Free Answer to Amended Complaint - District Court of Delaware - Delaware

Case 1:07-cv-00651-GMS

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE NETCRAFT CORPORATION, Plaintiff, v. AT&T INC., AT&T MOBILITY LLC, BOOST MOBILE LLC, CELLCO PARTNERSHIP, SPRINT NEXTEL CORPORATION, and T-MOBILE USA INC., Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

C.A. No. 07-651 (***)

JURY TRIAL DEMANDED

ANSWER AND DEFENSES OF DEFENDANT SPRINT NEXTEL CORPORATION TO NETCRAFT CORPORATION'S AMENDED COMPLAINT Defendant Sprint Nextel Corporation ("Sprint Nextel" or "Defendant"), by and through its counsel, hereby answers the Amended Complaint for Patent Infringement of Netcraft Corporation ("Netcraft" or "Plaintiff') as follows: THE PARTIES 1. Sprint Nextel is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a

belief regarding the allegations of Paragraph 1 of the Amended Complaint, and on that basis denies those allegations. 2. Paragraph 2 does not require a response from Sprint Nextel. To the extent

that Paragraph 2 is deemed to require a response, Sprint Nextel is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief regarding the allegations of Paragraph 2 of the Amended Complaint, and on that basis denies those allegations. 3. Complaint. Sprint Nextel admits the allegations of Paragraph 3 of the Amended

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4.

Sprint Nextel admits that Boost Mobile is a subsidiary of Sprint Nextel

Corporation. Sprint Nextel denies all remaining allegations of Paragraph 4 of the Amended Complaint. 5. Paragraph 5 does not require a response from Sprint Nextel. To the extent

that Paragraph 5 is deemed to require a response, Sprint Nextel is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief regarding the allegations of Paragraph 5 of the Amended Complaint, and on that basis denies those allegations. 6. Paragraph 6 does not require a response from Sprint Nextel. To the extent

that Paragraph 6 is deemed to require a response, Sprint Nextel is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief regarding the allegations of Paragraph 6 of the Amended Complaint, and on that basis denies those allegations. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 7. Sprint Nextel admits that this purports to be an action for patent

infringement arising under the patent laws of the United States, but denies any liability thereunder. Sprint Nextel denies any remaining allegations of Paragraph 7 of the Amended Complaint. 8. Paragraph 8 does not require a response from Sprint Nextel as to the other

defendants. To the extent that Paragraph 8 is deemed to require a response as to the other defendants, Sprint Nextel is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief regarding the allegations of Paragraph 8 of the Amended Complaint as to the other defendants, and on that basis denies those allegations. 9. Complaint. Sprint Nextel denies all allegations of Paragraph 9 of the Amended

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10.

Paragraph 10 does not require a response from Sprint Nextel as to the

other defendants. To the extent that Paragraph 10 is deemed to require a response as to the other defendants, Sprint Nextel is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief regarding the allegations of Paragraph 10 of the Amended Complaint as to the other defendants, and on that basis denies those allegations. 11. Paragraph 11 does not require a response from Sprint Nextel as to the

other defendants. To the extent that Paragraph 11 is deemed to require a response as to the other defendants, Sprint Nextel is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief regarding the allegations of Paragraph 11 of the Amended Complaint as to the other defendants, and on that basis denies those allegations. 12. Paragraph 12 does not require a response from Sprint Nextel as to the

other defendants. To the extent that Paragraph 12 is deemed to require a response as to the other defendants, Sprint Nextel is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief regarding the allegations of Paragraph 12 of the Amended Complaint as to the other defendants, and on that basis denies those allegations. 13. Complaint. COUNT I (PATENT INFRINGEMENT) 14. Sprint Nextel incorporates by reference its responses to paragraphs 1-13 as Sprint Nextel denies all allegations of Paragraph 13 of the Amended

though fully set forth herein. 15. Sprint Nextel admits that the `221 patent on its face purports to have

issued on August 11, 1998, lists a title of "INTERNET BILLING METHOD," but denies that the `221 patent was duly and legally issued that day. Sprint Nextel admits that what purports to be a

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copy of the `221 patent is attached to the Amended Complaint.

Sprint Nextel is without

knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief regarding the remaining allegations of Paragraph 15 of the Amended Complaint, and on that basis denies those allegations. 16. Sprint Nextel admits that the `940 patent on its face purports to have

issued on June 25, 2002, lists a title of "INTERNET BILLING METHOD," but denies that the `940 patent was duly and legally issued that day. Sprint Nextel admits that what purports to be a copy of the `940 patent is attached to the Amended Complaint. Sprint Nextel is without

knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief regarding the remaining allegations of Paragraph 16 of the Amended Complaint, and on that basis denies those allegations. 17. Paragraph 17 does not require a response from Sprint Nextel as to the

other defendants. To the extent that Paragraph 17 is deemed to require a response as to the other defendants, Sprint Nextel is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief regarding the allegations of Paragraph 17 of the Amended Complaint as to the other defendants, and on that basis denies those allegations. 18. Paragraph 18 does not require a response from Sprint Nextel as to the

other defendants. To the extent that Paragraph 18 is deemed to require a response as to the other defendants, Sprint Nextel is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief regarding the allegations of Paragraph 18 of the Amended Complaint as to the other defendants, and on that basis denies those allegations. 19. Paragraph 19 does not require a response from Sprint Nextel as to the

other defendants. To the extent that Paragraph 19 is deemed to require a response as to the other defendants, Sprint Nextel is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief

