Jarratt v. Arrow Plastic Mfg. - Complaint

8/10/2019 Jarratt v. Arrow Plastic Mfg. - Complaint

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS

TEXARKANA DIVISION

HUGH JARRATT

PLAINTIFF

vs. Civil Action No.

(Jury Requested)

ARROW PLASTIC MANUFACTURING CO.

and BED BATH & BEYOND INC.

DEFENDANTS

PLAINTIFFS ORIGINAL COMPLAINT

TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT:

COMES NOW Plaintiff Hugh Jarratt, by and through his undersigned counsel, and files this

Original Complaint against Defendants Arrow Plastic Manufacturing Co. and Bed Bath & Beyond

Inc. and in support thereof would show unto the Court as follows:

NATURE OF THE ACTION

I.

This is a patent infringement action to stop Defendants infringement of Plaintiffs United

States Patent No. D574,187S entitled Divided Plate for Separating Food (hereinafter referred to

as the 187 patent), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A. Plaintiff is the owner of the

187 patent. Plaintiff seeks injunctive relief and monetary damages.

PARTIES

II.

Plaintiff Hugh Jarratt is a citizen of the state of Arkansas and resides in Fayetteville,

Case 5:14-cv-00159 Document 1 Filed 12/18/14 Page 1 of 6 PageID #: 1


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Arkansas.

III.

On information and belief, Defendant Arrow Plastic Manufacturing Co. is an Illinois

corporation with its principal place of business located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Said Defendant

may be served with process through its registered agent, David L. Weinstein, 311 S. Wacker Drive,

Suite 4400, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

IV.

On information and belief, Defendant Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. is a New York corporation

with its principal place of business located in Union, New Jersey. Said Defendant may be served

with process at 650 Liberty Avenue, Attn: Tax Department, Union, New Jersey 07083.

JURISDICTION

V.

This action arises under the patent laws of the United States, 35 U.S.C. 271, 282-85. This

Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this case for patent infringement under 28 U.S.C. 1331

and 1338(a).

VI.

Venue is proper in this Court under 28 U.S.C. 1391(b).

VII.

This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendants because Defendants are present within

or have minimum contacts with the state of Texas and the Eastern District of Texas. Defendants have

Plaintiffs Original Complaint Page 2



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purposefully availed themselves of the privilege of conducting business in the state of Texas and in

the Eastern District of Texas. Defendants have sought protection and benefit from the laws of the

state of Texas. Defendants regularly conduct business in the state of Texas and within the Eastern

District of Texas. Plaintiffs causes of action arise directly from Defendants business contacts and

other activities in the state of Texas and in the Eastern District of Texas. Defendants have directly

and/or indirectly committed and/or induced acts of patent infringement in this district.

COUNT I - INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT D574,187S

VIII.

Plaintiff hereby reasserts and realleges the allegations contained in Paragraphs I - VII herein

above as if set forth word for word.

IX.

The 187 patent was duly and legally issued by the United States Patent and Trademark

Office on August 5, 2008, after full and fair examination. The 187 patent is full force and effect.

Plaintiff is the owner of the 187 patent and possesses all rights of recovery under the 187 patent,

including the exclusive right to sue for infringement and recover past damages.

X.

Some time after January of 2013, Defendants began selling taco plates which infringe the

187 patent.

XI.

Defendants sell and ship infringing taco plates into the state of Texas and the Eastern District

of Texas. Defendants, on information and belief, transact or have transacted business within this




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judicial district for their individual gain and benefit.

XII.

On information and belief, without Plaintiffs authorization, Defendants have offered for sale

and have sold in the United States and the state of Texas the infringing taco plates, which have

designs that are covered by the 187 patent.

XIII.

On information and belief, Defendants knowingly and intentionally sold and continue to sell

Defendants infringing taco plates as simulations of Plaintiffs taco plates.

XIV.

On information and belief, Defendants have infringed and continue to infringe the 187 patent

within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. 271(a) at least by selling and offering to sell Defendants

infringing taco plates without Plaintiffs authorization or license.

XV.

Plaintiff has sold and is currently selling his taco plates bearing the design claimed in the

187 patent. As contemplated by 35 U.S.C. 287, Plaintiff has provided notice of the 187 patent

by marking the 187 patent number on his taco plate models bearing those patented designs since the

United States Patent and Trademark Office issued the 187 patent.

