Case: 1:18-cv-00748-MRB Doc #: 1 Filed: 10/30/18 Page: 1 of 7 PAGEID #: 1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
WESTERN DIVISION

FECON, INC., Case No. 1:18-cv-748

Plaintiff, COMPLAINT

v. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

DENIS CIMAF, INC.,

Defendant.

Fecon, Inc. ("Fecon"), for its complaint against Defendant Denis Cimaf, Inc. ("Cimaf"),

states as follows:

SUMMARY AND NATURE OF THE ACTION

1. This is an action for patent infringement. Fecon owns a design patent for the

ornamental design of a mulcher tooth, and Defendant Cimaf sells mulcher teeth that are covered

by the design patent. Fecon files this lawsuit to put an end to Defendant Cimaf's infringement

and to recover damages resulting from Defendant Cimaf's misconduct.

PARTIES

2. Fecon is an Ohio corporation having an office and principal place of business at

3460 Grant Drive, Lebanon, Ohio 45036.

3. Defendant Cimaf is a Canadian corporation with its principle place of business in

Roxton Falls, Quebec, Canada.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

4. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 (federal

question) and 28 U.S.C. § 1338 (patent infringement).

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5. Because Defendant Cimaf is a Canadian corporation, venue in this judicial district

is proper at least under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(c)(3) and Brunette Machine Works, Ltd. v. Kockum

Industries, Inc., 406 U.S. 706, 711 (1972).

6. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant Cimaf under the Ohio long-

arm statute, Ohio Rev. Code § 2307.382, at least because (i) Defendant Cimaf, on information

and belief, regularly does and solicits business, engages in other persistent courses of conduct,

and derives substantial revenue from goods used or consumed or services rendered in Ohio; and,

as set forth more fully below, (ii) Fecon's claim arises out of Defendant Cimaf's (1) transacting

business in Ohio, (2) causing tortious injury by acts in Ohio, and (3) causing tortious injury in

Ohio.

PATENT-IN-SUIT

7. United States Patent No. D795,931 (the "D'931 patent") is titled "Land Clearing

Tool Interface" and issued on August 29, 2017. Attached as Exhibit 1 is a copy of the D'931

patent.

8. Fecon is the owner of the D'931 patent by assignment.

BACKGROUND FACTS

The Business of Fecon

9. Fecon is the industry leader in forestry mulching attachments.

10. For example, Fecon sells a line of hydraulic mulchers that attach to skid steers—

small, rigid-frame, engine-powered machines with lift arms, such as the skid steer manufactured

by John Deere depicted in the below image:

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11. Below are images of a Fecon mulcher attachment (left) and a John Deere skid

steer (right) with the Fecon mulcher attached:

12. Fecon also sells various cutting "teeth" that fasten to mulchers; specifically, these

teeth fasten to a mulcher rotor, such as the drum-style rotor depicted in the image below (teeth

shown in red):

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13. Fecon's D'931 patent claims the design of "a land clearing tool interface," i.e., a

V-back mulcher tooth interface. Below are exemplary Figures 2 and 3 from the D'931 patent:

Defendant Cimaf Sells Infringing Products

14. Defendant Cimaf is in the business of making, using, commercializing, and/or

importing cutting teeth ("Infringing Products") described in the D'931 patent.

15. For example, below are images of the Infringing Products from Cimaf's website

and from a Cimaf video on YouTube (annotations in original):

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http://www.deniscimaf.com/litt/en/EN_ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHPwEE
DAH-085B_web.pdf CC1Pg

16. On or about August 31, 2018, Fecon wrote Defendant Cimaf, enclosing a copy of

the D'931 patent and putting Defendant Cimaf on notice of the patent and of Defendant Cimaf's

infringement of the patent.

17. As explained in Fecon's correspondence to Defendant Cimaf, the design of the

Infringing Products' V-back and the design of the D'931 patent are virtually identical; indeed, it

is highly unlikely that Defendant Cimaf used the V-back design of the Infringing Products

without prior knowledge of the design set forth in the D'931 patent.

18. On information and belief, Defendant Cimaf is marketing, advertising, selling,

and offering for sale these teeth in Ohio, in this judicial district, throughout the United States,

and in other jurisdictions worldwide over the Internet.

FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF

(Patent Infringement)

19. Fecon repeats and incorporates by reference the allegations set forth in the

foregoing paragraphs.

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20. Defendant Cimaf, without authorization from Fecon, has distributed, advertised,

promoted, offered for sale, and sold mulcher teeth, the designs of which are substantially the

same as the design set forth in the D'931 patent.

21. Defendant Cimaf's infringing teeth include at least the Infringing Products, and

they appropriate the novel ornamental features set forth in the D'931 patent such that an ordinary

observer, giving such attention as a purchaser usually gives, would find Fecon's patented design

and Defendant Cimaf's designs to be substantially the same, and the resemblance is such as to

deceive such an observer, inducing him to purchase one supposing it be the other.

22. By the foregoing acts, Defendant Cimaf has infringed the D'931 patent.

23. Fecon owned the D'931 patent through the period of the infringing acts of

Defendant Cimaf, and Fecon still owns the D'931 patent.

24. Fecon has been and continues to be damaged and otherwise harmed by Defendant

Cimaf's infringement, and Fecon will be irreparably harmed unless Defendant Cimaf's infringing

activities are enjoined.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Fecon prays for judgment and relief against Defendant Cimaf, including:

A. Adjudging that Defendant Cimaf has infringed the D'931 patent;

B. Permanently enjoining Defendant Cimaf, its agents, suppliers, distributors,

servants, employees, successors, assigns, and all persons acting in concert or participation with

Defendant Cimaf from continuing acts of infringement of the D'931 patent;

C. Awarding Fecon compensatory damages, together with pre-judgment and post-

judgment interest; and

D. Such other and further relief as this Court may deem just and proper.

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JURY DEMAND

Plaintiff Fecon demands a trial by jury for all issues so triable.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/ John F. Bennett

John F. Bennett (0074506)
Trial Attorney
Paul M. Ulrich (0071520)
Ulmer & Berne LLP
600 Vine Street, Suite 2800
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-2409
Telephone: (513) 698-5000
Facsimile: (513) 698-5153
jbennett@ulmer.com
pulrich@ulmer.com

ATTORNEYS FOR FECON, INC.

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 Case: 1:18-cv-00748-MRB Doc #: 1-1 Filed: 10/30/18 Page: 1 of 6 PAGEID #: 8

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
WESTERN DIVISION

FECON, INC., Case No. 1:18-cv-748

Plaintiff, COMPLAINT EX. 1:

U.S. PATENT NO. D795,931
v.

DENIS CIMAF, INC.,

Defendant.
 Case: 1:18-cv-00748-MRB Doc #: 1-1 Filed: 10/30/18 Page: 2 of 6 PAGEID #: 9
USOOD795931S

