- 11 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 12 of 23 PageID #: 1783
`
`deliberately and deceptively concealed from 3GPP and its constituent SSOs that it in fact would
`
`not offer FRAND license terms. Accordingly, as to all patents CCE and NSN has declared
`
`essential to the LTE standard, AT&T is at the very least entitled to a license on FRAND terms.
`
`TWELFTH DEFENSE
`
`(UNENFORCEABILITY OF ’966 PATENT DUE TO IMPLIED WAIVER)
`
`76.
`
`CCE and/or its predecessors-in-interest with respect to one or more of the
`
`Asserted Patents have engaged in standards-setting misconduct, including without limitation
`
`breach of the commitment to license one or more of the Asserted Patents on fair, reasonable, and
`
`nondiscriminatory terms and CCE’s breach of its patent disclosure requirements or based on
`
`other circumstances.
`
`77.
`
`At various times, Nokia Siemens Networks (“NSN”), a predecessor-in-interest of
`
`CCE, declared the Asserted Patents to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute
`
`(“ETSI”), a leading standard-setting organization (“SSO”), as purportedly essential to practice
`
`the Long-Term Evolution (“LTE”) standard, one of the world’s most widely adopted
`
`telecommunications standard. (The patents NSN has declared essential to the LTE standard are
`
`referred to collectively herein as the “Declared-Essential Patents”). Time and again, however,
`
`NSN deliberately and deceptively failed to disclose its purported intellectual property rights
`
`(“IPR”) to the Third Generation Platform Partnership (“3GPP”), the SSO that set the LTE
`
`standard, before its members decided to incorporate into the standard technologies purportedly
`
`covered by NSN’s patents, in violation of ETSI’s IPR policy. Furthermore, NSN issued a written
`
`declaration to the SSO, committing to license its Declared-Essential Patents to all implementers
`
`of the LTE standard on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (“FRAND”) terms, but when
`
`3GPP was considering alternative technologies, deliberately and deceptively concealed from
`
`
`
`- 12 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 13 of 23 PageID #: 1784
`
`3GPP and its constituent SSOs that it in fact would not offer FRAND license terms.
`
`Accordingly, as to all patents CCE and NSN has declared essential to the LTE standard, AT&T
`
`is at the very least entitled to a license on FRAND terms.
`
`78.
`
`The Third Generation Partnership Project (“3GPP”) is a collaborative project that
`
`develops globally applicable standard specifications for fourth generation (“4G”) mobile phones
`
`and other telecommunications systems.
`
`79.
`
`80.
`
`3GPP was established on or around December 1998.
`
`3GPP’s standardization efforts include Third Generation Wideband Code
`
`Division Multiple Access cellular standards.
`
`81.
`
`3GPP is composed of Organizational Partners and Individual Members.
`
`Organizational Partners are standard-setting organizations. The European Telecommunications
`
`Standards Institute (“ETSI”) is an Organizational Partner of 3GPP. The Individual Members of
`
`3GPP are members of the Organizational Partners of 3GPP, including members of ETSI.
`
`82.
`
`On information and belief supported by publicly available documents, CCE’s
`
`predecessor-in-interest NSN has been a member of ETSI and 3GPP.
`
`83.
`
`As an individual member of 3GPP, CCE’s predecessor-in-interest NSN was
`
`required to comply with 3GPP’s intellectual property rights policy (“IPR Policy”).
`
`84.
`
`On information and belief supported by publicly available documents, 3GPP’s
`
`IPR Policy states that its Individual Members are bound by the IPR Policy of their respective
`
`Organizational Partner. 3GPP’s IPR Policy requires its Individual Members to declare to their
`
`Organizational Partners any IPR that they believe to be essential, or potentially essential, to any
`
`work being conducted within 3GPP; the IPR Policy also requires Organizational Partners to
`
`
`
`- 13 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 14 of 23 PageID #: 1785
`
`“encourage their respective members to grant licenses on fair, reasonable terms and conditions
`
`and on a non-discriminatory basis.”
`
`85.
`
`As members of ETSI, CCE’s predecessor-in-interest NSN was required to comply
`
`with ETSI’s IPR Policy.
`
`86.
`
`To facilitate its standard setting activity, ETSI promulgated an IPR policy, set
`
`forth in Annex 6 of its Rules of Procedure.
`
`87.
`
`Clause 4 of the policy requires, among other things, that members timely disclose
`
`to the organization any IPR they own that may be essential to standards that have been developed
`
`or are being developed. Participants in ETSI standard development understand that this provision
`
`requires disclosure of all IPR that they believe might be essential to standards under
`
`consideration. Clause 4 requires in particular that a participant submitting a technical
`
`specification to ETSI, as NSN did, make ETSI aware of any IPR that might be essential if that
`
`proposal is adopted. Clause 4.1 states:
`
`[E]ach MEMBER shall use its reasonable endeavors, in particular during the
`
`development of a STANDARD or TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION where it participates,
`
`to inform ETSI of ESSENTIAL IPRs in a timely fashion. In particular, a MEMBER
`
`submitting a technical proposal for a STANDARD or TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
`
`shall, on a bona fide basis, draw the attention of ETSI to any of that MEMBER’s IPR
`
`which might be ESSENTIAL if that proposal is adopted.