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regarding the allegations of Paragraph 19 of the Amended Complaint as to the other defendants, and on that basis denies those allegations. 20. Sprint Nextel denies the allegations of Paragraph 20 of the Amended

Complaint, and specifically denies that it is infringing, has infringed, has actively induced others to infringe, or has contributed to the infringement of any valid claim of the `221 or `940 patents. 21. Paragraph 21 does not require a response from Sprint Nextel as to the

other defendants. To the extent that Paragraph 21 is deemed to require a response as to the other defendants, Sprint Nextel is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief regarding the allegations of Paragraph 21 of the Amended Complaint as to the other defendants, and on that basis denies those allegations. 22. Paragraph 22 does not require a response from Sprint Nextel as to the

other defendants. To the extent that Paragraph 22 is deemed to require a response as to the other defendants, Sprint Nextel is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief regarding the allegations of Paragraph 22 of the Amended Complaint as to the other defendants, and on that basis denies those allegations. 23. Paragraph 23 does not require a response from Sprint Nextel. To the

extent that Paragraph 23 is deemed to require a response, Sprint Nextel is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief regarding the remaining allegations of Paragraph 23 of the Amended Complaint, and on that basis denies those allegations. 24. Complaint. 25. Complaint. Sprint Nextel denies the allegations of Paragraph 25 of the Amended Sprint Nextel denies the allegations of Paragraph 24 of the Amended

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SPRINT NEXTEL'S DEFENSES First Defense (Failure to State a Claim) 1. As and for a separate defense, Sprint Nextel alleges on information and

belief that the Amended Complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted because Sprint Nextel has not performed any act or thing in violation of any rights that validly belong to Netcraft under the `221 or `940 patents. Second Defense (Non-Infringement) 2. As and for a separate defense, Sprint Nextel alleges on information and

belief that it has not infringed and does not infringe any valid claim of the `221 or `940 patents literally, directly, indirectly, contributorily, by way of inducement, or under the doctrine of equivalents. Third Defense (Invalidity) 3. As and for a separate defense, Sprint Nextel alleges on information and

belief that the claims of the `221 and/or `940 patents are invalid for failing to meet one or more of the conditions for patentability set forth in 35 U.S.C. §§ 101, 102, 103 and/or 112. Fourth Defense (35 U.S.C. § 287--Notice) 4. As and for a separate defense, Sprint Nextel alleges on information and

belief that any claim for damages for patent infringement by Plaintiff is limited by 35 U.S.C. § 287 to only those damages occurring after proper and sufficient notice of infringement to Sprint Nextel.

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Fifth Defense (Personal Jurisdiction) 5. As and for a separate defense, Sprint Nextel alleges on information and

belief that the Court lacks personal jurisdiction over Sprint Nextel. Sixth Defense (Improper Venue) 6. As and for a separate defense, Sprint Nextel alleges on information and

belief that the Amended Complaint should be dismissed for improper venue. Seventh Defense (Reservation Of Additional Defenses) 7. Sprint Nextel presently has insufficient knowledge or information upon

which to form a belief as to whether it may have additional, yet unstated, defenses. As such, Sprint Nextel reserves the right to assert additional defenses in the event investigation or discovery indicates that additional defenses are appropriate, including, but not limited to, defenses of inequitable conduct, patent misuse, and unclean hands. PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, Sprint Nextel prays for relief as follows: A. That Plaintiff's Amended Complaint be dismissed with prejudice and that

Plaintiff recover nothing thereon; B. That Netcraft be required to pay Sprint Nextel attorneys' fees and

expenses pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 285; C. D. That Netcraft be required to pay Sprint Nextel's costs; and For such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and fair.

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DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Sprint Nextel requests a jury trial of any issues triable by jury. MORRIS, NICHOLS, ARSHT & TUNNELL LLP

/s/ Mary B. Graham (#2256)
Mary B. Graham (#2256) James W. Parrett, Jr. (#4292) 1201 N. Market Street P.O. Box 1347 Wilmington, DE 19899-1347 (302) 658-9200 OF COUNSEL: James L. Wamsley, III JONES DAY North Point 901 Lakeside Avenue Cleveland, OH 44114-1190 Mark V. Campagna JONES DAY 1420 Peachtree Street, N.E. Suite 800 Atlanta, GA 30309-3053 January 22, 2008
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Attorneys for Boost Mobile LLC and Sprint Nextel Corporation

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that on January 22, 2008, I electronically filed the foregoing document with the Clerk of the Court using CM/ECF, which will send notification of such filing to all registered recipients. Additionally, I hereby certify that true and correct copies of the foregoing were caused to be served on January 22, 2008 upon the following individuals in the manner indicated: VIA HAND DELIVERY AND E-MAIL Steven J. Balick ASHBY & GEDDES 500 Delaware Avenue 8th Floor Wilmington, DE 19801 Anne Shea Gaza RICHARDS, LAYTON & FINGER One Rodney Square Wilmington, DE 19801 Timothy Devlin Kyle Wagner Compton FISH & RICHARDSON, P.C. 919 N. Market Street, Suite 1100 Wilmington, DE 19801 Richard L. Horwitz John E. James David Ellis Moore POTTER ANDERSON & CORROON, LLP 1313 N. Market Street Hercules Plaza, 6th Floor Wilmington, DE 19801

VIA E-MAIL H. Jonathan Redway DICKINSON WRIGHT PLLC 1901 L. Street, N.W. Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036-3506 Michael A. Schaldenbrand DICKINSON WRIGHT PLLC 38525 Woodward Avenue Suite 2000 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304-2970

/s/ James W. Parrett, Jr. (#4292) James W. Parrett, Jr. (#4292) [email protected]
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