Dickson Industries, Inc. v. Patent Enforcement Team, L.L.C. , 333 F. App'x 514 ( 2009 )

NOTE: This disposition is nonprecedential
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
2008-1372, -1398
DICKSON INDUSTRIES, INC.,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
PATENT ENFORCEMENT TEAM, L.L.C.,
Defendant/Third Party Plaintiff-
Appellant,
v.
MIDSTATE TRAFFIC CONTROLS, INC. and SAWHORSE INVESTMENTS, L.L.C.,
Third Party Defendants-
Cross Appellants.
John A. Kenney, McAfee & Taft, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for plaintiff-
appellee. With him on the brief were Michael D. McClintock, Charles L. McLawhorn, III,
and Andrew B. Peterson.
James J. Wolfson, Carlton Fields, P.A., of Atlanta, Georgia, for defendant/third
party plaintiff-appellant. With him on the brief was Gail E. Podolsky.
David A. Cheek, Cheek & Falcone, PLLC, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for third
party defendants-cross appellants.
Appealed from: United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
Judge Joe Heaton
NOTE: This disposition is nonprecedential.
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
2008-1372, -1398
DICKSON INDUSTRIES, INC.,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
PATENT ENFORCEMENT TEAM, L.L.C.,
Defendant/Third Party
Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
MIDSTATE TRAFFIC CONTROLS, INC. and SAWHORSE INVESTMENTS, L.L.C.,
Third Party Defendants-
Cross Appellants,
Appeals from the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma in
case no. 02-CV-467, Judge Joe Heaton.
___________________________
DECIDED: May 20, 2009
___________________________
*
Before MAYER, and RADER, Circuit Judges, and POSNER, Circuit Judge .
RADER, Circuit Judge.
The United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma upheld the
jury verdict that claim 5 of Patent Enforcement Team's (PET's) patent, U.S. Patent No.
4,701,069 (’069 Patent), is invalid due to anticipation or obviousness. Furthermore, the
district court found the ’069 Patent is unenforceable due to inequitable conduct of PET
* Honorable Richard A. Posner, Circuit Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the
Seventh Circuit, sitting by designation.
during the reexamination of the patent. The district court also concluded that this is an
exceptional case and awarded Dickson Industries, Inc. (Dickson) attorney fees under 35
U.S.C. § 285. This court affirms the district court’s ruling that claim 5 is invalid.
Nevertheless, because the trial court erred in finding PET's patents unenforceable due
to inequitable conduct, this court remands for a new trial on inequitable conduct, and
accordingly, vacates the award of attorney fees based on the exceptional case finding.
I.
Dickson, an Oklahoma company, filed suit against PET, a Florida Company,
seeking a Declaratory Judgment that PET’s ’069 Patent is invalid and unenforceable.
Dickson manufactures and sells machines to cut rumble strips. PET is in the business
of licensing patents. By way of introduction to its licensing program, PET informed
companies that using certain machines to cut rumble strips might infringe the ’069
patent. PET invited these companies to negotiate a license. In 2001, PET approached
Midstate Traffic Controls, Inc. (Midstate), one of Dickson’s customers. Midstate refused
to enter into a license agreement with PET. Instead, Midstate sued Dickson for
indemnification. After Midstate and Dickson reached a settlement, Dickson filed a
Declaratory Judgment Action against PET in the United States District Court for the
Western District of Oklahoma. 1
1
On appeal, PET challenges personal jurisdiction in the Western District of Oklahoma.
However, PET stipulated to personal jurisdiction in Oklahoma when it entered into the
Joint Motion to Dismiss in the United States District Court of Arizona, agreeing to be
bound by “any and all findings and conclusions in the Oklahoma Action.” [A1213]
Moreover, PET waived any further objection regarding personal jurisdiction when it
stipulated to the fact “This court has jurisdiction over this matter” in the Joint Status
Report and Discovery Plan, submitted to the court on February 27, 2006. [A1218]
2008-1372, -1398 2
Dickson subsequently amended its Complaint to allege that PET tortiously
interfered with Dickson’s business relations, and PET filed a counterclaim against
Dickson for infringement of claim 5 of the ’069 Patent. In early 2003, the case was
administratively closed pending reexamination of the patent. It was re-opened in 2006
after the USPTO upheld claims 1-7 of the original ’069 Patent.