`
`88.
`
`Under ETSI’s IPR policies, the term “IPR” is defined to include patent
`
`applications as well as issued patents:
`
`“IPR” shall mean any intellectual property right conferred by statute law including
`
`applications therefore other than trademarks.
`
`
`
`- 14 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 15 of 23 PageID #: 1786
`
`89.
`
`Clause 6 of ETSI’s IPR policy governs the availability of licenses to essential
`
`IPR. In relevant part, Clause 6.1 states:
`
`When an ESSENTIAL IPR relating to a particular STANDARD or TECHNICAL
`
`SPECIFICATION is brought to the attention of ETSI, the Director-General of ETSI shall
`
`immediately request the owner to give within three months an irrevocable undertaking in
`
`writing that it is prepared to grant irrevocable licenses on fair, reasonable and non-
`
`discriminatory [FRAND] terms and conditions under such IPR to at least the following
`
`extent:
`
`• MANUFACTURE, including the right to make or have made customized components
`
`and sub-systems to the licensee’s own design for use in MANUFACTURE;
`
`• sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of EQUIPMENT so MANUFACTURED;
`
`• repair, use, or operate EQUIPMENT; and
`
`• use METHODS.
`
`90.
`
`The above undertaking may be made subject to the condition that those who seek
`
`licenses agree to reciprocate.
`
`91.
`
`If an owner of an essential IPR refuses to undertake a FRAND commitment with
`
`respect to that IPR, then, as provided in Section 8 of the ETSI IPR Policy, ETSI may suspend
`
`work on relevant parts of the standard or redesign the standard to render the IPR non-essential.
`
`92.
`
`ETSI’s IPR Policy was designed to benefit all ETSI members, as well as all other
`
`parties that implement an ETSI standard. In particular, the stated objective of the policy,
`
`described in Clause 3.1, is to “reduce the risk” to those implementing the standards or other
`
`technical specifications “that investment in the preparation, adoption and application of the
`
`STANDARDS could be wasted as a result of an ESSENTIAL IPR for a STANDARD or
`
`
`
`- 15 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 16 of 23 PageID #: 1787
`
`TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION being unavailable.” The IPR Policy specifies that it “shall be
`
`governed by the laws of France.” Clause 12.
`
`93.
`
`During all times relevant to these allegations, NSN has been a member of ETSI.
`
`NSN actively participated in 3GPP’s development of the LTE standard. As a result of its
`
`membership in ETSI and participation in 3GPP’s standard-setting process for LTE, CCE’s
`
`predecessor NSN was bound by the ETSI Rules of Procedure, including the ETSI IPR Policy. As
`
`was required by the ETSI IPR policy, NSN submitted declarations to ETSI promising to license
`
`its Declared-Essential Patents on FRAND terms.
`
`94.
`
`CCE has alleged that certain products having wireless capability compliant with
`
`3GPP TS 36.213 and TS 36.300 infringe the ’966 Patent.
`
`95.
`
`96.
`
`97.
`
`CCE has represented that it is the owner or assignee of the ’966 Patent.
`
`The ’966 Patent issued from Application No. 12/387,661 filed on May 5, 2009.
`
`The ’966 Patent claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/126,617, filed
`
`on May 5, 2008.
`
`98.
`
`On information and belief supported by publicly available documents, NSN is a
`
`predecessor-in-interest of CCE with respect to the ’966 Patent and its related applications.
`
`99.
`
`3GPP is composed of specification groups responsible for drafting and amending
`
`technical specifications associated with the 3GPP.
`
`100. 3GPP specification group TSG RAN WG1 (“WG1”) was formed on or around
`
`January 1999. WG1 was responsible for the specification of the physical layer of the radio
`
`Interface for UE, UTRAN, Evolved UTRAN, and beyond; covering both FDD and TDD modes
`
`of the radio interface. In particular, WG1 was responsible for drafting 3GPP TS 36.213. CCE
`
`
`
`- 16 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 17 of 23 PageID #: 1788
`
`has alleged that certain products having wireless capability compliant with TS 36.213 standards
`
`infringe the ’966 Patent.
`
`101. On
`
`information and belief supported by publicly available documents,
`
`representatives of NSN attended WG1 meetings and participated in drafting and revising 36.213.
`
`For example, the following NSN employees attended WG1 meetings: Thomas Chapman,
`
`Mieszko Chmiel, Jarl Lindholm, Timo Lunttlia, Karri Ranta-aho, and Chunhai Yao.
`
`102. On information and belief supported by publicly available documents, at the
`
`beginning of each WG1 and TSG RAN Plenary meeting, the Chairman of the meeting made the
`
`following IPR call:
`
`The attention of the delegates of this Working Group was drawn to the fact that 3GPP
`
`Individual Members have the obligation under the IPR Policies of their respective
`
`Organizational Partners to inform their respective Organizational Partners of Essential
`
`IPRs they become aware of.
`
`The delegates were asked to take note that they were hereby invited:
`
`
`
`to investigate whether their organization or any other organization owns IPRs
`
`which were, or were likely to become Essential in respect of the work of 3GPP.
