VARTA Microbattery GmbH v. Costco Wholesale Corporation

2:20-cv-00051

Overview

Case Number 2:20-cv-00051

Filing Date 2020-02-24

Status Terminated

Termination Date 2024-10-28

Court District Court, E.D. Texas (txed)

Presiding Judge Rodney Gilstrap

Nature of Suit 830 Patent

Jurisdiction Type Federal Question

Cause of Action 35:271 Patent Infringement

Jury Demand Both

Parties

Consol Defendant

Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Represented By

4 Attorneys Listed

Stephen Andrew Marshall

Covington & Burling, LLP

Tel: +1 (202) 662-5558

One City Center, 850 Tenth Street, N.W.

Michael J McKeon

Fish & Richardson PC - Washington DC

Tel: +1 (202) 783-5070

Fax: +1 (202) 783-2331

1000 Maine Ave., SW, Suite 1000

Thomas Howard Reger , II

Fish & Richardson P.C. - Dallas

Tel: +1 (214) 292-4084

Fax: +1 (214) 747-2091

1717 Main Street, Suite 5000, Dallas, TX 75201

Melissa Richards Smith

Gillam & Smith, LLP

Tel: +1 (903) 934-8450

Fax: +1 (903) 934-9257

303 South Washington Avenue, Marshall, TX 75670

Audio Partnership PLC

Represented By

4 Attorneys Listed

Jennifer C Tempesta

Baker Botts LLP - New York

Tel: +1 (212) 408-2571

Fax: +1 (212) 259-2571

30 Rockefeller Plaza, 44th Floor

Jeffery Derek Baxter

O'Melveny & Myers LLP

Tel: +1 (972) 360-1917

2801 North Harwood Street, Suite 1600

Paul Anthony Ragusa

Baker Botts LLP - New York

Tel: +1 (212) 408-2500

Fax: +1 (212) 408-2501

30 Rockefeller Plaza, 44th Floor

Melissa Richards Smith

Gillam & Smith, LLP

Tel: +1 (903) 934-8450

Fax: +1 (903) 934-9257

303 South Washington Avenue, Marshall, TX 75670

Audio Partnership LLC

Represented By

4 Attorneys Listed

Jennifer C Tempesta

Baker Botts LLP - New York

Tel: +1 (212) 408-2571

Fax: +1 (212) 259-2571

30 Rockefeller Plaza, 44th Floor

Jeffery Derek Baxter

O'Melveny & Myers LLP

Tel: +1 (972) 360-1917

2801 North Harwood Street, Suite 1600

Paul Anthony Ragusa

Baker Botts LLP - New York

Tel: +1 (212) 408-2500

Fax: +1 (212) 408-2501

30 Rockefeller Plaza, 44th Floor

Melissa Richards Smith

Gillam & Smith, LLP

Tel: +1 (903) 934-8450

Fax: +1 (903) 934-9257

303 South Washington Avenue, Marshall, TX 75670

PEAG, LLC

Represented By

4 Attorneys Listed

Jennifer C Tempesta

Baker Botts LLP - New York

Tel: +1 (212) 408-2571

Fax: +1 (212) 259-2571

30 Rockefeller Plaza, 44th Floor

Jeffery Derek Baxter

O'Melveny & Myers LLP

Tel: +1 (972) 360-1917

2801 North Harwood Street, Suite 1600

Paul Anthony Ragusa

Baker Botts LLP - New York

Tel: +1 (212) 408-2500

Fax: +1 (212) 408-2501

30 Rockefeller Plaza, 44th Floor

Melissa Richards Smith

Gillam & Smith, LLP

Tel: +1 (903) 934-8450

Fax: +1 (903) 934-9257

303 South Washington Avenue, Marshall, TX 75670

BestBuy.com, LLC

Represented By

2 Attorneys Listed

Thomas Howard Reger , II

Fish & Richardson P.C. - Dallas

Tel: +1 (214) 292-4084

Fax: +1 (214) 747-2091

1717 Main Street, Suite 5000, Dallas, TX 75201

Melissa Richards Smith

Gillam & Smith, LLP

Tel: +1 (903) 934-8450

Fax: +1 (903) 934-9257

303 South Washington Avenue, Marshall, TX 75670

Best Buy Texas.com, LLC

Represented By

2 Attorneys Listed

Thomas Howard Reger , II

Fish & Richardson P.C. - Dallas

Tel: +1 (214) 292-4084

Fax: +1 (214) 747-2091

1717 Main Street, Suite 5000, Dallas, TX 75201

Melissa Richards Smith

Gillam & Smith, LLP

Tel: +1 (903) 934-8450

Fax: +1 (903) 934-9257

303 South Washington Avenue, Marshall, TX 75670

Best Buy Stores, LP

Represented By

2 Attorneys Listed

Thomas Howard Reger , II