XVI.

Defendants have willfully and intentionally infringed the 187 patent from at least the date




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of the filing of this lawsuit.

XVII.

Defendants aforesaid activities have been without authority and/or license from Plaintiff.

XVIII.

Plaintiff is entitled to recover from Defendant the damages sustained by Plaintiff as a result

of Defendants wrongful acts in an amount subject to proof at trial, which by law, cannot be less than

a reasonable royalty, together with interest and costs as fixed by this Court under 35 U.S.C. 284.

XIX.

Defendants infringement of Plaintiffs exclusive rights under the 187 patent will continue

to damage Plaintiff, causing irreparable harm for which there is no adequate remedy at law, unless

enjoined by this Court.

JURY DEMAND

XX.

Plaintiff hereby requests a trial by jury pursuant to Rule 38 of the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

Plaintiff Hugh Jarratt respectfully requests that the Court find in his favor and against the

Defendants, and that the Court Plaintiff the following relief:

a. Judgment that Defendants have infringed one or more of the claims, directly, jointly

and/or indirectly, by way of inducing and/or contributing to infringement of the 187

patent;




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b. Permanent injunction pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 283 enjoining Defendants and their

officers, directors, agents, servants, affiliates, employees, divisions, branches,

subsidiaries, parents, and all others acting in active concert therewith from

infringement, inducing the infringement of, or contributing to the infringement of the

187 patent, or such other equitable relief the Court determines is warranted;

c. Award to Plaintiff of damages adequate to compensate Plaintiff for the Defendants

acts of infringement, together with pre-judgment and post-judgment interest;

d. That, should Defendants acts of infringement be found to be willful from the time

that Defendants became aware of the infringing nature of their actions, which is the

time of filing of Plaintiffs Original Complaint at the latest, the Court award treble

damages for the period of such willful infringement pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 284;

e. That the Court declare this to be an exceptional case and award Plaintiff his

reasonable attorneys fees and costs in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 285; and

f. Any further relief that the Court deems just and proper.

December 18, 2014 Respectfully submitted,

/s/ W. David Carter - Lead Attorney

TSB No. 03932780

MERCYCARTERTIDWELL, L.L.P.

1724 Galleria Oaks Drive

Texarkana, Texas 75503

(903) 794-9419 - Telephone

(903) 794-1268 - Facsimile

[email protected]

Attorneys for Plaintiff Hugh Jarratt


mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Exhibit A

Case 5:14-cv-00159 Document 1-1 Filed 12/18/14 Page 1 of 5 PageID #: 7


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1 2 ) United

States

Design Patent 1 0 )

P a t e n t N 0 . :

USO0D574187S

US

D 5 7 4 , 1 8 7

S

J a r r a t t 4 5 )

Date

o f

P a t e n t :

4 * Aug. ,

2008

54) DIVIDED

PLATEFORSEPARATING

FOOD

D490,656 S *

6/2004

Levien

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. D7/554.2

D494,816 S *

8/2004

Wiedmeyer t a 1 . . . . . . . . . . . D7/543

Inventor: Jarratt Viewpoint Dr D545,127 S * 6/2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.

D7/504

payettev?le

AR

Us) 72701

D563,166

S

*

3 / 2 0 0 8

Woolfolk

t

a 1 .

D7/504

2004/0222228 A1 11/2004 Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220/574

( * * ) T e r m : 1 4 Years * c i t e d by

e x a m i n e r

2 1 )

A p p l ~

p 1 0 Z

2 9 / 2 9 2 , 1 9 6

P r i m a r y E x a m i ne r i P h i l i p H y d e r

A s s i s t a n t E x a m i n e r 4 C y n t h i a Underwood

2 2 )

F i l e d ;

Oct ,

2 0 0 7 ( 7 4 ) A l l o r n e y ,

A g e n t ,

o r

F i r m i K e i s l i n g

P i e p e r

S c o t t P L C ;

S t e p h e n

D . S c h r a n t Z ; T r en t C . K e i s l i n g

51) LOC 8 ) Cl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07-01

( 5 2 ) us. l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.

1 ) 7 / 5 0 4 ,

137/555 ( 5 7 ) CLAIM

5 8 ) F l e l d

o f c D l g j g g l c a s t g n 5 5 2 M 3 1 1

6 1 3 2 / 5 5 4 0 ?

T h e

r n a m e n t a l d e s i g n f o r a d i v i d e d p l a t e f o r

s e p a r a t i n g

f o o d ,

D 9 / 4 2 6 ; D 2 8 / 6 1 , 7 3 , 1 3 3 0 / 1 3 0 , 1 0 8 / 2 5 ; a s shown

a n d

d e s c n b e d '

9 9 / 4 2 6 '

2 1 1 / 1 2 6 . 1 ' 206/557 5 6 1 5 2 1 . 1 5 '

DESCRIPTION

220/574,

575,

500 . . . . . .

S e e a p p l i c a t i o n

? l e

f o r C o m p l e t e S e a r c h h i s t o r y

F I G .

1 1 s a

p e r s p e c t l v e

V1eW o f a d l v l d e d

p l a t e

f o r s e p a r a t m g

f o o d

s h o w i n g my

eW

e s i g n ;

( 5 6 ) R e f e r e n c e s C i t e d

F I G .

2

i s a f r o n t e l e v a t i o n a l

View o f

t h e

d e s i g n o f F I G .

1 ;

U S . PATENT DOCUMENTS

F I G . 3 i s a

r e a r e l e v a t i o n a l View

o f t h e d e s i g n

of

I G .

1 ;

1 3 1 1 5

876

s * 7 / 1 9 3 9 DeynZer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.

1 3 7 / 5 4 1

FIG-

4 i s a l e f t

S i d e e l e v a t i o n a l View

Ofthe design

OfF I G- 1 ;

2 , 6 7 7 , 3 5 0 A

5 / 1 9 5 4

P r e s t i d g e

e t a 1 . 1 1 9 / 6 1 . 5 3

FIG. Sis

a r i g h t s i d e

e l e v a t i o n a l

View

of the design of FlG. 1;

D199 194

S * 9/1964 Patton,

J 1 .

. .

D7/555

6 is a top

View

Ofthe

design

Of and

D363 413

S 10/1995

Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. D7/504 _ _ _

13374,151

s * 10/ 1996 Malvasio . .

137/504

FIG- 71S a bottom Plan VleW

Ofthe

deslgn

Of

FIG-

1

D428 809S 8/2000 Adair

. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

D7/555

D487,860 S * 3/2004

Turner

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D7/504 1 C laim, 3 Drawing heets



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US. atent

A u g .

5 ,

2 0 0 8

S h e e t 1

o f 3 US D574,187

S

F I G . 2

F I G . 3



10/12

US. atent

A u g .

5 ,

2 0 0 8

S h e e t

2 o f 3 US D574,187

S



11/12

US. atent

A u g .

5 ,

2 0 0 8

S h e e t

3

o f 3

US

D574,187 S



12/12

S 44 (Rev. 12/12) CIVIL COVER SHEETThe JS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replace nor supplement the filing and service of pleadings or other papers as required by law, except

rovided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for theurpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM.)

. (a) PLAINTIFFS DEFENDANTS

(b) County of Residence of First Listed Plaintiff County of Residence of First Listed Defendant

(EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) (IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)

NOTE: IN LAND CONDEMNATION CASES, USE THE LOCATION OFTHE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED.

(c) Attorneys (Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Number) Attorneys (If Known)

I. BASIS OF JURISDICTION(Place an X in One Box Only) III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES(Place an X in One Box for(For Diversity Cases Only) and One Box for Defendant

1 U.S. Government 3 Federal Question PTF DEF PTF D

Plaintiff (U.S. Government Not a Party) Citizen of This State 1 1 Incorporated orPrincipal Place 4

of Business In This State

2 U.S. Government 4 Diversity Citizen of Another State 2 2 Incorporated andPrincipal Place 5

Defendant (Indicate Citizenship of Parties in Item III) of Business In Another State

