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

Case 1:05-cv-00048-SLR

Document 83

Filed 10/13/2005

Page 1 of 10

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE HITACHI, LTD., and UNISIA NORTH AMERICA, INC., Plaintiffs, v. BORGWARNER INC., and BORGWARNER MORSE TEC INC., Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Civil Action No. 05-048-SLR

JURY TRIAL DEMANDED

DEFENDANTS' FIRST AMENDED ANSWER TO PLAINTIFFS' SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT, COUNTERCLAIM AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Pursuant to the Court's Order dated September 29, 2005 and to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(4)(A), Defendants BorgWarner Inc. and BorgWarner Morse TEC Inc. (collectively "BorgWarner" where appropriate) for their Amended Answer to Plaintiffs Hitachi, Ltd.'s, ("Hitachi") and Unisia North America, Inc.'s ("UNAI") Second Amended Complaint for Declaratory Judgment ("Second Amended Complaint") state as follows: The Parties 1. BorgWarner is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to

the truth of the allegations of paragraph 1 of the Second Amended Complaint and therefore denies them. 2. BorgWarner is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to

the truth of the allegations of paragraph 2 of the Second Amended Complaint and therefore denies them.

Case 1:05-cv-00048-SLR

Document 83

Filed 10/13/2005

Page 2 of 10

3.

BorgWarner admits that BorgWarner Inc. is a Delaware corporation.

BorgWarner admits that BorgWarner Inc. formerly had its principal place of business in Troy, Michigan. BorgWarner Inc. now has its principal place of business in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 4. BorgWarner Morse TEC Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BorgWarner Inc.

BorgWarner admits the remaining allegations of paragraph 4 of the Second Amended Complaint. The Nature of the Action 5. Denied, except BorgWarner admits that the Second Amended Complaint

purports to state a cause of action seeking a declaratory judgment that arises under the patent laws of the United States, Title 35, United States Code. Jurisdiction and Venue 6. Denied, except BorgWarner admits that this Court has jurisdiction of actions for

patent infringement under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a), that this Court has jurisdiction of actions seeking declaratory judgments under 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201 and 2202 and does not contest the declaratory judgment jurisdiction of this Court for this action. 7. Complaint. Declaratory Judgment Claim 8. BorgWarner admits the allegations of paragraph 8 of the Second Amended BorgWarner admits the allegations of paragraph 7 of the Second Amended

Complaint, except as to Stanley B. Quinn being listed as a named inventor on the '738 patent.

2

Case 1:05-cv-00048-SLR

Document 83

Filed 10/13/2005

Page 3 of 10

BorgWarner admits that Stanley B. Quinn, Jr., is listed as a named inventor of the '738 patent. BorgWarner admits a copy of the '738 patent is attached to the Second Amended Complaint as Exhibit A. 9. BorgWarner admits that the '738 patent is assigned to BorgWarner Inc.

BorgWarner admits that Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc. is a former corporate name for BorgWarner Inc. BorgWarner admits that BorgWarner Inc., through its BorgWarner Morse TEC Inc. subsidiary, approached Hitachi to offer a license under the '738 patent. 10. BorgWarner admits that Hitachi was given notice of infringement of the '738

patent at least as early November 2003. BorgWarner admits the remaining allegations of paragraph 10 of the Second Amended Complaint. 11. Denied, except BorgWarner admits that representatives of BorgWarner and

representatives of Hitachi have met at various times since at least as early as December 2003 to discuss the dispute and that representatives of Hitachi and BorgWarner have corresponded with each other regarding the dispute in an unsuccessful effort to resolve the dispute. BorgWarner admits that it has filed a counterclaim alleging infringement of the '738 patent against Hitachi and UNAI in this action. 12. Complaint. 13. Complaint. BorgWarner denies the allegations of paragraph 13 of the Second Amended BorgWarner admits the allegations of paragraph 12 of the Second Amended

3

Case 1:05-cv-00048-SLR

Document 83

Filed 10/13/2005

Page 4 of 10

14. Complaint. 15.

BorgWarner denies the allegations of paragraph 14 of the Second Amended

BorgWarner denies the allegations of paragraph 15 of the Second Amended

Complaint. BorgWarner responds to the specific bases for these allegations as follows: a. Denied, except BorgWarner admits that Interference No. 102,923

