Papst Licensing GmbH & Co. KG, a German company, sues multiple manufacturers of digital cameras for alleged infringement of two patents owned by Papst: U.S. Patent Number 6,470,399 (399 Patent) and U.S. Patent Number 6,895,449 (449 Patent). Generally, Papst contends that
Hewlett-Packard Company (HP), one of the Camera Manufacturers who is a party to a First Wave Case in this Multi District Litigation,
I. FACTS
A. The Invention
The invention at issue is a “Flexible Interface for Communication Between a Host and an Analog I/O Device Connected to the Interface Regardless of the Type of the I/O Device.” 399 Patent, Title; 449 Patent, Title. Michael Tasler invented and patented the “interface device” and later sold the Patents to Papst. The invention was never produced or used.
The “interface device” is designed to provide data transfer between a data transmit/receive device and a computer without the need for special software; this is accomplished by telling the computer that the interface device is a transmit/receive device already known to the computer (and for which the computer already has drivers, i.e., software), regardless of what kind of data transmit/receive device actually is attached to the interface device. 399 Patent, Abstract; 449 Patent, Abstract; see also 399 Patent 5:67 & 6:1-22; 449 Patent 4:66-67 & 5:1-22.
The interface device according to the present invention therefore simulates, both in terms of hardware and software, the way in which a conventional input/output device functions, preferably that of a hard disk drive. As support for hard disks is implemented as standard in all commercially available host systems, the simulation of a hard disk, for example, can provide host device-independent use. The interface device according to the present invention therefore no longer communicates with the host device or computer by means of a specially designed driver but by means of a program which is present in the BIOS system (Basic Input/Output System) and is normally precisely matched to the specific computer system on which it is installed, or by means of a*66 specific program for the multi-purpose interface.
399 Patent 5:5-20; 449 Patent 4:9-24 (same). By directing the computer to communicate using customary software already in the computer, the interface device fulfills its purpose — to provide “communication between a host device and a data transmit/receive device whose use is host device-independent and which delivers a high data transfer rate.” 399 Patent 3:24-27; 449 Patent 3:20-23 (same). In other words, the invention seeks to capitalize on software customarily found in a computer to allow communication with various data transmit/receive devices.
The 449 Patent is a continuation or divisional patent that is quite similar to the 399 Patent. The Patents share the same block diagram drawings, Figures 1 and 2. See, e.g., 399 Patent 9:15-16 (“Figure 2 shows a detailed block diagram of an interface device, according to the present invention”); 449 Patent 8:15-16 (same). The 399 and 449 Patents also share much of the same specification. Even so, the 449 Patent covers other aspects of the invention; for example, the 449 Patent omits references to analog-to-digital data conversion. Compare 399 Patent 12:54-60 with 449 Patent 11:57-58.
Pursuant to Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc.,
B. HP and the HP Accused Cameras
In its Final Infringement Contentions, Papst accused the First and Second Wave Camera Manufacturers of infringement. See generally Final Infringement Contentions [Dkt. 416] (FICs).
HP exited the digital camera business in 2007. HP Mot. for Summ. J. (HP MSJ) [Dkt. 454], Ex. 48 (Mewes Deck). When it was in that business, it manufactured and sold basic point-and-shoot digital cameras with limited functionality. Id. Papst agrees that the HP Accused Cameras do
C. Procedural History
Pursuant to the Court’s ruling on claims construction, Papst and HP agreed that all the HP Accused Cameras did not infringe the Patents and asked the Court to enter final judgment and to certify an immediate appeal. See Papst and HP Joint Mot. for J. [Dkt. 346]. The Court denied their request for certification for appeal under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(b) because of its prejudice to the other Camera Manufacturers. See July 30, 2010 Minute Order; Op. on HP Mot. to Strike [Dkt. 426] at 3-4. This MDL has now reached the point where the First Wave Camera Manufacturers have filed motions for summary judgment, and the Court has ruled on most of them.