`
`
`
`to notify their respective Organizational Partners of all potential IPRs, e.g., for
`
`ETSI, by means of the IPR Statement and the Licensing declaration forms
`
`(http://webapp.etsi.org/Ipr/).
`
`103. On or about March 31-April 4, 2008, the TSG-RAN WG1 group met for meeting
`
`#52 bis in Shenzhen, China in connection with the standards-setting process.
`
`104. On
`
`information and belief supported by publicly available documents,
`
`representatives of CCE’s predecessor NSN, including Thomas Chapman, Mieszko Chmiel, Jarl
`
`
`
`- 17 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 18 of 23 PageID #: 1789
`
`Lindholm, Timo Lunttlia, Karri Ranta-aho, and Chunhai Yao, attended the March-April 2008
`
`meeting.
`
`105.
`
`Jarl Lindholm is a named inventor of the ’966 Patent.
`
`106. On information and belief supported by publicly available documents, there were
`
`significant discussion regarding relevant changes to TS 36.213, such as “36.213 PUCCH timing
`
`and other formatting and typo corrections” (R1-081586) and “PUCCH power control for non-
`
`unicast information” (R1-081697), during the March-April 2008 meeting.
`
`107. On information and belief supported by publicly available documents,, Ericsson,
`
`CATT, Motorola, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, LGE submitted for consideration “UL
`
`ACK/NACK timing for TDD” (R1-081582).
`
`108. On information and belief supported by publicly available documents, during the
`
`March-April 2008 meeting, Jari Lindholm presented for discussion, at least, “Summary of power
`
`control email discussion” (R1-081463) and “Triggers for Power Headroom Reports in EUTRAN
`
`Uplink” (R1-081464).
`
`109. On or about May 5-9, 2008, the TSG-RAN WG1 group met for meeting #53 in
`
`Kansas City, USA in connection with the standards-setting process.
`
`110. On
`
`information and belief supported by publicly available documents,
`
`representatives of CCE’s predecessor NSN, including Mieszko Chmiel, Jarl Lindholm, Timo
`
`Lunttlia, Karri Ranta-aho, and Chunhai Yao attended the May 2008 meeting.
`
`111. On information and belief supported by publicly available documents, there were
`
`significant discussion and changes made to TS 36.213 during the May 2008 meeting.
`
`112. On information and belief supported by publicly available documents, during the
`
`May 2008 meeting, Jari Lindholm presented for discussion, at least, “UL grant for random
`
`
`
`- 18 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 19 of 23 PageID #: 1790
`
`access message 3” (R1-082078, R1-081840) and “Trig PDCCH format for allocation of
`
`dedicated preambles” (R1-081839).
`
`113. On or about May 27-30, 2008, the TSG-RAN Plenary group met for meeting #40
`
`in Prague, Czech Republic in connection with the standards-setting process.
`
`114. On
`
`information and belief supported by publicly available documents,
`
`representatives of CCE’s predecessor NSN, including Jiang Chang, Woonhee Hwang, Norbert
`
`Klehn and Alexander Vesely, attended the May 2008 meeting in Prague.
`
`115. On information and belief supported by publicly available documents, significant
`
`changes to TS 36.213 were approved during the May 2008 meeting in Prague.
`
`116. NSN waited until June 21, 2011 to declare the ’966 Patent as relevant to TS
`
`36.321.
`
`117. CCE’s predecessor NSN had a duty to disclose the ’966 Patent as essential to
`
`standards drafted and revised in TSG RAN WG1 and the TSG RAN Plenary groups as a result of
`
`its membership in ETSI and 3GPP, including its obligations to disclose essential IPRs under the
`
`IPR policies of ETSI and 3GPP.
`
`118. On information and belief supported by publicly available documents, CCE’s
`
`predecessor NSN breached its duty to disclose the ’966 Patent by intentionally and knowingly
`
`delaying the disclosure of the ’966 Patent as essential, or potentially essential, to the
`
`specifications being drafted and revised at TSG RAN WG1 and the TSG RAN Plenary groups.
`
`119. On information and belief supported by publicly available documents, the
`
`foregoing delay to disclose the ’966 Patent was made in bad faith with the intent to deceive and
`
`induce reliance.
`
`
`
`- 19 -
`
`

`

`Case 6:14-cv-00982-KNM Document 157 Filed 11/13/15 Page 20 of 23 PageID #: 1791
`
`120. The foregoing actions and conduct have caused damage and continue to cause
`
`damage to AT&T and relevant third-parties.
`
`121. Accordingly, the ’966 Patent is unenforceable due to implied waiver.
`
`THIRTEENTH DEFENSE
`
`(UNENFORCEABILITY OF ’966 PATENT DUE TO EQUITABLE ESTOPPEL)
`
`122. AT&T incorporates by reference paragraphs 1-121 above.
`
`123. CCE’s predecessor NSN had a duty to disclose the ’966 Patent as essential to
`
`standards drafted and revised in TSG RAN WG1 and the TSG RAN Plenary groups as a result of
`
`its membe

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket