Worlds, Inc. v. Activision Blizzard, Inc. et al

Filing 1

COMPLAINT for Patent Infringement against All Defendants Filing fee: $ 350, receipt number 0101-3880010 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by Worlds, Inc.. (Attachments: #1 Civil Cover Sheet, #2 Category Form)(Leeman, Joel)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
WORLDS, INC.,
Plaintiff,
v.
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC., BLIZZARD
ENTERTAINMENT, INC., and ACTIVISION
PUBLISHING, INC.,

Defendants.

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§ Civil Action No.
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§ JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
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COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT
Plaintiff, Worlds, Inc. (“Worlds”), alleges the following:
1.

This is an action for patent infringement arising under the patent laws of the

United States, Title 35 of the United States Code.
2.

Plaintiff, Worlds, Inc., is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of

the State of Delaware, having a principal place of business at 11 Royal Road, Brookline,
Massachusetts.
3.

Defendant Activision Blizzard, Inc. is a corporation organized and existing under

the laws of Delaware with its principal place of business at 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa
Monica, CA.
4.

Defendant Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is a corporation organized and existing

under the laws of Delaware with its principal place of business at 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard,
Santa Monica, CA.
5.

Defendant Activision Publishing, Inc. is a corporation organized and existing

under the laws of Delaware with its principal place of business at 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard,

Santa Monica, CA.
6.

On information and belief, Blizzard Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary

of Activision Blizzard and transacts substantial business, either directly or through their agents,
on an ongoing basis in this judicial district and elsewhere in the United States.
7.

On information and belief, Blizzard Entertainment has offered and sold, and

continues to offer and sell, in this judicial district and elsewhere in the United States, its World of
Warcraft massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG).
8.

On information and belief, Activision Blizzard is actively involved in the

management and control of Blizzard Entertainment with regard to the latter’s offer for sale and
sale of the World of Warcraft MMORPG.
9.

On information and belief, Activision Blizzard holds itself out as being, through

Blizzard Entertainment, the leading publisher of MMORPGs that compete in the subscriptionbased MMORPG space.
10.

On information and belief, Activision Blizzard represents Blizzard Entertainment

to be one of its operating segments, derives a substantial portion of its revenues from World of
Warcraft subscriptions, owns World of Warcraft, and owns or controls data servers that host the
World of Warcraft MMORPG.
11.

On information and belief, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a wholly owned

subsidiary of Activision Blizzard and transacts substantial business, either directly or through
their agents, on an ongoing basis in this judicial district and elsewhere in the United States.
12.

On information and belief, Activision Publishing has offered and sold, and

continues to offer and sell, in this judicial district and elsewhere in the United States, its Call of
Duty video game (with multiplayer mode).
13.

On information and belief, Activision Blizzard is actively involved in the
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management and control of Activision Publishing with regard to the latter’s offer for sale and
sale of the Call of Duty video game.
14.

On information and belief, Activision Blizzard holds itself out as the owner of

Call of Duty video game franchise and its intellectual property.
15.

On information and belief, Activision Blizzard represents Activision Publishing to

be one of its operating segments and that the Call of Duty franchise has generated $4.2 billion in
revenues to date.
16.

Activision Blizzard, Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Publishing are

collectively referred to herein as “Activision.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the acts
complained of herein were committed by, on behalf of, and/or for the benefit of Activision.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE
17.

This Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and

1338(a).
18.

This Court has personal jurisdiction over Activision because Activision has

committed acts of infringement in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271 and has offered and provided to
customers in Massachusetts subscription to and use of Activision’s World of Warcraft and Call
of Duty video games. Additionally, Activision regularly does business or solicits business,
engages in other persistent courses of conduct, and/or derives substantial revenue from products
and/or services provided to individuals in this district and has purposefully established
substantial, systematic, and continuous contacts with this district and expects, or should
reasonably expect, to be haled into court here.

Moreover, Activision Blizzard exercises

sufficient control over Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Publishing as to render the latter
two instrumentalities of the former. Thus, this Court’s exercise of jurisdiction over Activision
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will not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.
19.