(12) Stanley
Unitedet alStates Design Patent ( 10) Patent No.: US D795 ,931 S
. (45) Date of Patent: * * Aug. 29 , 2017
(54) LAND CLEARING TOOL INTERFACE 3 ,049 ,824 A
3 , 203 ,488 A
8/ 1962 McIninch
8 / 1965 Eastwood
(71) Applicant: Fecon , Inc., Lebanon , OH (US) 3 ,274 , 908 A 9 / 1966 Grant et al.
3 , 277 ,802 A 10 / 1966 Petersen
(72 ) Inventors: Jeffrey Stanley , Lebanon , OH (US); 3 , 358 ,569 A 12 / 1967 Averette
3 ,490 ,117 A 1/ 1970 Hertel
Robert Hentz , Hamilton , OH (US) 3 ,642 ,214 A 2 / 1972 Blackwell
3 ,774 ,324 A 11/1973 LaFond
(73) Assignee: Fecon Inc., Lebanon , OH (US) (Continued )
(* * ) Term : 15 Years FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
(21) Appl. No.: 29 /571, 065 FR
WO
28669099 /2005
2009105752 A2 8 /2009
(22) Filed : Jul. 14 , 2016
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Related U .S . Application Data International Search Report and Written Opinion received for
(60 ) Continuation of application No. 29/560 ,329, filed on International Application No . PCT/US2009/ 034872 , mailed Apr.
Apr. 5 , 2016 , which is a division of application No . 21, 2009, 8 pages.
29/ 466 , 991, filed on Sep . 13 , 2013 , now Pat. No . Des. ( Continued )
757 ,124, which is a continuation of application No .
12 /918,677 , filed as application No. Primary Examiner — Mark Goodwin
PCT/US2009/034872 on Feb . 23 , 2009 , now Pat. No. (74 ) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Ulmer & Berne LLP
8 ,540 ,033 .
(51) LOC (10 ) CI. ... .............. 15 -03 (57) CLAIM
(52 ) U . S . CI. The ornamental design of a land clearing tool interface, as
USPC ............ .... D15 / 28 shown and described .
(58 ) Field of Classification Search
USPC . ..... D15 /20 , 21 , 28, 29; 172/ 548 , 540 , 122, DESCRIPTION
172 /554 ; 241/294 , 242 , 300 , 189 , 194 ,
241/ 195 ; 37 / 454 , 453 , 456 , 452; FIG . 1 is a front, right, perspective view of a land clearing
404 / 121, 235 , 24. 12 , 34. 1, 4.1 ; 144/ 241 , tool interface ;
144 /235 , 24 .12 , 34. 1, 4 . 1; 83 /840; FIG . 2 is a rear, left perspective view thereof;
56 / 13 .6 FIG . 3 is a top view thereof;
CPC .......... E02F 9 /2833 ; E02F 9 /2841; E02F 9/28 FIG . 4 is a right side view thereof;
See application file for complete search history. FIG . 5 is a front view thereof;
FIG . 6 is a left side view thereof;
(56 ) References Cited FIG . 7 is a back view thereof; and ,
FIG . 8 is a bottom view thereof.
U .S . PATENT DOCUMENTS The broken line showing in the drawings is included for the
833 ,797 A 10 / 1906 Ollrich purpose of illustrating portions of the land clearing tool
1,905, 384 A 4 / 1933 Jass interface and forms no part of the claimed design .
2 , 131, 947 A 10 / 1938 Gilmore
2 ,242,808 A 5 / 1941 Austin 1 Claim , 3 Drawing Sheets

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COMPLAINT EXHIBIT 1
 Case: 1:18-cv-00748-MRB Doc #: 1-1 Filed: 10/30/18 Page: 3 of 6 PAGEID #: 10

