TiVo Inc. v. Cisco Systems, Inc.
Filing: 1
COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT against Cisco Systems, Inc. ( Filing fee $ 350 receipt number 0540-3618781.), filed by TiVo Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Civil Cover Sheet)(Baxter, Samuel)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
MARSHALL DIVISION
TiVo Inc.,
Plaintiff,
vs.
Case No. 2:11-cv-311
Cisco Systems, Inc.
DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
Defendant.
COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT AND JURY DEMAND
Plaintiff TiVo Inc. (âTiVoâ) files this Complaint against Cisco Systems, Inc. (âCiscoâ).
TiVo alleges as follows:
PARTIES
1.
TiVo is a Delaware corporation with a principal place of business at 2160 Gold
Street, Alviso, California 95002-2160.
2.
Upon information and belief, Defendant Cisco Systems, Inc. is a California
corporation with a principal place of business at 170 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, California
95134-1706. Cisco develops, manufactures, and supplies equipment, including set-top boxes
with digital video recording (DVR) functionality to television service providers including but not
limited to Verizon Communications Inc., Time Warner Cable Inc., and subsidiaries or affiliates
of these companies.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
3.
This is an action for patent infringement arising under the patent laws of the
United States of America, 35 U.S.C. section 1, et seq., including 35 U.S.C. section 271. This
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Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. sections 1331 and 1338(a) in that this
is a civil action arising out of the patent laws of the United States of America.
4.
Upon information and belief, this Court has personal jurisdiction over Cisco
because Cisco regularly conducts business in the state of Texas and therefore has substantial and
continuous contacts within this judicial district; and because Cisco purposefully avails itself of
the privileges of conducting business in this judicial district; or because Cisco has committed
acts giving rise to TiVoâs claims within this judicial district.
5.
Venue in the Eastern District of Texas is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. sections
1391(b)-(c) and 1400(b) at least because, on information and belief, Cisco resides or may be
found in this district, and because Cisco has committed acts of infringement and has a regular
and established place of business in this district.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
6.
TiVo was founded in 1997 and is a pioneer in the field of digital video recording.
7.
TiVo employees, including TiVo co-founder James Barton, patented a number of
inventions that relate to digital video recording devices, digital video recording device software,
or personal television services.
8.
TiVo is the assignee of a number of patents related to digital video recording
devices and methods, digital video recording device software, or personal television services.
TiVo owns all rights, titles, and interests in and to the following United States patents
(collectively, the âTiVo Patentsâ), including exclusive rights to bring suit with respect to any
past, present, and future infringement thereof:
(a)
U.S. Patent No. 6,233,389, entitled âMultimedia Time Warping System,â which
issued May 15, 2001 (â389 Patent) (Exhibit A);
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(b)
U.S. Patent No. 7,529,465, entitled âSystem for Time Shifting Multimedia
Content Streams,â which issued on May 5, 2009 (â465 Patent) (Exhibit B);
(c)
U.S. Patent No. 7,493,015, entitled âAutomatic Playback Overshoot Correction
System,â which issued on February 17, 2009 (â015 Patent) (Exhibit C); and
(d)
U.S. Patent No. 6,792,195, entitled âMethod and Apparatus Implementing
Random Access and Time-Based Functions on a Continuous Stream of Formatted
Digital Data,â which issued on September 14, 2004 (â195 Patent) (Exhibit D).
9.
In addition to patenting technologies related to digital video recording devices and
methods, digital video recording device software and personal television services, TiVo
competes in these markets. TiVo is a leading provider of technology and services for digital
video recorders. As of January 31, 2012, there were approximately 2.3 million active TiVo
users.
10.
On information and belief, Cisco develops, manufactures, and supplies
equipment, including set-top boxes with DVR functionality to television service providers
including but not limited to Verizon Communications Inc., Time Warner Cable Inc., and
subsidiaries and affiliates of these companies.
11.
For example, Cisco provides set-top boxes with DVR functionality to Time
Warner Cable. Upon information and belief, Time Warner Cable deployed Ciscoâs set-top
boxes, including the Explorer series, such as the Explorer 8300/8300HD DVR.
12.
For example, Cisco provides set-top boxes with DVR functionality to Verizon.
Upon information and belief, Verizon began deploying Ciscoâs set-top boxes, including those
bearing model number CHS 435HDC, in or around October 2010.
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13.