HP moves for summary judgment
1. Infringement Contentions Against HP Cameras Were Stricken
Due to Papst’s admission and representation to the Court that the HP Accused Devices do not infringe because they do not include a “second connecting device” under the Court’s claims construction, the Court struck the Final Infringement Contentions against HP Accused Cameras. See Op. on HP Mot. Strike [Dkt. 426] at 7-9, 15 (citing Papst Reply in Support of Joint Mot. for Entry of J. [Dkt. 349] at 1 (“After the Court’s rulings on claims construction, Papst studied the effect of the Court’s rulings. Papst was able to determine that none of Hewlett-Packard’s ... accused devices met the Court’s definition of ‘second connecting device.’”)); Papst Mot. to Stay All Other Proceedings [Dkt. 347] at 2 (“Papst can stipulate to non-infringement in [the HP] case because each accused HP device lacks an interface device having a plug or socket that permits a user readily to physically attach/detach the interface device to/from a data transmiVreeeive device outside the accused HP device.”) (internal quotation marks omitted). The Court determined that Papst was bound by its factual statements and thus Pápst’s infringement claims against HP digital cameras were stricken. Op. on HP Mot. to Strike [Dkt. 426] at 15. Papst moved for reconsideration, but its motion was deniéd. See Op. on Papst Mot. Recons. [Dkt. 458].
2. Infringement Allegations Against Palm Products Were Stricken
Having represented to the Court that HP cameras do not infringe under the Court’s claim construction, Papst tried to bring new HP non-camera product lines into the case. Specifically, shortly after HP acquired Palm Inc. as its subsidiary,
3. Infringement Allegations Against HP as Seller Were Stayed
In response to HP’s motion to strike infringement contentions, Papst for the first time alleged that HP infringed the Patents based on HP sales of digital cameras made by Canon and Samsung.
4. Prior Summary Judgment Rulings
Thereafter, the First Wave Camera Manufacturers filed eight summary judgment motions, and the Court granted summary judgment on various issues. The Second Wave Cases, in contrast, have been stayed since 2008. The Second Wave Cases were added to this Multi District Litigation on the eve of claims construction. The Courts stayed Papst’s infringement claims against the Second Wave Camera Manufacturers to allow claims construction to move forward in the First Wave Cases. See 4th Practice & Procedure Order [Dkt. 218]. The Court then continued to stay the Second Wave Cases because, after claims construction, the First Wave Cases were ready for summary judgment. See 7th Practice & Procedure Order [Dkt. 391]. The Court noted that “[t]he resolution of the First Wave Cases may well serve to resolve the Second Wave Cases, as the majority of the issues are likely to be the same. In the event that final judgment is entered in the
As a result of the Court’s summary judgment rulings in the First Wave Cases, “all the parties agree that, as a result of the combined effect of the Court’s summary judgment rulings, all of the accused products have been determined by the Court to be noninfringing.” Papst Reply in Support of its Mot. to Withdraw [Dkt. 543] at 3. This statement refers to the following summary judgment rulings: Op. Re Samsung MSJ [Dkt. 520]; Order Re Samsung MSJ [Dkt. 521]; Op. Re CM MSJ Re Memory Cards [Dkt. 524]; Order Re CM MSJ Re Memory Cards [Dkt. 525]; Op. Re CM MSJ re Data Transmit/Receive Device Claim Limitation [Dkt. 528]; Order Re CM MSJ re Data Transmit/Receive Device Claim Limitation [Dkt. 529]; Op. Re CM MSJ Re Input/Output Devise Customary In a Host Device [Dkt. 534]; Order Re CM MSJ Re Input/Output Devise Customary In a Host Device [Dkt. 535]; Op. Re CM MSJ re Table 15 Devices [Dkt. 536]; Order Re CM MSJ re Table 15 Devices [Dkt. 537].