After issuing its Markman ruling, the district court entered a Scheduling Order
setting deadlines for all parties to file a motion for leave to amend their pleadings.
Dickson timely filed a Motion for Leave to File Second Amended Complaint, seeking to
add an allegation that the ’069 Patent is unenforceable due to inequitable conduct by
PET during reexamination. The district court denied Dickson’s motion. At the same
time, it vacated the prior Scheduling Order and replaced it with one that did not allow for
the amendment of pleadings.
In June 2007, Dickson responded to PET’s Motion for Partial Summary
Judgment on Validity by arguing the ’069 Patent is unenforceable due to inequitable
conduct during reexamination. PET filed a motion in limine to exclude such evidence.
The district court denied the motion 10 days prior to trial. PET renewed its motion at the
pretrial conference. Relying on the court’s denial of Dickson’s Motion for Leave to File
Second Amended Complaint, PET’s attorney told the judge that he believed that the
issue of inequitable conduct during reexamination was not in issue. Moreover, he was
not prepared to try the issue. Nevertheless, the district court denied PET’s renewed
motion in limine and allowed the parties to proceed.
At the conclusion of trial, the jury found claim 5 of the ’069 Patent invalid due to
anticipation or obviousness and PET liable for tortious interference with Dickson’s
2008-1372, -1398 3
business relationships. The jury awarded Dickson both compensatory and punitive
damages in the amount of $1,541,236. The district court upheld the jury’s verdict.
Dickson filed a post-trial Motion to Declare the ’069 Patent Unenforceable Due to
Inequitable Conduct. Dickson alleged that during the reexamination of the ’069 Patent,
PET failed to disclose the Spangler Patent, affidavits concerning the Modified Target
Saw (MTS), and the video and photos of the operation of the MTS. After concluding
that the omitted references are material and the omission of these references was done
with the intent to deceive, the district court granted Dickson’s motion and ruled that the
’069 Patent is unenforceable due to inequitable conduct by PET during reexamination.
Furthermore, the district court concluded that this is an exceptional case under 35
U.S.C. § 285 because Dickson has shown by clear and convincing evidence that PET
and/or its attorneys engaged in inequitable conduct before the USPTO during the re-
examination.
II.
The ’069 Patent is entitled “Rain Drainage Grooves in a Road and Apparatus for
Making Them.” James Whitney filed a patent application for the invention in 1986. The
patent issued in 1987. Claim 5 is representative:
A method of forming a plurality of grooves in the surface of a road, the method
including the steps of rotating a cutting cylinder about an axis which is
substantially horizontal and which axis is at an angle to the longitudinal direction
of the road, moving the rotating cutting cylinder along the road, and
simultaneously, moving said cylinder alternately up above the road surface and
down into said road surface, to thereby from a plurality of generally parallel
grooves in the road each groove have a forward side wall and a rearward side
wall.
U.S. Patent No. 4,701,069 (filed Dec. 10, 1986). During trial, Dickson alleged that the
Spangler Patent, issued in 1984, anticipates the ’069 Patent. Dickson further alleged
2008-1372, -1398 4
that during the reexamination of the ’069 Patent, PET failed to disclose the Spangler
Patent and other material prior art references and documentation.
The Spangler Patent discloses a grinding apparatus that can travel over the road
surface while the grinding wheel is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder allowing the
grinding wheel to move up above and down into the road surface, in order to cut rumble
strips. U.S. Patent No. 4,473,319 (filed Apr. 27, 1982) (“[M]odifying the existing road
surface to obtain said desire profile by propelling road resurfacing equipment over the
existing the road surface while continuously controlling said road resurfacing
equipment . . . .”). PET learned about the Spangler patent prior reexamination;
however, it did not disclose the patent to the USPTO during the reexamination.