These acts cause injury to Worlds within the district. On information and belief,

Activision’s products continue to be offered in channels of commerce with the intent that
customers located in this district make use of Activision’s World of Warcraft and Call of Duty
Video games within this district.
20.

On information and belief, Activision will derive substantial revenue from the use

of Activision’s World of Warcraft and Call of Duty video games within this district, and/or
expects or should reasonably expect its actions to have consequences within the district, and
derives substantial revenue from interstate and international commerce.
21.

Activision has knowingly induced, and continues to knowingly induce,

infringement within this district by offering to employ Activision’s World of Warcraft and Call
of Duty video games with the knowledge and intent of facilitating infringing transactions within
this district and by creating and/or disseminating user guides and other instructional and
promotional materials for Activision’s World of Warcraft and Call of Duty video games with like
mind and intent.
22.

Venue is proper in this district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391 and 1400(b).

COUNT 1 - INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 8,082,501
23.

On December 20, 2011 United States Patent No. 8,082,501 (“the ‘501 patent”)

was duly and legally issued for an invention entitled “System and Method for Enabling Users to
Interact in a Virtual Space.” The ‘501 patent has been assigned by the inventors to Worlds, and
Worlds is the sole and exclusive owner of the ‘501 patent and holds all rights and interests in the
‘501 patent. Among other things, Worlds holds the sole and exclusive rights to manufacture,

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use, sell, import and offer to sell under the ‘501 patent and the right to enforce the ‘501 patent
against alleged infringers.
24.

Worlds has complied with any applicable statutory notice requirements by posting

notice of the ‘501 patent on its website and downloadable software.
25.

Activision has infringed and continues to infringe one or more claims of the ‘501

patent by its manufacture, use, sale, importation, licensing and/or offer for sale of its Worlds of
Warcraft MMORPG, which embodies one or more claims of the ‘501 patent. Activision also has
infringed and continues to infringe one or more claims of the ‘501 patent by contributing to and
actively inducing others to use, sell, import, and/or offer for sale its Worlds of Warcraft
MMORPG. Activision is liable for its infringement of the ‘501 patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §
271.
26.

Activision’s acts of infringement have caused damage to Worlds, and Worlds is

entitled to recover from Activision the damages it has sustained as a result of Activision’s
wrongful acts in an amount subject to proof at trial.

Worlds has owned the ‘501 patent

throughout the period of Activision’s infringing acts. Activision’s infringement of Worlds’
exclusive rights under the ‘501 patent will continue to damage Worlds, causing irreparable harm
for which there is no adequate remedy at law, unless enjoined by this Court.
27.

Upon information and belief, Activision’s infringement of the ‘501 patent is

willful and deliberate, entitling Worlds to increased damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284 and to
attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in prosecuting this action under 35 U.S.C. § 285.
28.

Activision has been on constructive notice of the ‘501 patent since at least as early

as December 20, 2011 when the ‘501 patent was issued. Moreover, upon information and belief,
Activision has been aware of Worlds’ patent portfolio through its knowledge of Worlds’
infringement litigation against NCSoft Corporation, Civil Action No. 6:08-cv-508 in the Eastern
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District of Texas. Nevertheless, Activision has infringed and continues to infringe the ‘501
patent.

COUNT 2 - INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 7,945,856
29.

On May 17, 2011 United States Patent No. 7,945,856 (“the ‘856 patent”) was

duly and legally issued for an invention entitled “System and Method for Enabling Users to
Interact in a Virtual Space.” The ‘856 patent has been assigned by the inventors to Worlds, and
Worlds is the sole and exclusive owner of the ‘856 patent and holds all rights and interests in the
‘856 patent. Among other things, Worlds holds the sole and exclusive rights to manufacture,
use, sell, import and offer to sell under the ‘856 patent and the right to enforce the ‘856 patent
against alleged infringers.
30.

Worlds has complied with any applicable statutory notice requirement by posting

notice of the ‘856 patent on its website and downloadable software.
31.