Fish & Richardson P.C. - Dallas

Tel: +1 (214) 292-4084

Fax: +1 (214) 747-2091

1717 Main Street, Suite 5000, Dallas, TX 75201

Melissa Richards Smith

Gillam & Smith, LLP

Tel: +1 (903) 934-8450

Fax: +1 (903) 934-9257

303 South Washington Avenue, Marshall, TX 75670

Best Buy Co., Inc.

Represented By

1 Attorneys Listed

Melissa Richards Smith

Gillam & Smith, LLP

Tel: +1 (903) 934-8450

Fax: +1 (903) 934-9257

303 South Washington Avenue, Marshall, TX 75670

Amazon.Com, Inc.,

Represented By

1 Attorneys Listed

Melissa Richards Smith

Gillam & Smith, LLP

Tel: +1 (903) 934-8450

Fax: +1 (903) 934-9257

303 South Washington Avenue, Marshall, TX 75670

Defendant

Costco Wholesale Corporation

Represented By

2 Attorneys Listed

Thomas Howard Reger , II

Fish & Richardson P.C. - Dallas

Tel: +1 (214) 292-4084

Fax: +1 (214) 747-2091

1717 Main Street, Suite 5000, Dallas, TX 75201

Melissa Richards Smith

Gillam & Smith, LLP

Tel: +1 (903) 934-8450

Fax: +1 (903) 934-9257

303 South Washington Avenue, Marshall, TX 75670

Plaintiff

VARTA Microbattery GmbH

Represented By

5 Attorneys Listed

Andrew William Stinson

Ramey & Flock, PC

Tel: +1 (903) 597-3301

100 E Ferguson Street, Suite 500

Wesley O Mueller

Leydig Voit & Mayer - Chicago

Tel: +1 (312) 616-5600

Fax: +1 (312) 616-5700

Leydig Voit & Mayer - Chicago, Two Prudential Plaza

Robert T Wittmann

Leydig Voit & Mayer - Chicago

Tel: +1 (312) 616-5600

Fax: +1 (312) 616-5700

Leydig Voit & Mayer - Chicago, Two Prudential Plaza

J. Karl Gross

Leydig Voit & Mayer - Chicago

Tel: +1 (312) 616-5600

Fax: +1 (312) 616-5700

Leydig Voit & Mayer - Chicago, Two Prudential Plaza

H Michael Hartmann

Leydig Voit & Mayer - Chicago

Tel: +1 (312) 616-5600

Fax: +1 (312) 616-5700

Leydig Voit & Mayer - Chicago, Two Prudential Plaza

Technical Advisor

Donald E Tiller

Represented By

0 Attorneys Listed

No attorneys available

Court & Judges

Court

District Court, E.D. Texas (txed)

Presiding Judge

Rodney Gilstrap

Patents Involved

4 Patents

There are 4 patents involved in this case.

Application Number	Patent Number	External Links
-	US9153835	Espacenet Google Patents
-	US9496581	Espacenet Google Patents
-	US9799913	Espacenet Google Patents
-	US9799858	Espacenet Google Patents

Docket Entries

COMPLAINT against Costco Wholesale Corporation ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0540-7678256.), filed by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet)(Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 02/24/2020)

2020-02-24

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COMPLAINT against Costco Wholesale Corporation ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0540-7678256.), filed by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet)(Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 02/24/2020)

2020-02-24

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COMPLAINT against Costco Wholesale Corporation ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0540-7678256.), filed by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet)(Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 02/24/2020)

2020-02-24

View

COMPLAINT against Costco Wholesale Corporation ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0540-7678256.), filed by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet)(Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 02/24/2020)

2020-02-24

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VARTA Microbattery GmbH v. Costco Wholesale Corporation