III.
Anticipation under 35 U.S.C. §102 requires a single prior art reference which
discloses each and every element of the claimed invention. See Akzo N.V. v. U.S. Int’l
Trade Comm’n, 808 F.2d 1471, 1479 (Fed. Cir. 1986). In an anticipation analysis, what
a prior art reference discloses is a factual determination that this Court reviews for clear
error. See Zenon Environmental, Inc. v. U.S. Filter Corp., 506 F.3d 1370, 1377
(Fed. Cir. 2007). The Court must assume that all underlying factual issues were
resolved in favor of the verdict winner, and must uphold the findings if they are
supported by substantial evidence. Akamai Technologies, Inc. v. Cable & Wireless
Internet Services, Inc., 344 F.3d 1186, 1192 (Fed. Cir. 2003). A factual finding is
supported by substantial evidence if a reasonable jury could have found in favor of the
prevailing party in light of the evidence presented at trial. Id.
2008-1372, -1398 5
There is substantial evidence to lead a reasonable jury to find that the Spangler
Patent anticipates the ’069 Patent. The Spangler Patent discloses a grinding apparatus
that can travel over the road surface while the grinding wheel is controlled by a
hydraulic cylinder, allowing the grinding wheel to move up and down into the road
surface to form the desired rumble strips. Dickson’s expert, Chris Bailey, testified
concerning the Spangler Patent and concluded that the Spangler Patent contains each
and every element of claim 5 of the ’069 Patent.
The Spangler Patent contemplates an application to cut rumble strips and
discloses an embodiment in which a grinding wheel that attaches to a hydraulic cylinder
is used to remove the surface of the road. The operator is able to control the hydraulic
cylinder which in turn alters the vertical position of the grinding wheel. Moreover, PET’s
expert opined that if the jury concludes that one of ordinary skill in the art would read the
Spangler Patent to teach moving the cutting head above the road surface then the
Spangler Patent anticipates claim 5. There is substantial evidence indicating that a
person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the Spangler Patent discloses
moving the cutting head above the road surface via the hydraulic cylinder. As such, the
Spangler Patent anticipates claim 5 of the ’069 Patent.
Thus, this court affirms the district court’s decision to uphold the jury verdict that
claim 5 of the ’069 Patent is invalid.
IV.
Because inequitable conduct ultimately falls within the discretion of the district
court, this court reviews that determination for an abuse of discretion. Kingsdown Med.
Consultants, Ltd. v. Hollister, Inc., 863 F.2d 867, 876 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (en banc). The
2008-1372, -1398 6
trial court's factual findings on the issues of materiality and intent, however, are
reviewed for clear error. Id. Where a court premises its inequitable conduct
determination upon clearly erroneous findings of materiality and/or intent, it constitutes
an abuse of discretion and this court must reverse. Impax Labs., Inc. v. Aventis
Pharms., 468 F.3d 1366, 1375 (Fed. Cir. 2006).
To find a patent unenforceable due to inequitable conduct, the accused infringer
must present clear and convincing evidence that the applicant (1) made an affirmative
misrepresentation of material fact, failed to disclose material information, or submitted
false material information, and (2) intended to deceive the PTO. Cargill, Inc. v. Canbra
Foods, Ltd., 476 F.3d 1359, 1363 (Fed. Cir. 2007). A determination based solely on
one part of the test is legally erroneous. Id.“Information is material when a reasonable examiner would consider it important
in deciding whether to allow the application to issue as a patent.” Star Scientific, 537
F.3d at 1367 (quoting Symantec Corp. v. Computer Assocs. Int’l, Inc., 522 F.3d 1279,
1297 (Fed. Cir. 2008)). For instance, information concealed from the USPTO may be
material even if it does not invalidate the patent. Li Second Family Ltd. P’ship v.