Activision has infringed and continues to infringe one or more claims of the ‘856

patent by its manufacture, use, sale, importation, licensing and/or offer for sale of its Worlds of
Warcraft and Call of Duty video games, which each embody one or more claims of the ‘856
patent. Activision also has infringed and continues to infringe one or more claims of the ‘856
patent by contributing to and actively inducing others to use, sell, import, and/or offer for sale its
Worlds of Warcraft and Call of Duty video games. Activision is liable for its infringement of the
‘856 patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271.
32.

Activision’s acts of infringement have caused damage to Worlds, and Worlds is

entitled to recover from Activision the damages it has sustained as a result of Activision’s
wrongful acts in an amount subject to proof at trial.

Worlds has owned the ‘856 patent

throughout the period of Activision’s infringing acts. Activision’s infringement of Worlds’
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exclusive rights under the ‘856 patent will continue to damage Worlds, causing irreparable harm
for which there is no adequate remedy at law, unless enjoined by this Court.
33.

Upon information and belief, Activision’s infringement of the ‘856 patent is

willful and deliberate, entitling Worlds to increased damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284 and to
attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in prosecuting this action under 35 U.S.C. § 285.
34.

Activision has been on constructive notice of the ‘856 patent by at least as early

as May 17, 2011 when the ‘856 patent was issued. Moreover, upon information and belief,
Activision has been aware of Worlds’ patent portfolio through its knowledge of Worlds’
infringement litigation against NCSoft Corporation, Civil Action No. 6:08-cv-508 in the Eastern
District of Texas. Nevertheless, Activision has infringed and continues to infringe the ‘856
patent.

COUNT 3 - INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 7,493,558
35.

On February 17, 2009, United States Patent No. 7,493,558 (“the ‘558 patent”)

was duly and legally issued for an invention entitled “System and Method for Enabling Users to
Interact in a Virtual Space.” The ‘558 patent has been assigned by the inventors to Worlds, and
Worlds is the sole and exclusive owner of the ‘558 patent and holds all rights and interests in the
‘558 patent. Among other things, Worlds holds the sole and exclusive rights to manufacture,
use, sell, import and offer to sell under the ‘558 patent and the right to enforce the ‘558 patent
against alleged infringers.
36.

Worlds has complied with any applicable statutory notice requirements by posting

notice of the ‘558 patent on its website and downloadable software.
37.

Activision has infringed and will continue to infringe one or more claims of the

‘558 patent by its manufacture, use, sale, importation, licensing and/or offer for sale of its
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Worlds of Warcraft and Call of Duty video games, which each embody one or more claims of the
‘558 patent. Activision also has infringed and continues to infringe one or more claims of the
‘558 patent by contributing to and actively inducing others to use, sell, import, and/or offer for
sale its Worlds of Warcraft and Call of Duty video games.

Activision is liable for its

infringement of the ‘558 patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271.
38.

Activision’s acts of infringement have caused damage to Worlds, and Worlds is

entitled to recover from Activision the damages it has sustained as a result of Activision’s
wrongful acts in an amount subject to proof at trial.

Worlds has owned the ‘558 patent

throughout the period of the Activision’s infringing acts. Activision’s infringement of Worlds’
exclusive rights under the ‘558 patent will continue to damage Worlds, causing irreparable harm
for which there is no adequate remedy at law, unless enjoined by this Court.
39.

Upon information and belief, Activision’s infringement of the ‘558 patent is

willful and deliberate, entitling Worlds to increased damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284 and to
attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in prosecuting this action under 35 U.S.C. § 285.
40.

Activision has been on constructive notice of the ‘558 patent by at least as early

as February 17, 2009, when the ‘558 patent was issued. Moreover, upon information and belief,
Activision has been aware of Worlds’ patent portfolio through its knowledge of Worlds’
infringement litigation against NCSoft Corporation, Civil Action No. 6:08-cv-508 in the Eastern
District of Texas. Nevertheless, Activision has infringed and continues to infringe the ‘558
patent.