Cisco is aware of and has had knowledge of the TiVo Patents. For example,
Cisco has had knowledge of at least the â389, â465, and â015 Patents since at least as of June 30,
2010, when TiVo subpoenaed Cisco in TiVo Inc. v. AT&T Inc., et al., Case No. 2:09-cv-259-DF
(E.D. Tex.), in which TiVo had asserted the â389, â465, and â015 Patents against AT&T.
Further, TiVo subpoenaed Cisco on August 8, 2010 in TiVo Inc. v. Verizon Commcâns Inc., Case
No. 2:09-cv-257-DF (E.D. Tex.), in which TiVo asserted the â389, â465, and â015 Patents against
Verizon. TiVo also asserted the â389 Patent against EchoStar Communications Corp., et al., in
TiVo Inc. v. Echostar Communications Corp., et al., Case No. 2:04-CV-1-DF (E.D. Tex.), a
lawsuit which involved a trial in the Eastern District of Texas as well as publicly reported
proceedings in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. On information and
belief, Cisco had knowledge of the EchoStar lawsuit and TiVoâs patent claims of infringement
asserted against EchoStar.
COUNT ONE â INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 6,233,389
14.
TiVo incorporates by reference Paragraphs 1â13, inclusive, set forth as if fully set
forth herein.
15.
TiVo is the owner of the entire right, title and interest in and to the â389 Patent.
16.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco has infringed and is currently
infringing the â389 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271, by, among other things, making,
using, offering for sale, selling, and/or importing within this judicial district and elsewhere in the
United States, without license or authority, set-top boxes with DVR functionality and related
products and/or processes falling within the scope of one or more claims of the â389 Patent,
including without limitation Ciscoâs set-top boxes with DVR functionality bearing, for example,
the âCHSâ and âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS 435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300 HD DVR),
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other DVRs with the same or similar functionality with respect to the â389 Patent, and related
products, among others.
17.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco, induced and is actively inducing the
infringement of the â389 Patent, with knowledge of the â389 Patent and knowledge that it was
inducing the infringement of the â389 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(b), by, among other
things, actively and knowingly aiding and abetting, assisting and encouraging others, including
without limitation Verizon, Time Warner and other customers and end users of Cisco products,
to directly infringe the â389 Patent with respect to the making, using, offering for sale, selling,
and/or importing within this judicial district and elsewhere in the United States, without license
or authority, of the Cisco set-top boxes with DVR functionality and related products and/or
processes falling within the scope of one or more claims of the â389 Patent, including without
limitation Ciscoâs set-top boxes with DVR functionality bearing, for example, the âCHSâ and
âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS 435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300 HD DVR), other DVRs
with the same or similar functionality with respect to the â389 Patent, and related products,
among others.
18.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco has contributorily infringed and is
currently contributorily infringing the â389 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(c), by, among
other things, selling, offering for sale, and/or importing within this judicial district and elsewhere
in the United States, without license or authority, set-top boxes with DVR functionality and
related products or components of products which constitute a material part of the â389 Patent,
including without limitation Ciscoâs set-top boxes with DVR functionality bearing, for example,
the âCHSâ and âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS 435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300 HD DVR),
other DVRs with the same or similar functionality with respect to the â389 Patent, and related
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products, among others, with knowledge of the â389 Patent and knowing that such products
and/or components are especially made or especially adapted for use in the infringement of the
â389 Patent, and not staple articles or commodities of commerce suitable for substantial
noninfringing use.
19.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco has infringed and is currently
infringing the â389 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(f), by, among other things, supplying
or causing to be supplied in or from the United States, without license or authority, products or
components of products that are combined and/or used outside the United States in a manner that
falls within the scope of one or more claims of the â389 Patent including without limitation
Ciscoâs set-top boxes with DVR functionality including at least set-top boxes bearing, for
example, the âCHSâ and âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS 435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300
HD DVR), other DVRs with the same or similar functionality with respect to the â389 Patent,
and related products, among others.
20.
On information and belief, Defendant Ciscoâs infringement of the â389 Patent has
been and continues to be willful and deliberate. Cisco, with knowledge of the â389 Patent,
engaged in objectively reckless conduct when it continued selling the infringing products in the
face of an objectively high risk that it was infringing TiVoâs valid United States â389 Patent.
21.
As a consequence of Defendant Ciscoâs infringement, TiVo is entitled to recover
damages adequate to compensate it for the infringement complained of herein, but in no event
less than a reasonable royalty.
22.
Unless enjoined, Defendant Cisco will continue to infringe the â389 Patent, and
TiVo will suffer irreparable injury as a direct and proximate result of Ciscoâs conduct.