Overview

Parties

Consol Defendant

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. Follow

Represented By

Audio Partnership PLC Follow

Represented By

Audio Partnership LLC Follow

Represented By

PEAG, LLC Follow

Represented By

BestBuy.com, LLC Follow

Represented By

Best Buy Texas.com, LLC Follow

Represented By

Best Buy Stores, LP Follow

Represented By

Best Buy Co., Inc. Follow

Represented By

Amazon.Com, Inc., Follow

Represented By

Defendant

Costco Wholesale Corporation Follow

Represented By

Plaintiff

VARTA Microbattery GmbH Follow

Represented By

Technical Advisor

Donald E Tiller Follow

Represented By

Court & Judges

Patents Involved

Docket Entries

COMPLAINT against Costco Wholesale Corporation ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0540-7678256.), filed by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet)(Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 02/24/2020)

COMPLAINT against Costco Wholesale Corporation ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0540-7678256.), filed by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet)(Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 02/24/2020)

COMPLAINT against Costco Wholesale Corporation ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0540-7678256.), filed by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet)(Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 02/24/2020)

COMPLAINT against Costco Wholesale Corporation ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0540-7678256.), filed by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet)(Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 02/24/2020)

COMPLAINT against Costco Wholesale Corporation ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0540-7678256.), filed by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet)(Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 02/24/2020)

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT filed by VARTA Microbattery GmbH identifying Corporate Parent VARTA AG for VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 02/24/2020)

Notice of Filing of Patent/Trademark Form (AO 120). AO 120 mailed to the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 02/24/2020)

SUMMONS Issued as to Costco Wholesale Corporation. (ch, ) (Entered: 02/25/2020)

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Notice of Magistrate Availability

Case assigned to District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. (ch, )

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance - Pro Hac Vice by H Michael Hartmann on behalf of All Plaintiffs. Filing fee $ 100, receipt number 0540-7685445. (Hartmann, H) (Entered: 02/27/2020)

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance - Pro Hac Vice by J. Karl Gross on behalf of All Plaintiffs. Filing fee $ 100, receipt number 0540-7685451. (Gross, J.) (Entered: 02/27/2020)

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance - Pro Hac Vice by Robert T Wittmann on behalf of VARTA Microbattery GmbH. Filing fee $ 100, receipt number 0540-7692813. (Wittmann, Robert) (Entered: 03/04/2020)

SUMMONS Returned Executed by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. Costco Wholesale Corporation served on 2/27/2020, answer due 3/19/2020. (Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 03/04/2020)

DEMAND for Trial by Jury by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 03/09/2020)

Defendant's Unopposed First Application for Extension of Time to Answer Complaint re Costco Wholesale Corporation.( Smith, Melissa) (Entered: 03/16/2020)

Application Granted for Extension of Time to Answer Complaint

Defendant's Unopposed FIRST Application for Extension of Time to Answer Complaint is granted pursuant to Local Rule CV-12 for Costco Wholesale Corporation to 4/18/2020. 30 Days Granted for Deadline Extension.( ch, )

***FILED IN ERROR***NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Wesley O Mueller on behalf of VARTA Microbattery GmbH (Mueller, Wesley) Modified on 3/20/2020 (ch, ). (Entered: 03/20/2020)

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance - Pro Hac Vice by Wesley O Mueller on behalf of VARTA Microbattery GmbH. Filing fee $ 100, receipt number 0540-7719219. (Mueller, Wesley) (Entered: 03/20/2020)

Notice of Docket Correction

***FILED IN ERROR. FILED UNDER WRONG EVENT Document # 11, Notice of Attorney Appearance PHV PLEASE IGNORE.*** (ch, )

ORDER - Scheduling Conference set for 5/18/2020 01:30 PM before District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Signed by District Judge Rodney Gilstrap on 4/17/2020. (nkl, ) (Entered: 04/17/2020)

ANSWER to 1 Complaint, by Amazon.Com, Inc.,.(Smith, Melissa) (Entered: 04/20/2020)

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT filed by Amazon.Com, Inc., (Smith, Melissa) (Entered: 04/20/2020)

ANSWER to 1 Complaint, by Costco Wholesale Corporation.(Reger, Thomas) (Entered: 04/20/2020)

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT filed by Costco Wholesale Corporation (Reger, Thomas) (Entered: 04/20/2020)