US D795 , 931 S
Page 2

(56 ) References Cited 6, 682,262 B2

D486 ,503 S
1/ 2004 Caron et al.
2 /2004 East
U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS 6 , 708, 431 B2 3 /2004 Robinson et al .
6, 712,551 B2 3 /2004 Livesay et al.
3 , 837 ,408 A 9 / 1974 Green D488 ,174 S 4 /2004 East
3 ,850, 375 A 11/ 1974 Ford 6 , 725, 758 B2 4 /2004 MacLennan et al.
4 ,668 ,122 A 5 / 1987 Riddle 6 ,810 ,783 B1 11 /2004 Larose
4 ,682 ,916 A 7 / 1987 Briese 6 , 837,453 B2 1/2005 Sturm
4 ,727 ,664 A 3/ 1988 Hemphill 7 , 108, 452 B2 9 /2006 Caron et al.
4 ,782 ,774 A 11/ 1988 Clarke 7 , 150, 215 B2 12/2006 Krehel
4 , 813 ,491 A 3 / 1989 Gross 7 ,222,808 B2 5 / 2007 Edwards
4 ,826 ,090 A 5 / 1989 Orphall 7 ,281,676 B1 10 / 2007 Bennington
4 ,842,337 A 6 / 1989 Southern D567,832 S 4 / 2008 Edwards
4 , 918, 843A 4 / 1990 Kiesewetter et al. 7 ,448,567 B2 11 /2008 Roozeboom et al.
4 ,919 ,566 A 4 / 1990 Caron et al. 7 , 578,462 B2 8 /2009 Edwards
4 , 932,447 A 6 / 1990 Morin 7 ,584 ,921 B1 . 9 /2009 Bennington et al.
H946 H 8 / 1991 Lonn 7 , 634 , 897 B2 12 /2009 MacLennan et al.
5 ,077 ,918 A 1/ 1992 Garman 7 ,713, 006 B2 5 /2010 MacLennan et al.
5 ,211,212 A 5 / 1993 Carlson et al . 7 ,828, 026 B2 11 /2010 Maclennan et al.
5 ,423, 138 A 6 / 1995 Livesay et al. 7 ,913, 432 B2 3 /2011 MacLennan et al.
5 ,484 , 110 A 1 / 1996 Doppstadt 7 , 938, 350 B2 5 / 2011 Doppstadt et al.
5 ,503 ,339 A 4 / 1996 Doppstadt 8 ,540, 033 B2 9 /2013 Stanley et al.
5 ,644 , 965 A 7 / 1997 MacLennan et al. D757,124 S 5 /2016 Stanley et al.
5 ,873 ,534 A 2/ 1999 Shinn 2002 /0190148 Al 12 /2002 Roozeboom et al.
5 ,875 ,980 A 3 / 1999 Schmid 2004 /0016153 AL 1/2004 Pippins
6 , 024 , 143 A 2 /2000 Ritchey 2005 /0001084 AL 1 / 2005 Pizzuto
6 ,045, 072 A 4 / 2000 Zehr 2005 /0098331 Al 5 /2005 Edwards
D424 ,076 S 5 / 2000 Dibbern et al. 2006 / 0272183 Al 12 / 2006 Kergen
6 ,059, 373 A 5 / 2000 Wright et al . 2007/0193428 A18 / 2007 MacLennan et al .
D435 ,571 S 12/ 2000 Dibbern et al. 2008/0283257 AL 11/2008 Edwards
6,176,445 B1 1/2001 Shinn 2009 /0014189 Al 1/ 2009 Stanley et al.
6, 193,430 B1 2/ 2001 Culpepper et al. 2011/0100658 A1 5 / 2011 Stanley et al.
6 , 247, 757 B1 6 / 2001 Cochran 2012 / 0032013 Al 2/ 2012 Rice et al.
D446 , 224 S 8 /2001 Clendenning
D447, 154 S 8 / 2001 Clendenning OTHER PUBLICATIONS
6 ,422, 495 B17 / 2002 De Boef et al.
6, 435 ,434 B1 8/ 2002 Monyak International Preliminary Report on Patentability received for Inter
6 , 517, 274 B1 2 /2003 Watanabe et al. national Application No. PCT/US2009 /034872 , mailed Aug. 24 ,
6 , 536,322 B1 . 3/ 2003 Butler et al. 2010 , 7 pages .

COMPLAINT EXHIBIT 1
Case: 1:18-cv-00748-MRB Doc #: 1-1 Filed: 10/30/18 Page: 4 of 6 PAGEID #: 11

atent Aug. 29 , 2017 Sheet 1 of 3 US D795 ,931 S

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 Case: 1:18-cv-00748-MRB Doc #: 1-2 Filed: 10/30/18 Page: 1 of 1 PAGEID #: 14
JS 44 (Rev. 06/17) CIVIL COVER SHEET
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replace nor supplement the filing and service of pleadings or other papers as required by law, except as
provided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for the
purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM.)

I. (a) PLAINTIFFS DEFENDANTS

Fecon, Inc. Denis Cimaf, Inc.

(b) County of Residence of First Listed Plaintiff Warren County of Residence of First Listed Defendant
(EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) (IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE: IN LAND CONDEMNATION CASES, USE THE LOCATION OF
THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED.

(c) Attorneys (Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Number) Attorneys (If Known)
Ulmer & Berne LLP (513-698-5000)
600 Vine Street, Suite 2800
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-2409

II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an “X” in One Box Only) III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an “X” in One Box for Plaintiff
(For Diversity Cases Only) and One Box for Defendant)
u 1 U.S. Government u 3 Federal Question PTF DEF PTF DEF
Plaintiff (U.S. Government Not a Party) Citizen of This State u 1 u 1 Incorporated or Principal Place u 4 u 4
of Business In This State

u 2 U.S. Government u 4 Diversity Citizen of Another State u 2 u 2 Incorporated and Principal Place u 5 u 5
Defendant (Indicate Citizenship of Parties in Item III) of Business In Another State