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23.
TiVo has been damaged by Defendant Ciscoâs conduct, and until an injunction
issues, will continue to be damaged in an amount yet to be determined.
COUNT TWO â INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 7,529,465
24.
TiVo incorporates by reference Paragraphs 1â13, inclusive, set forth as if fully set
forth herein.
25.
TiVo is the owner of the entire right, title and interest in and to the â465 Patent.
26.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco has infringed and is currently
infringing the â465 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271, by, among other things, making,
using, offering for sale, selling, and/or importing within this judicial district and elsewhere in the
United States, without license or authority, set-top boxes with DVR functionality and related
products and/or processes falling within the scope of one or more claims of the â465 Patent,
including without limitation Ciscoâs set-top boxes with DVR functionality bearing, for example,
the âCHSâ and âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS 435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300 HD DVR),
other DVRs with the same or similar functionality with respect to the â465 Patent, and related
products, among others.
27.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco, induced and is actively inducing the
infringement of the â465 Patent, with knowledge of the â465 Patent and knowledge that it was
inducing the infringement of the â465 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(b), by, among other
things, actively and knowingly aiding and abetting, assisting and encouraging others, including
without limitation Verizon, Time Warner and other customers and end users of Cisco products,
to directly infringe the â465 Patent with respect to the making, using, offering for sale, selling,
and/or importing within this judicial district and elsewhere in the United States, without license
or authority, of the Cisco set-top boxes with DVR functionality and related products and/or
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processes falling within the scope of one or more claims of the â465 Patent, including without
limitation Ciscoâs set-top boxes with DVR functionality bearing, for example, the âCHSâ and
âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS 435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300 HD DVR), other DVRs
with the same or similar functionality with respect to the â465 Patent, and related products,
among others.
28.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco has contributorily infringed and is
currently contributorily infringing the â465 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(c), by, among
other things, selling, offering for sale, and/or importing within this judicial district and elsewhere
in the United States, without license or authority, set-top boxes with DVR functionality and
related products or components of products which constitute a material part of the â465 Patent,
including without limitation Ciscoâs set-top boxes with DVR functionality bearing, for example,
the âCHSâ and âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS 435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300 HD DVR),
other DVRs with the same or similar functionality with respect to the â465 Patent, and related
products, among others, with knowledge of the â465 Patent and knowing that such products
and/or components are especially made or especially adapted for use in the infringement of the
â465 Patent, and not staple articles or commodities of commerce suitable for substantial
noninfringing use.
29.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco has infringed and is currently
infringing the â465 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(f), by, among other things, supplying
or causing to be supplied in or from the United States, without license or authority, products or
components of products that are combined and/or used outside the United States in a manner that
falls within the scope of one or more claims of the â465 Patent including without limitation
Ciscoâs set-top boxes with DVR functionality including at least set-top boxes bearing, for
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example, the âCHSâ and âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS 435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300
HD DVR), other DVRs with the same or similar functionality with respect to the â465 Patent,
and related products, among others.
30.
On information and belief, Defendant Ciscoâs infringement of the â465 Patent has
been and continues to be willful and deliberate. Cisco, with knowledge of the â465 Patent,
engaged in objectively reckless conduct when it continued selling the infringing products in the
face of an objectively high risk that it was infringing TiVoâs valid United States â465 Patent.
31.
As a consequence of Defendant Ciscoâs infringement, TiVo is entitled to recover
damages adequate to compensate it for the infringement complained of herein, but in no event
less than a reasonable royalty.
32.
Unless enjoined, Defendant Cisco will continue to infringe the â465 Patent, and
TiVo will suffer irreparable injury as a direct and proximate result of Ciscoâs conduct.
33.
TiVo has been damaged by Defendant Ciscoâs conduct, and until an injunction
issues, will continue to be damaged in an amount yet to be determined.
COUNT THREE â INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 7,493,015
34.
TiVo incorporates by reference Paragraphs 1â13, inclusive, set forth as if fully set
forth herein.
35.
TiVo is the owner of the entire right, title and interest in and to the â015 Patent.
36.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco has infringed and is currently
infringing the â015 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271, by, among other things, making,
using, offering for sale, selling, and/or importing within this judicial district and elsewhere in the
United States, without license or authority, set-top boxes with DVR functionality and related
products and/or processes falling within the scope of one or more claims of the â465 Patent,
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including without limitation Ciscoâs set-top boxes with DVR functionality bearing, for example,
the âCHSâ and âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS 435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300 HD DVR),
other DVRs with the same or similar functionality with respect to the â015 Patent, and related
products, among others.