Citizen or Subject of a 3 3 Foreign Nation 6

Foreign Country

V. NATURE OF SUIT(Place an X in One Box Only)CONTRACT TORTS FORFEITURE/PENALTY BANKRUPTCY OTHER STATUTES

110 Insurance PERSONAL INJURY PERSONAL INJURY 625 Drug Related Seizure 422 Appeal 28 USC 158 375 False Claims Act

120 Marine 310 Airplane 365 Personal Injury - of Property 21 USC 881 423 Withdrawal 400 State Reapportionm

130 Miller Act 315 Airplane Product Product Liability 690 Other 28 USC 157 410 Antitrust

140 Negotiable Instrument Liability 367 Health Care/ 430 Banks and Banking

150 Recovery of Overpayment 320 Assault, Libel & Pharmaceutical PROPERTY RIGHTS 450 Commerce& Enforcement of Judgment Slander Personal Injury 820 Copyrights 460 Deportation

151 Medicare Act 330 Federal Employers Product Liabi lity 830 Patent 470 Racketeer Influence

152 Recovery of Defaulted Liability 368 Asbestos Personal 840 Trademark Corrupt Organizatio

Student Loans 340 Marine Injury Product 480 Consumer Credit

(Excludes Veterans) 345 Marine Product Liability LABOR SOCIAL SECURITY 490 Cable/Sat TV 153 Recovery of Overpayment Liability PERSONAL PROPERTY 710 Fair Labor Standards 861 HIA (1395ff) 850 Securities/Commod

of Veterans Benefits 350 Motor Vehicle 370 Other Fraud Act 862 Black Lung (923) Exchange

160 Stockholders Suits 355 Motor Vehicle 371 Truth in Lending 720 Labor/Management 863 DIWC/DIWW (405(g)) 890 Other Statutory Acti

190 Other Contract Product Liability 380 Other Personal Relations 864 SSID Title XVI 891 Agricultural Acts

195 Contract Product Liability 360 Other Personal Property Damage 740 Railway Labor Act 865 RSI (405(g)) 893 Environmental Matt

196 Franchise Injury 385 Property Damage 751 Family and Medical 895 Freedom of Informa

362 Personal Injury - Product Liability Leave Act ActMedical Malpractice 790 Other Labor Litigation 896 Arbitration

REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRISONER PETITIONS 791 Employee Retirement FEDERAL TAX SUITS 899 Administrative Proc

210 Land Condemnation 440 Other Civil Rights Habeas Corpus: Income Security Act 870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff Act/Review or Appe

220 Foreclosure 441 Voting 463 Alien Detainee or Defendant) Agency Decision

230 Rent Lease & Ejectment 442 Employment 510 Motions to Vacate 871 IRSThird Party 950 Constitutionality of

240 Torts to Land 443 Housing/ Sentence 26 USC 7609 State Statutes

245 Tort Product Liability Accommodations 530 General

290 All Other Real Property 445 Amer. w/Disabilities - 535 Death Penalty IMMIGRATION

Employment Other: 462 Naturalization Application 446 Amer. w/Disabilities - 540 Mandamus & Other 465 Other Immigration

Other 550 Civil Rights Actions

448 Education 555 Prison Condition

560 Civil Detainee -

Conditions of

Confinement

V. ORIGIN(Place an X in One Box Only)

1 OriginalProceeding

2 Removed fromState Court

3 Remanded fromAppellate Court

4 Reinstated orReopened

5 Transferred fromAnother District(specify)

6 MultidistrictLitigation

VI. CAUSE OF ACTION

Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity):

Brief description of cause:

VII. REQUESTED INCOMPLAINT:

CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS ACTIONUNDER RULE 23, F.R.Cv.P.

DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint

JURY DEMAND: Yes No

VIII. RELATED CASE(S)IF ANY

(See instructions):JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER

DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

RECEIPT # AMOUNT APPLYING IFP JUDGE MAG JUDGE


HUGH JARRATT

Washington County, AR

W. David Carter Mercy Carter Tidwell, L.L.P.724 Galleria Oaks Drive

Texarkana, Texas 75503 (903) 794-9419

ARROW PLASTIC MANUFACTURING CO.

and BED BATH & BEYOND INC.

35 U.S.C. Section 271

Patent infringement

2/18/2014

Jarratt v. Arrow Plastic Mfg. - Complaint

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