Notice of Magistrate Availability

NOTICE of Readiness for Scheduling Conference by VARTA Microbattery GmbH (Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 04/24/2020)

Notice of Hearing

NOTICE of Discovery Disclosure by VARTA Microbattery GmbH Compliance with PR 3-1 & 3-2 (Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 05/05/2020)

FIRST AMENDED ORDER FOR SCHEDULING CONFERENCE. Telephone Conference 5/18/2020 at 11:00 am before Honorable Rodney Gilstrap. Signed by District Judge Rodney Gilstrap on 5/7/2020. (nkl, ) Modified on 5/12/2020 (ch, ). (Entered: 05/08/2020)

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Paul Anthony Ragusa on behalf of Audio Partnership LLC, Audio Partnership PLC, PEAG, LLC (Ragusa, Paul) (Entered: 05/12/2020)

Joint MOTION to Dismiss by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 05/12/2020)

Joint MOTION to Dismiss by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 05/12/2020)

***FILED IN ERROR***ORDER granting 24 Joint MOTION to Dismiss without prejudice Best Buy Co., Inc. (Consolidated from 2:20-cv-54). Signed by District Judge Rodney Gilstrap on 5/13/2020. (ch, ) Modified on 5/13/2020 (ch, ). (Entered: 05/13/2020)

ANSWER to Complaint by PEAG, LLC.(Ragusa, Paul) (Entered: 05/13/2020)

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT filed by PEAG, LLC (Ragusa, Paul) (Entered: 05/13/2020)

ANSWER to 1 Complaint, by Audio Partnership LLC, Audio Partnership PLC.(Ragusa, Paul) (Entered: 05/13/2020)

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT filed by Audio Partnership LLC, Audio Partnership PLC identifying Corporate Parent Audio Partnership PLC for Audio Partnership LLC. (Ragusa, Paul) (Entered: 05/13/2020)

ORDER granting 24 Motion to Dismiss without prejudice Best Buy Co Inc. Signed by District Judge Rodney Gilstrap on 5/13/2020. (ch, ) (Entered: 05/13/2020)

ANSWER to Complaint by Best Buy Stores, LP, Best Buy Texas.com, LLC, BestBuy.com, LLC.(Reger, Thomas) (Entered: 05/13/2020)

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT filed by Best Buy Stores, LP, Best Buy Texas.com, LLC, BestBuy.com, LLC (Reger, Thomas) (Entered: 05/13/2020)

Joint MOTION for Leave to File by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 05/13/2020)

Joint MOTION for Leave to File by VARTA Microbattery GmbH. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Stinson, Andrew) (Entered: 05/13/2020)

Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Audio Partnership PLC

Audio Partnership LLC

PEAG, LLC

BestBuy.com, LLC

Best Buy Texas.com, LLC

Best Buy Stores, LP

Best Buy Co., Inc.

Amazon.Com, Inc.,

Costco Wholesale Corporation

VARTA Microbattery GmbH

Donald E Tiller

FILED IN ERRORNOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Wesley O Mueller on behalf of VARTA Microbattery GmbH (Mueller, Wesley) Modified on 3/20/2020 (ch, ). (Entered: 03/20/2020)

FILED IN ERROR. FILED UNDER WRONG EVENT Document # 11, Notice of Attorney Appearance PHV PLEASE IGNORE. (ch, )

FILED IN ERRORORDER granting 24 Joint MOTION to Dismiss without prejudice Best Buy Co., Inc. (Consolidated from 2:20-cv-54). Signed by District Judge Rodney Gilstrap on 5/13/2020. (ch, ) Modified on 5/13/2020 (ch, ). (Entered: 05/13/2020)

FILED IN ERROR. PER CHAMBERS Document # 25, Order. PLEASE IGNORE. (ch, )

FILED IN ERROR PER ATTORNEY. Document # 45, Joint MOTION for Entry of Docket Control Order. PLEASE IGNORE. (nkl, )

FILED IN ERRORORDER OF LIMITED REFERRAL. Signed by District Judge Rodney Gilstrap on 10/27/2020. (ch, ) Modified on 10/28/2020 (ch, ). (Entered: 10/28/2020)

FILED IN ERROR. WRONG CASE Document # 71, ORDER OF LIMITED REFERRAL. PLEASE IGNORE. (ch, )