37.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco, induced and is actively inducing the
infringement of the â015 Patent, with knowledge of the â015 Patent and knowledge that it was
inducing the infringement of the â015 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(b), by, among other
things, actively and knowingly aiding and abetting, assisting and encouraging others, including
without limitation Verizon, Time Warner and other customers and end users of Cisco products,
to directly infringe the â015 Patent with respect to the making, using, offering for sale, selling,
and/or importing within this judicial district and elsewhere in the United States, without license
or authority, of the Cisco set-top boxes with DVR functionality and related products and/or
processes falling within the scope of one or more claims of the â015 Patent, including without
limitation Ciscoâs set-top boxes with DVR functionality bearing, for example, the âCHSâ and
âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS 435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300 HD DVR), other DVRs
with the same or similar functionality with respect to the â015 Patent, and related products,
among others.
38.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco has contributorily infringed and is
currently contributorily infringing the â015 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(c), by, among
other things, selling, offering for sale, and/or importing within this judicial district and elsewhere
in the United States, without license or authority, set-top boxes with DVR functionality and
related products or components of products which constitute a material part of the â015 Patent,
including without limitation Ciscoâs set-top boxes with DVR functionality bearing, for example,
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the âCHSâ and âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS 435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300 HD DVR),
other DVRs with the same or similar functionality with respect to the â015 Patent, and related
products, among others, with knowledge of the â015 Patent and knowing that such products
and/or components are especially made or especially adapted for use in the infringement of the
â015 Patent, and not staple articles or commodities of commerce suitable for substantial
noninfringing use.
39.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco has infringed and is currently
infringing the â015 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(f), by, among other things, supplying
or causing to be supplied in or from the United States, without license or authority, products or
components of products that are combined and/or used outside the United States in a manner that
falls within the scope of one or more claims of the â015 Patent including without limitation
Ciscoâs set-top boxes with DVR functionality including at least set-top boxes bearing, for
example, the âCHSâ and âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS 435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300
HD DVR), other DVRs with the same or similar functionality with respect to the â015 Patent,
and related products, among others.
40.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco âs infringement of the â015 Patent has
been and continues to be willful and deliberate. Cisco, with knowledge of the â015 Patent,
engaged in objectively reckless conduct when it continued selling the infringing products in the
face of an objectively high risk that it was infringing TiVoâs valid United States â015 Patent.
41.
As a consequence of Defendant Ciscoâs infringement, TiVo is entitled to recover
damages adequate to compensate it for the infringement complained of herein, but in no event
less than a reasonable royalty.
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42.
Unless enjoined, Defendant Cisco will continue to infringe the â015 Patent, and
TiVo will suffer irreparable injury as a direct and proximate result of Ciscoâs conduct.
43.
TiVo has been damaged by Defendant Ciscoâs conduct, and until an injunction
issues, will continue to be damaged in an amount yet to be determined.
COUNT FOUR â INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 6,792,195
44.
TiVo incorporates by reference Paragraphs 1â13, inclusive, set forth as if fully set
forth herein.
45.
TiVo is the owner of the entire right, title and interest in and to the â195 Patent.
46.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco has infringed and is currently
infringing the â195 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271, by, among other things, making,
using, offering for sale, selling, and/or importing within this judicial district and elsewhere in the
United States, without license or authority, set-top boxes with DVR functionality and related
products and/or processes falling within the scope of one or more claims of the â195 Patent,
including without limitation Ciscoâs set-top boxes with DVR functionality bearing, for example,
the âCHSâ and âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS 435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300 HD DVR),
other DVRs with the same or similar functionality with respect to the â195 Patent, and related
products, among others.
47.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco, induced and is actively inducing the
infringement of the â195 Patent, with knowledge of the â195 Patent and knowledge that it was
inducing the infringement of the â195 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(b), by, among other
things, actively and knowingly aiding and abetting, assisting and encouraging others, including
without limitation Verizon, Time Warner and other customers and end users of Cisco products,
to directly infringe the â195 Patent with respect to the making, using, offering for sale, selling,
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and/or importing within this judicial district and elsewhere in the United States, without license
or authority, of the Cisco set-top boxes with DVR functionality and related products and/or
processes falling within the scope of one or more claims of the â195 Patent, including without
limitation Ciscoâs set-top boxes with DVR functionality bearing, for example, the âCHSâ and
âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS 435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300 HD DVR), other DVRs
with the same or similar functionality with respect to the â195 Patent, and related products,
among others.