II. LEGAL STANDARD
Under Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, summary judgment shall be granted “if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a); accord Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 247,
The burden then shifts to the nonmovant to demonstrate the existence of a genuine issue of material fact. The nonmovant may not rest on mere allegations or denials, but must instead by affidavit or otherwise, present specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c); Celotex, 477 U.S. at 324,
In ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the court must draw all justifiable inferences in the nonmoving party’s favor. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 255,
Summary judgment can be granted in a patent case if there is no dispute over the structure of the accused products, at which point the question of infringement “collapses” into the question of claim construction and may be resolved
III. ANALYSIS
A. 399 Patent
Papst withdrew its claim that the HP Accused Cameras infringe the 399 Patent because the HP Accused Cameras only have memory card connectors and Pict-Bridge/USB connectors that receive digital data, while the 399 Patent calls for the interface device to receive analog data from a data transmit/receive device. “HP’s 59 simple point-and-shoot cameras do not infringe the 399 patent under the Court’s claim construction.” Papst Opp’n to HP MSJ [Dkt. 470] at 25. The 59 cameras to which Papst refers are the HP Accused Cameras, as defined in this Opinion.
B. 449 Patent
HP’s motion for summary judgment also will be granted with regard to the 449 Patent. First, as described above, the Court has stricken all of Papst’s Final Infringement Contentions against the HP Accused Cameras, i.e., all Accused Products that were manufactured by HP. See Op. on HP Mot. to Strike [Dkt. 426]. Second, due to the combined effect of the Court’s rulings on motions for summary judgment filed by First Wave Camera Manufacturers, all Accused Products made by First Wave Camera Manufacturers have been held not to infringe. See Papst Reply in Support of its Mot. to Withdraw [Dkt. 543] at 3;
The claim remaining against HP, then, is Papst’s claim that HP infringed when it sold Canon products. This claim was stayed pending adjudication of the Second Wave Cases; the Second Wave Cases include Papst’s suit against Canon as a manufacturer. See 7th Practice & Procedure Order [Dkt. 391]. In the interest of obtaining a final appealable ruling with regard to Papst’s claims against HP as manufacturer of the HP Accused Cameras and as seller of the Samsung products, HP seeks an order severing the claim against HP as a seller of Canon products. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 21 authorizes a district court to “sever any claim against a party.” Severance of claims is within a court’s discretion. Disparte v. Corporate Exec. Bd.,
A judgment of noninfringement of the 449 Patent will be entered in favor of HP (1) with regard to the HP Accused Cameras and (2) with regard to the allegation that HP infringed the Patents as a seller of Samsung products. Papst’s claim against HP as a seller of Canon products will be severed from the First Wave Cases and will be litigated with the Second Wave Cases.
C. Motion for More Discovery
Papst seeks additional discovery under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
If a nonmovant shows by affidavit or declaration that, for specified reasons, it cannot present facts essential to justify its opposition, the court may:
(1) defer considering the motion or deny it;
(2) allow time to obtain affidavits or declarations or to take discovery; or
(3) issue any other appropriate order.
Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(d). A party making a request for more discovery under Rule 56 must state concretely why additional discovery is needed. Messina v. Krakower,
D. Motion to File Surreply
Papst moved to file a surreply in opposition to HP’s motion for summary judgment, as it has with every motion for summary judgment. See Mot. for Leave to File Surreply [Dkt. 510]. Because HP’s reply brief did not raise new issues and because surreplies are disfavored in this district, the motion to file a surreply will be denied. See Crummey v. Social Security Admin.,
IV. CONCLUSION
HP’s motion for summary judgment of noninfringement [Dkt. 454] will be granted and its alternative request, for entry of judgment, will be denied as moot. Summary judgment of noninfringement of the 399 and 449 Patents will be granted in favor of HP with regard to (1) the HP Accused Cameras and (2) the allegation that HP infringed the Patents as a seller of Samsung products. Papst’s claim against HP as a seller of Canon products will be severed from the First Wave Cases and will be litigated with the Second Wave Cases. Papst’s motion for additional discovery [Dkt. 479] will be denied as moot with regard to that portion of the motion dealing with HP. Further, Papst’s motion to file a surreply [Dkt. 510] will be denied. A memorializing Order accompanies this Opinion.