("Interference") in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO") involved U.S. Patent No. 5,002,023 ("the '023 Patent"). BorgWarner further admits that the subject matter of the '023 Patent pertains to variable camshaft timing for internal combustion engines and that the '023 Patent is assigned to BorgWarner, Inc. BorgWarner further denies that BorgWarner's Interference counsel (1) prosecuted the then-pending application leading to the '738 patent and/or (2) was substantively involved in the prosecution of the then-pending application leading to the '738 patent. b. Denied, except BorgWarner admits that U.S. Patent No. 4,627,825 (the "Bruss

Patent") is mentioned in the Interference record. BorgWarner further admits that the Bruss Patent is not included on the list of "References Cited" on the front page of the '738 patent. BorgWarner further denies that the Bruss patent is material to the patentability of claim 10 of the '738 patent or that the Bruss patent renders claim 10 invalid. c. Complaint. 16. Denied, except BorgWarner admits that an actual and justiciable controversy BorgWarner denies the allegations of paragraph 15(c) of the Second Amended

concerning the '738 patent exists between BorgWarner and Hitachi and UNAI.

4

Case 1:05-cv-00048-SLR

Document 83

Filed 10/13/2005

Page 5 of 10

Prayer for Relief a. BorgWarner denies that Hitachi and UNAI should be entitled to a declaration that

Hitachi and UNAI have not infringed any claim of the '738 patent, or any other claim. b. BorgWarner denies that Hitachi and UNAI should be entitled to a declaration that

any claim of the '738 patent is invalid. c. BorgWarner denies that Hitachi and UNAI should be entitled to a declaration that

the '738 patent is unenforceable. d. BorgWarner denies that Hitachi and UNAI should be entitled to a declaration that

this is an exceptional case pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §285 and that Hitachi and UNAI are entitled to any attorneys' fees. e. BorgWarner denies that Hitachi and UNAI are entitled to any additional relief. COUNTERCLAIM BorgWarner Inc., for its Counterclaim, alleges and avers against Counterdefendants Hitachi, Ltd., and Unisia North America, Inc., as follows: The Nature of the Counterclaim 17. This Counterclaim for patent infringement arises under the United States Patent

Laws, 35 U.S.C. §§ 101, et seq.

5

Case 1:05-cv-00048-SLR

Document 83

Filed 10/13/2005

Page 6 of 10

The Parties 18. Counterclaimant BorgWarner Inc. is a Delaware corporation, having its principal

place of business in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 19. On information and belief, and as alleged in its Second Amended Complaint,

counterdefendant Hitachi, Ltd. is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Japan, having its principal place of business at 6-6 Marunouchi, 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 1008280 Japan. 20. On information and belief, and as alleged in its Second Amended Complaint,

counterdefendant Unisia North America, Inc. ("UNAI") is a Delaware corporation, having its principal place of business in Farmington Hills, Michigan. On information and belief, UNAI is a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. Jurisdiction and Venue 21. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction of this Counterclaim pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 1338(a). Venue is proper in this District based on 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391(c) and 1400(b). 22. Counterdefendants Hitachi, Ltd. and UNAI are subject to the personal

jurisdiction of this Court by having filed this action in this Court. UNAI also resides in this judicial district. Count I 23. BorgWarner Inc. hereby realleges Paragraphs 17-22 of this Counterclaim.

6

Case 1:05-cv-00048-SLR

Document 83

Filed 10/13/2005

Page 7 of 10

24.

