Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1 Filed 05/02/17 Page 1 of 6

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT

)
SHELTERLOGIC CORPORATION )
)
Plaintiff, )
) Civil Action No.
vs. )
)
DELTA CANOPY, INC. )
)
Defendant. ) May 2, 2017

COMPLAINT

The plaintiff, ShelterLogic Corporation ("ShelterLogic"), hereby files its Complaint

against the defendant, Delta Canopy, Inc. ("Delta"), as follows:

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

1. This is an action for patent infringement arising under the laws of the United States of

America.

2. The Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1338.

3. Venue is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1391 and 1400.

4. The Court has personal jurisdiction over Delta because, upon information and belief,

it: (1) transacts business in this state, (2) engages in infringing conduct in this state, and/or (3)

induces others to engage in infringing conduct in this state.

5. More particularly, Delta has sold infringing products to customers in this District.

6. Additionally, Delta operates and maintains "an online marketplace" that promotes

"free ground shipping to the contiguous 48 United States," and allows the purchase and delivery

of products to consumers located in this District, including infringing products.

{N5348107}
 Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1 Filed 05/02/17 Page 2 of 6

7. Finally, Delta offers for sale, distributes and/or sells infringing products to Sears, and

thereby induces Sears to sell infringing products to consumers located in this District.

THE PARTIES

8. ShelterLogic is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of

Connecticut and maintains a principal place of business at 150 Callendar Road, Watertown,

Connecticut.

9. Delta is a Texas corporation and maintains a place of business located at 2160

RedBud Boulevard, McKinney, Texas.

FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

10. ShelterLogic is an innovator and global leader in shelter design and has been since

1991.

11. On February 14, 2012, the United States Patent and Trademark Office duly issued

U.S. Patent No. D654,187 S ("the 187 Patent"), which protects the unique ornamental design of

a particular shelter shape. A copy of the 187 Patent is attached as Exhibit A.

12. ShelterLogic owns all rights, title and interest in the 187 Patent.

13. The exclusive right to design, market and sell shelters claimed by the 187 Patent is a

valuable business asset of ShelterLogic.

14. ShelterLogic promotes and sells the commercial embodiment ofthe 187 Patent under

the trademark Garage-in-a-Box. The commercial embodiment is depicted in Exhibit B.

15. ShelterLogic's Garage-in-a-Box product with its unique design has become a

commercial success for ShelterLogic.

16. Delta is a direct competitor of ShelterLogic particularly in the United States, and

upon information and belief, Delta is acutely aware of ShelterLogic's innovations, commercial

offerings, and commercial success.

{N5348107} 2
 Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1 Filed 05/02/17 Page 3 of 6

17. Despite this, Delta imports, uses, makes, offers for sale and/or sells a replica product

that is virtually identical to the unique design ofthe 187 Patent.

18. Delta promotes, offers for sale and sells the infringing product on its online

marketplace, www.deltacanopy.com, and further induces Sears to offer for sale and sell the

infringing product on its online marketplace, www.sears.com.

19. Images of the infringing product from the two online marketplaces are attached as

Exhibits C and D.

COUNT ONE

20. ShelterLogic repeats andre-alleges the foregoing paragraphs of its Complaint, as if

the same were fully set forth herein.

21. In violation of35 U.S.C. 271(a), Delta directly infringes the 187 Patent, by its

importing, using, making, advertising, offering to sell, and/or selling of the infringing products

in the United States.

22. Delta's infringing products are virtually identical to the patented design of the 187

Patent.

23. The 187 Patent is thus infringed because an ordinary observer would think that the

accused design is substantially the same as the patented design, particularly when the two

designs are compared in the context of the prior art.

24. ShelterLogic will suffer irreparable harm if this Court does not enjoin Delta under 35

U.S.C. 283 from continuing to directly infringe the 187 Patent.

25. ShelterLogic has suffered harm as a result of Delta's infringing conduct and is

entitled to an award of damages pursuant to 35 U.S. C. 284 and/or 35 U.S.C. 289.

{N5348107} 3
 Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1 Filed 05/02/17 Page 4 of 6

26. Delta is guilty of willful infringement entitling ShelterLogic to the recovery oftreble

damages pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 284.

27. This is an exceptional case entitling ShelterLogic to the recovery of attorneys fees

and costs under 35 U.S.C. 285.

COUNT TWO

28. ShelterLogic repeats andre-alleges the foregoing paragraphs of its Complaint, as if

the same were fully set forth herein.

29. In violation of35 U.S.C. 271(b), Delta indirectly infringes the 187 Patent, by its

promotion, distribution and sale of infringing products to others in the United States, including

Sears

30. ShelterLogic will suffer irreparable harm if this Court does not enjoin Delta under 35

U.S.C. 283 from its indirect infringement ofthe 187 Patent.

31. ShelterLogic has suffered harm as a result of Delta's infringing conduct and is

entitled to an award of damages pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 284 and/or 35 U.S.C. 289.

32. Delta is guilty of willful infringement entitling ShelterLogic to the recovery of treble

damages pursuant to 35 U.S. C. 284.

33. This is an exceptional case entitling ShelterLogic to the recovery of attorneys fees

and costs under 35 U.S.C. 285.