Notes
.This Multi District Litigation currently consists of First and Second Wave Cases. The "First Wave Cases1’ are: Fujifilm Corp. v. Papst, 07-CV-1118; Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Papst, 07-cv-1222; Papst v. Olympus Corp., 07-cv-2086; Papst v. Samsung Techwin Co., 07-cv-2088; Hewlett-Packard Co. v. Papst, 08-cv-865; and Papst v. Nikon Corp., 08-CV-985. The "Second Wave Cases” currently are: Papst v. Canon, 08-cv-1406 and Papst v. Sanyo, 09-cv-530. The Camera Manufacturers who are parties to the First Wave Cases (sometimes referred to as the First Wave Camera Manufacturers) are: Fujifilm Corporation; Fujifilm U.S.A., Inc.; Fujifilm Japan; Panasonic Corporation (f/k/a as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.); Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.; Olympus Corporation; Olympus Imaging America Inc.; Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.; Samsung Opto-Electronics America, Inc.; Panasonic Corporation of North America; JVC Company of America; Hewlett-Packard Company (HP); Nikon Corporation; and Nikon, Inc. The Second Wave Camera Manufacturers are Canon, Inc. and Canon USA, Inc. (collectively Canon) and Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. and Sanyo North America Corporation (collectively Sanyo).
. This motion is one of eight filed by the Camera Manufacturers. In the interest of timely disposition, the Court does not recite the full background and assumes familiarity with its prior rulings. See, e.g., Claims Construction Op. (Claims Constr. Op.) [Dkt. 336]; Sanctions Op. [Dkt. 429].
. The Patents are cited by column number, then a colon, then the line number.
. Markman requires a district court to construe the contested claims of the patents before a jury can determine whether the accused products infringe. In claims construction, a court must interpret the words of each contested claim from the perspective of one skilled in the art at the time of invention, in light of the patent documents and the prosecution history. Phillips v. AWH Corp.,
. The Final Infringement Contentions filed at docket 416 are a revised version of final contentions originally filed at docket 379.
. In the alternative, HP renews its earlier motion for entry of final judgment. See Papst and HP Joint Mot. for J. [Dkt. 346], Because summary judgment will be granted in favor of HP, HP’s renewed motion for entry of final judgment will be rendered moot.
. HP also seeks summary judgment of noninfringement because the HP Accused Cameras do not meet all of the claims limitations. Because the Court grants summary judgment for reasons detailed here, it is not necessary to reach other issues.
. In another ruling, the Court denied Papst leave to add cell phones and MP3 players to this litigation. See Sanctions Op. [Dkt. 388] at 12.
. While the Final Infringement Contentions allege broadly that all the Camera Manufacturers are liable for infringement due to the manufacture and sale of the Accused Devices, see FICs at 3, they do not specifically name HP as a seller of Canon or Samsung products. "Samsung products” are those accused products identified in the Final Infringement Contentions where Samsung is identified as the maker. See FICs (Tables).
. Papst refers to the 59 HP cameras listed by model number in Exhibit 1 [Dkt. 454-2] to the Mewes Deck [Dkt. 454-1], These 59 cameras are listed in the Final Infringement Contentions in Tables 12, 13, and 14. Excluding the Palm products (which are not part of this MDL), the only accused products listed in Tables 12, 13, and 14 that were manufactured by HP are these same 59 cameras.
. After Papst filed its Reply in Support of its Mot. to Withdraw [Dkt. 543], the Court also granted the Camera Manufacturers’ motion for summary judgment of noninfringement of the 449 Patent regarding the "simulating a virtual file system” claim limitation. See Op. Re CM MSJ Re Simulating a Virtual File System [Dkt. 545]; Order Re CM MSJ Re Simulating a Virtual File System [546],