Toshiba Corp., 231 F.3d 1373, 1380 (Fed. Cir. 2000). But an otherwise material
reference is not material if it is merely cumulative to, or less relevant than, information
already considered by the examiner. See Digital Control, Inc. v. Charles Mach.
Works, 437 F.3d 1309, 1319 (Fed. Cir. 2006).
Moreover, “materiality does not presume intent, which is a separate and essential
component of inequitable conduct.” GFI, Inc. v. Franklin Corp., 265 F.3d 1268, 1274
(Fed. Cir. 2001). The alleged infringer must prove with clear and convincing evidence
2008-1372, -1398 7
that the patentee concealed the material information with the specific intent to mislead
or deceive the USPTO. Star Scientific, 537 F.3d at 1366. And even gross negligence is
insufficient to prove intent to deceive. Kingsdown, 863 F.2d at 876. “In a case involving
nondisclosure of information, clear and convincing evidence must show that the
applicant made a deliberate decision to withhold a known material reference.” Star
Scientific, 537 F.3d at 1366 (quoting Molins PLC v. Textron, Inc., 48 F.3d 1172, 1181
(Fed. Cir. 1995)).
In this case, the district court denied Dickson’s motion to amend its complaint to
add the issue of inequitable conduct during reexamination. Relying on the district
court’s earlier ruling, PET did not fully prepare the issue for trial. Then, despite PET’s
motion in limine and repeated objection, the district allowed the issue to be presented at
trial. The district court’s inconsistent orders prejudiced PET and denied it the
opportunity to adequately defend against the allegation of inequitable conduct at trial.
For instance, PET was denied the opportunity to introduce evidence of good faith, which
militates against a finding of deceptive intent. See, e.g., Larson Mfg. Co. of S.D. v.
Aluminart Products Ltd., 559 F.3d 1317, 1341 (Fed. Cir. 2009).
The district court’s contradicting positions undermine the legitimacy of its ruling
on inequitable conduct. This court cannot say with confidence that the record regarding
inequitable conduct is not incomplete. Thus, this court vacates the district’s decision on
the issue of inequitable conduct and remands to provide an opportunity to fully develop
the record regarding inequitable conduct. Further, this Court vacates the award of
attorney fees premised on inequitable conduct as premature.
2008-1372, -1398 8
On remand, in order to prevail, Dickson must prove, by clear and convincing
evidence that PET failed to disclose material information to the USPTO and intent to
deceive the USPTO. See Star Scientific, 537 F.3d at 1366. The materiality prong and
the intent prong are separate components of the inequitable conduct and must be
independently satisfied. Id. Materiality does not presume intent and in the case of
omission of material information, possession of the material references alone is
insufficient to prove intent. Larson, 559 F.3d at 1341. Rather, there must be clear and
convincing evidence that PET intended to deceive or mislead the USPTO. Id.This court has long recognized that “the habit of charging inequitable conduct in
almost every major patent case has become an absolute plague.” Burlington Indus.,
Inc. v. Dayco Corp., 849 F.2d 1418, 1422 (Fed. Cir. 1988). Given the severe
consequences of unenforceability when it is imposed on a patent, it is paramount that
the district court exercise necessary caution to ensure that the patent owner met its
burden of proof with respect to both the materiality and deceptive intent.
V.
Because substantial evidence supports the jury verdict that claim 5 of the ’069
Patent is invalid due to anticipation or obviousness, this court affirms in part. However,
this court vacates the district court’s finding that the ’069 is unenforceable due to
inequitable conduct during reexamination and vacates the award of attorney fees
premised on inequitable conduct. This court remands in order to create a complete
record and provide PET an opportunity to defend against Dickson’s allegation of
inequitable conduct.
AFFIRMED IN PART, VACATED IN PART, AND REMANDED
2008-1372, -1398 9