Citizen or Subject of a u 3 u 3 Foreign Nation u 6 u 6

Foreign Country
IV. NATURE OF SUIT (Place an “X” in One Box Only) Click here for: Nature of Suit Code Descriptions.
CONTRACT TORTS FORFEITURE/PENALTY BANKRUPTCY OTHER STATUTES
u 110 Insurance PERSONAL INJURY PERSONAL INJURY u 625 Drug Related Seizure u 422 Appeal 28 USC 158 u 375 False Claims Act
u 120 Marine u 310 Airplane u 365 Personal Injury - of Property 21 USC 881 u 423 Withdrawal u 376 Qui Tam (31 USC
u 130 Miller Act u 315 Airplane Product Product Liability u 690 Other 28 USC 157 3729(a))
u 140 Negotiable Instrument Liability u 367 Health Care/ u 400 State Reapportionment
u 150 Recovery of Overpayment u 320 Assault, Libel & Pharmaceutical PROPERTY RIGHTS u 410 Antitrust
& Enforcement of Judgment Slander Personal Injury u 820 Copyrights u 430 Banks and Banking
u 151 Medicare Act u 330 Federal Employers’ Product Liability u 830 Patent u 450 Commerce
u 152 Recovery of Defaulted Liability u 368 Asbestos Personal u 835 Patent - Abbreviated u 460 Deportation
Student Loans u 340 Marine Injury Product New Drug Application u 470 Racketeer Influenced and
(Excludes Veterans) u 345 Marine Product Liability u 840 Trademark Corrupt Organizations
u 153 Recovery of Overpayment Liability PERSONAL PROPERTY LABOR SOCIAL SECURITY u 480 Consumer Credit
of Veteran’s Benefits u 350 Motor Vehicle u 370 Other Fraud u 710 Fair Labor Standards u 861 HIA (1395ff) u 490 Cable/Sat TV
u 160 Stockholders’ Suits u 355 Motor Vehicle u 371 Truth in Lending Act u 862 Black Lung (923) u 850 Securities/Commodities/
u 190 Other Contract Product Liability u 380 Other Personal u 720 Labor/Management u 863 DIWC/DIWW (405(g)) Exchange
u 195 Contract Product Liability u 360 Other Personal Property Damage Relations u 864 SSID Title XVI u 890 Other Statutory Actions
u 196 Franchise Injury u 385 Property Damage u 740 Railway Labor Act u 865 RSI (405(g)) u 891 Agricultural Acts
u 362 Personal Injury - Product Liability u 751 Family and Medical u 893 Environmental Matters
Medical Malpractice Leave Act u 895 Freedom of Information
REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRISONER PETITIONS u 790 Other Labor Litigation FEDERAL TAX SUITS Act
u 210 Land Condemnation u 440 Other Civil Rights Habeas Corpus: u 791 Employee Retirement u 870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff u 896 Arbitration
u 220 Foreclosure u 441 Voting u 463 Alien Detainee Income Security Act or Defendant) u 899 Administrative Procedure
u 230 Rent Lease & Ejectment u 442 Employment u 510 Motions to Vacate u 871 IRS—Third Party Act/Review or Appeal of
u 240 Torts to Land u 443 Housing/ Sentence 26 USC 7609 Agency Decision
u 245 Tort Product Liability Accommodations u 530 General u 950 Constitutionality of
u 290 All Other Real Property u 445 Amer. w/Disabilities - u 535 Death Penalty IMMIGRATION State Statutes
Employment Other: u 462 Naturalization Application
u 446 Amer. w/Disabilities - u 540 Mandamus & Other u 465 Other Immigration
Other u 550 Civil Rights Actions
u 448 Education u 555 Prison Condition
u 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of
Confinement
V. ORIGIN (Place an “X” in One Box Only)
u 1 Original u 2 Removed from u 3 Remanded from u 4 Reinstated or u 5 Transferred from u 6 Multidistrict u 8 Multidistrict
Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation - Litigation -
(specify) Transfer Direct File
Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity):
35 U.S.C. § 271 et seq.
VI. CAUSE OF ACTION Brief description of cause:
Patent Infringement
VII. REQUESTED IN u CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint:
COMPLAINT: UNDER RULE 23, F.R.Cv.P. 75,001.00 JURY DEMAND: u Yes u No
VIII. RELATED CASE(S)
(See instructions):
IF ANY JUDGE Timothy S. Black DOCKET NUMBER 1:17-cv-820
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
10/30/2018 /s/ John F. Bennett
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

RECEIPT # AMOUNT APPLYING IFP JUDGE MAG. JUDGE