On March 12, 1996, the United States Patent and Trademark Office duly and

legally issued U.S. Patent No. 5,497,738 ("the '738 patent"), entitled "VCT Control With A Direct Electromechanical Actuator," to Edward C. Siemon and Stanley B. Quinn, Jr. BorgWarner Inc. owns all right and interest in the '738 patent, and has the right to recover for past and future damages from infringement. A true and correct copy of the '738 patent is attached hereto as Exhibit A. 25. Hitachi, Ltd. and/or UNAI have infringed and continue to infringe, contributorily

infringe and/or induce the infringement of, the '738 patent by making, using, selling, offering for sale and/or importing into the United States variable camshaft timing components, including without limitation, cam phasers, spool valves and/or solenoids, which are combined with other components to utilize the patented invention. 26. Hitachi, Ltd. and/or UNAI have sold these variable camshaft timing components

to vehicle manufacturers, including without limitation Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and/or Ford Motor Company and/or their United States subsidiaries and/or suppliers, for use in combination with engines in vehicles manufactured, used, sold, offered for sale and/or imported into the United States. 27. Hitachi, Ltd. and UNAI have been given appropriate notice of the '738 patent

under 35 U.S.C. § 287. 28. Hitachi, Ltd. and/or UNAI have infringed the '738 patent willfully, making this

an exceptional case and justifying the assessment of treble damages pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 284 and the award of attorney fees pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 285.

7

Case 1:05-cv-00048-SLR

Document 83

Filed 10/13/2005

Page 8 of 10

Prayer for Relief WHEREFORE, BorgWarner Inc. demands judgment against Hitachi, Ltd., and UNAI, and respectfully prays that the Court enter an order which: (a) awards to Counterclaimant BorgWarner Inc. damages incurred by reason of

Hitachi, Ltd.'s and/or UNAI's acts of infringement, including increased damages for willfulness of up to three times the amount; (b) awards to Counterclaimant BorgWarner Inc. its costs and expenses of this suit,

including reasonable attorney fees for bringing and prosecuting this action; (c) awards to Counterclaimant BorgWarner Inc. such pre-judgment and post-

judgment interest as is allowed by law; (d) permanently enjoins Counterdefendants Hitachi, Ltd. and UNAI from further acts

of infringement; and (e) awards to Counterclaimant BorgWarner Inc. such other and further relief that the

Court deems just and proper.

8

Case 1:05-cv-00048-SLR

Document 83

Filed 10/13/2005

Page 9 of 10

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Defendants and Counterclaimant, BorgWarner Inc. and BorgWarner Morse TEC Inc., hereby demand trial by jury of any and all issues triable of right by jury. Dated: October 13, 2005 /s/ Richard K. Herrmann Richard K. Herrmann (I.D. #405) Lewis H. Lazarus (I.D. #2374) Mary B. Matterer (I.D. #2696) Morris James Hitchens & Williams LLP 222 Delaware Avenue, 10th Floor Wilmington, DE 19801 (302) 888-6800 [email protected] Hugh A. Abrams (pro hac vice) Lisa A. Schneider (pro hac vice) Marc A. Cavan (pro hac vice) Lara V. Hirshfeld (pro hac vice) Sidley Austin Brown & Wood, LLP 10 South Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 (312) 853-7000 Attorneys for BorgWarner Inc., and BorgWarner Morse Tec Inc.

9

Case 1:05-cv-00048-SLR

Document 83

Filed 10/13/2005

Page 10 of 10

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that on the 13th day of October, 2005, I electronically filed the foregoing document, DEFENDANTS' FIRST AMENDED ANSWER TO PLAINTIFFS' SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT, COUNTERCLAIM AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL, with the Clerk of the Court using CM/ECF which will send notification of such filing to the following: Steven J. Balick, Esq. John G. Day, Esq. ASHBY & GEDDES 222 Delaware Avenue, 17th Floor Wilmington, DE 19801 Additionally, I hereby certify that on the 13th day of October, 2005, the foregoing document was served via email and overnight mail on the following non-registered participants: Michael D. Kaminski, Esq. Liane Peterson, Esq. FOLEY & LARDNER LLP 3000 K Street, N.W., Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20007-5109 [email protected] [email protected]

/s/ Richard K. Herrmann Richard K. Herrmann (#405) Mary B. Matterer (I.D. #2696) MORRIS, JAMES, HITCHENS & WILLIAMS LLP 222 Delaware Avenue, 10th Floor Wilmington, Delaware 19801 302.888.6800 [email protected] Attorneys for Defendants and Counterclaimant, BORGWARNER INC., and BORGWARNER MORSE TEC INC.

10