Tyler Division, Eastern District of Texas
Jan. 8
Plaintiff Lonestar, a Texas limited partnership, claims to own the rights to U.S. Patent No. 5,208,725 issued May 4, 1993, for a High Capacitance Structure in a Semiconductor Device. The '725 Patent was assigned to Lonestar Inventions by inventor Osman E. Akcasu.
Lonestar alleges defendant AMD has been for some time and is currently infringing the '725 Patent by making, selling or using semiconductor devices embodying the patented invention, and inducing others to do so, and will continue to do so unless enjoined by the court.
"Although Lonestar does not know the full extent of AMD's infringement and inducement, Lonestar is aware that AMD has made, imported, offered to sell or induced others to make, import, sell or offer to sell in this country at least the following products: (1) the Nintendo Wii, containing chip-sets designed by AMD or its predecessors in interest; and (2) graphics cards containing the ATI 215-0669049 graphics processor, including without limitation, the Radeon HD 4870 graphics card," the original complaint states.
Lonestar alleges AMD has been given written notice that it is infringing the '725 Patent, but has failed and refused to cease infringing the patent, which Lonestar claims makes it eligible to receive enhanced damages.
Lonestar is seeking injunctive relief, compensatory and treble damages, interest, attorneys' fees, costs and other just and proper relief.
Chris Reynolds of Gibbs & Bruns LLP in Houston is representing the plaintiff.
The case has been assigned to Judge Leonard E. Davis.
Case No. 6:09-cv-017-LED
Lufkin Division, Eastern District of Texas
Jan. 9
According to the original complaint, plaintiff Sanofi-Aventis is an international pharmaceutical company that makes healthcare products including insulin and insulin delivery systems for the treatment of diabetes.
The suit states that employees of German-based Haselmeier GMBH invented an improved safety needle that reduced patient injection anxiety and eliminated post-injection accidental needle sticks.
Haselmeier, through its BD Medico subsidiary, filed and obtained patent rights for its improved safety needle including U.S. Patent No. 6,203,529 which was issued March 20, 2001.
On April 1, 2008, Haselmeier assigned all rights to the '529 Patent to Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GMBH.
Defendant Novo is an international healthcare company that focuses on diabetes care which markets both disposable and reusable insulin delivery devices and sells a variety of needle products including the NovoFine Autocover safety needle.
The plaintiff alleges that the NovoFine Autocover safety needle infringes the '529 Patent.
"As a result of the infringement by Novo, Sanfofi-Aventis has been, is being and will continue to be irreparably harmed," the complaint states.
Sanofi-Aventis also alleges that Novo's infringement has been reckless, egregious and willful.
The plaintiff is seeking injunctive relief, damages no less than a reasonable royalty, treble damages, interest, attorneys' fees, costs and other just relief.
The plaintiff is represented by Lawrence Germer and Mitchell Smith of Germer Gertz LLP in Beaumont. Attorneys from McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP in Chicago are of counsel.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.
Case No. 9:09-cv-009-RC
Marshall Division, Eastern District of Texas
Jan. 13
The case was originally filed in the Western District of Wisconsin on July 10 (Case No. 08-C-0397) and transferred to the Marshall Division on Jan. 13.
Co-defendants in the original suit, Victory Sales Inc. and Avnet Inc., were dismissed without prejudice before the transfer.
According to the original complaint, plaintiff Lineage has its principal place of business in Mesquite. It claims to own the rights to five U.S. patents relating to power converters.
Lineage alleges the infringements have been willful and deliberate and that such acts will continue in the future unless enjoined by the court.
Lineage is seeking compensatory and treble damages, interest, attorneys' fees, costs and other just and proper relief.
The plaintiff was originally represented by John C. Scheller of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP in Madison, Wisc.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge T. John Ward.
Case No. 2:09-cv-013-TJW