COUNT 4 - INFRINGEMENT OF U.S. PATENT NO. 7,181,690
41.

On February 20, 2007, United States Patent No. 7,181,690 (“the ‘690 patent”)

was duly and legally issued for an invention entitled “System and Method for Enabling Users to
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Interact in a Virtual Space.” The ‘690 patent has been assigned by the inventors to Worlds, and
Worlds is the sole and exclusive owner of the ‘690 patent and holds all rights and interests in the
‘690 patent. Among other things, Worlds holds the sole and exclusive rights to manufacture,
use, sell, import and offer to sell under the ‘690 patent and the right to enforce the ‘690 patent
against alleged infringers.
42.

Worlds has complied with any applicable statutory notice requirements by posting

notice of the ‘690 patent on its website and downloadable software.
43.

Activision has infringed and will continue to infringe one or more claims of the

‘690 patent by its manufacture, use, sale, importation, licensing and/or offer for sale of its
Worlds of Warcraft and Call of Duty video games, which each embody one or more claims of the
‘690 patent. Activision also has infringed and continues to infringe one or more claims of the
‘690 patent by contributing to and actively inducing others to use, sell, import, and/or offer for
sale its Worlds of Warcraft and Call of Duty video games.

Activision is liable for its

infringement of the ‘690 patent pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 271.
44.

Activision’s acts of infringement have caused damage to Worlds, and Worlds is

entitled to recover from Activision the damages it has sustained as a result of Activision’s
wrongful acts in an amount subject to proof at trial.

Worlds has owned the ‘690 patent

throughout the period of the Activision’s infringing acts. Activision’s infringement of Worlds’
exclusive rights under the ‘690 patent will continue to damage Worlds, causing irreparable harm
for which there is no adequate remedy at law, unless enjoined by this Court.
45.

Upon information and belief, Activision’s infringement of the ‘690 patent is

willful and deliberate, entitling Worlds to increased damages under 35 U.S.C. §284 and to
attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in prosecuting this action under 35 U.S.C. § 285.
46.

Activision has been on constructive notice of the ‘690 patent by at least as early
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as February 20, 2007, when the ‘690 patent was issued. Moreover, upon information and belief,
Activision has been aware of Worlds’ patent portfolio through its knowledge of Worlds’
infringement litigation against NCSoft Corporation, Civil Action No. 6:08-cv-508 in the Eastern
District of Texas. Nevertheless, Activision has infringed and continues to infringe the ‘690
patent.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Worlds requests entry of judgment in its favor and against the Activision
defendants as follows:
a.

Declaring that the Activision defendants have infringed U.S. Patent Nos. 8,082,501;
7,945,856; 7,493,558; and 7,181,690.

b.

Awarding the damages arising out of the Activision defendants’ infringement of U.S.
Patent Nos. 8,082,501; 7,945,856; 7,493,558; and 7,181,690, including enhanced
damages pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 284, to Worlds, together with prejudgment and postjudgment interest, in an amount according to proof;

c.

Permanently enjoining the Activision defendants and their respective officers, agents,
employees, and those acting in privity with them, from further infringement,
including contributory infringement and/or inducing infringement, of U.S. Patent
Nos. 8,082,501; 7,945,856; 7,493,558; and 7,181,690;

d.

Awarding attorney’s fees pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 285 or as otherwise permitted by
law; and

e.

Awarding such other costs and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper.

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JURY DEMAND
Worlds requests a trial by jury.

Dated: March 30, 2012

Respectfully submitted,
WORLDS, INC.,
By its attorneys,
/s/ Joel R. Leeman__________
Joel R. Leeman, BBO # 292070
Jack C. Schecter, BBO # 652349
SUNSTEIN KANN MURPHY
& TIMBERS LLP
125 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02110-1618
Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
Pro hac vice (pending):
Max L. Tribble
Joseph S. Grinstein
Sandeep Seth
Ryan Caughey
SUSMAN GODFREY L.L.P.
1000 Louisiana, Suite 5100
Houston, TX 77002-5096
[phone]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

03795/05001 1618056.1

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