48.
On information and belief, Defendant Cisco has contributorily infringed and is
currently contributorily infringing the â195 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(c), by, among
other things, selling, offering for sale, and/or importing within this judicial district and elsewhere
in the United States, without license or authority, products or components of products which
constitute a material part of the â195 Patent, including without limitation Ciscoâs set-top boxes
with DVR functionality bearing, for example, the âCHSâ and âExplorerâ designation (e.g., CHS
435HDC and Explorer 8300/8300 HD DVR), other DVRs with the same or similar functionality
with respect to the â195 Patent, and related products, among others, with knowledge of the â195
Patent and knowing that such products and/or components are especially made or especially
adapted for use in the infringement of the â195 Patent, and not staple articles or commodities of
commerce suitable for substantial noninfringing use.
49.
On information and belief, Defendant Ciscoâs infringement of the â195 Patent has
been and continues to be willful and deliberate. Cisco, with knowledge of the â195 Patent,
engaged in objectively reckless conduct when it continued selling the infringing products in the
face of an objectively high risk that it was infringing TiVoâs valid United States â195 Patent.
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50.
As a consequence of Defendant Ciscoâs infringement, TiVo is entitled to recover
damages adequate to compensate it for the infringement complained of herein, but in no event
less than a reasonable royalty.
51.
Unless enjoined, Defendant Cisco will continue to infringe the â195 Patent, and
TiVo will suffer irreparable injury as a direct and proximate result of Ciscoâs conduct.
52.
TiVo has been damaged by Defendant Ciscoâs conduct, and until an injunction
issues, will continue to be damaged in an amount yet to be determined.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, TiVo respectfully requests that the Court enter judgment as follows:
A.
That Cisco has directly infringed the â389, â465, â015, and â195 Patents.
B.
That Cisco has induced the infringement of the â389, â465, â015, and â195 Patents.
C.
That Cisco has contributorily infringed the â389, â465, â015, and â195 Patents.
D.
That Cisco and any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees,
agents, representatives, licensees, successors, assigns, and all those acting for any of them and/or
on any of their behalf, or acting in concert with any of them directly or indirectly, be enjoined
from infringing, inducing others to infringe or contributing to the infringement of the â389, â465,
â015, and â195 Patents;
E.
That Cisco and any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees,
agents, representatives, licensees, successors, assigns, and all those acting for any of them and/or
on any of their behalf, or acting in concert with any of them directly or indirectly, deliver to
TiVo all products that infringe the â389, â465, â015, and â195 for destruction at TiVoâs option;
F.
That Cisco be ordered to pay compensatory damages to TiVo, together with pre-
judgment interest and post-judgment interest as allowed by law;
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G.
That Cisco be ordered to provide an accounting;
H.
That Cisco be ordered to pay supplemental damages to TiVo, including without
limitation interest;
I.
That the infringement by Cisco be adjudged willful and that the damages be
increased under 35 U.S.C. § 284 to three times the amount found or measured;
J.
That the Court enter judgment against Cisco and in favor of TiVo in all respects;
K.
That the Court determine this is an exceptional case under 35 U.S.C. § 285 and an
award of attorneysâ fees and costs to TiVo is warranted in this action; and
L.
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For any such other and further relief as the Court deems just and equitable.
15
DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
Plaintiff TiVo hereby demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable of right by a jury
raised in this Complaint.
Respectfully submitted,
McKOOL SMITH, P.C.
Date: June 4, 2012
/s/ Samuel F. Baxter
Samuel F. Baxter
Lead Attorney
Texas State Bar No. 01938000
sbaxter@mckoolsmith.com
104 E. Houston St., Suite 300
Marshall, Texas 75670
Telephone: (903) 923-9000
Facsimile: (903) 923-9099
Co-Counsel:
IRELL & MANELLA LLP
Morgan Chu
mchu@irell.com
Andrei Iancu
aiancu@irell.com
Richard M. Birnholz
rbirnholz@irell.com
1800 Avenue of the Stars
Suite 900
Los Angeles, CA 90067-4276
Tel: (310) 277-1010
Fax: (310) 203-7199
Garret Chambers
Texas State Bar No. 00792160
gchambers@mckoolsmith.com
McKool Smith, P.C.
300 Crescent Court, Suite 1500
Dallas, Texas 75201
Telephone: (214) 978-4000
Facsimile: (214) 978-4044
Attorneys for Plaintiff TiVo Inc.
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