{N5348107} 4
 Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1 Filed 05/02/17 Page 5 of 6

DEMAND FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, ShelterLogic respectfully requests that the Court enter judgment against

Delta as follows:

1. Enjoining Delta and its officers, agents, employees and all others in concert or

participation with them from all acts of infringement of the 187 Patent;

2. An award of damages together with interest and costs pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 284

and/or 35 U.S.C. 289;

3. An award of three times the damages by reason of Delta's willful infringement of

the 187 Patent under 35 U.S.C. 284;

4. A declaration that this case is exceptional and an award of reasonable attorneys'

fees under 35 U.S.C. 285;

5. All other relief, legal or equitable, that this Court deems proper.

{N5348107} 5
 Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1 Filed 05/02/17 Page 6 of 6

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

Pursuant to Rule 38 ofthe Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, ShelterLogic demands a trial

by jury of any issue triable as ofright by ajury.

THE PLAINTIFF,
SHEL TERLOGIC CORPORATION

Dated: May 2, 2017

jhorvack@carmodylaw.com

{N5348 107) 6
Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-1 Filed 05/02/17 Page 1 of 8

EXHIBIT A
 Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-1 Filed 05/02/17 Page 2 of 8
11111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111 IIIII 11111111111111111 II IIIII 1111
USOOD654187S

(12) United States Design Patent (10) Patent No.: US D654,187 S

Shepherd (45) Date of Patent: ** Feb. 14, 2012

(54) SHELTER D414,564 s 9/1999 Goldwitz

D414,957 s ..10/1999 Rajacich oooooooooooooooooooooooo D6/387
(75) Inventor: Derald L. Shepherd, Torrington, CT D415,571 s 10/1999 Goldwitz
D415,572 s 10/1999 Goldwitz
(US) D430,306 s 8/2000 Goldwitz
6,170,503 Bl * 1/2001 Lin Shy 000000000000000000000000 135/119
(73) Assignee: Shelterlogic Corp., Watertown, CT (US) 6,367,495 B1 * 4/2002 Powell eta!. OOooooOOoooooooo 135/122
6,505,638 Bl * 1/2003 Powell et al. 00000000000000000 135/124
6,684,584 Bl 2/2004 Goldwitz
(**) Term: 14 Years D568,495 S * 5/2008 Kennedy et al. 0000000000000000 D25/1
D574,918 S * 8/2008 McAlister 00000000000000000000 D21/834
(21) Appl. No.: 29/356,755 0588,715 s 3/2009 Funk
D593,209 S 5/2009 VanElverdinghe
(22) Filed: Mar. 2, 2010 D603,057 S * 10/2009 VanElverdinghe 000000000000 D25/56
D603,529 S * 11/2009 VanElverdinghe 000000000000 D25/56
(51) LOC (9) Cl. .. ................................................ 25-01 D605,782 S 12/2009 Ross
(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................ D25/22; D21/834 D607,077 S * 12/2009 Prevost 000000000000000000000000 D211834
D620,531 S * 7/2010 Allen D20/ 19
(58) Field of Classification Search ............... D25/l-35; 2008/0017231 AI* 1/2008 Chen
0000 000000 0000000000 000000 oo

00 0000 00 000000 0000 000000 oooo 135/121

52/2.17, 2.25, 86, 64, 66, 67, 71, 72, 80,
52/82; 174/379; D21/834-838; Dl2/403; * cited by examiner
135/90, 121-124
Primary Examiner- T. Chase Nelson
See application file for complete search history.
Assistant Examiner- Eric Goodman
(56) References Cited (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- Carmody & Torrance LLP

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS (57) CLAIM

The ornamental design for a shelter, as shown and described.
1,871,913 A * 8/1932 Patterson .. oo 00000000000000000000 52/280
D208,520 s .. 9/1967 Chorey 000000000000000000000000 D211834 DESCRIPTION
3,755,976 A * 9/1973 Dolhaine oooooooooooooooooooooo 52/93.1
3,780,477 A * 12/1973 Sprung, Jr. 00000000000000000000 135/124
4,404,980 A * 9/1983 Wade oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 135/123 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shelter;
D297,424 S * 8/1988 Norris, III 00000000000000000000 Dl2/403 FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;
D304,240 S * 1011989 Wright oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo D25/l FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view thereof;
0336,505 s .. 6/1993 Danaher 0000000000000000000000 D211838 FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view thereof;
D358,191 S * 5/1995 November D211834
D362,729 S * 9/1995 Kitchel
0000000000000000000

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo D25/ll FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view thereof; and,

5,638,848 A * 6/1997 November oooooooooooooooooooooo 135/90 FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof.
D382,248 S * 8/1997 Long ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo D12/403
D409,310 S * 5/1999 Goldwitz oooooooooooooooooooooooo D25/l 1 Claim, 6 Drawing Sheets
 Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-1 Filed 05/02/17 Page 3 of 8

U.S. Patent Feb.l4,2012 Sheet 1 of6 US D654,187 S

 Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-1 Filed 05/02/17 Page 4 of 8

U.S. Patent Feb.14,2012 Sheet 2 of6 US D654,187 S

 Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-1 Filed 05/02/17 Page 5 of 8

U.S. Patent Feb.14,2012 Sheet 3 of6 US D654,187 S

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 Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-1 Filed 05/02/17 Page 6 of 8

U.S. Patent Feb. 14, 2012 Sheet 4 of 6 US D654,187 S

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 Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-1 Filed 05/02/17 Page 7 of 8

U.S. Patent Feb.l4,2012 Sheet 5 of6 US D654,187 S

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 Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-1 Filed 05/02/17 Page 8 of 8

U.S. Patent Feb. 14, 2012 Sheet 6 of 6 US D654,187 S

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Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-2 Filed 05/02/17 Page 1 of 2

EXHIBITB
4Ll':l~).l.Jpg ~Jt'bU 1m age, bUU x bUU prxels) - :Scaled l':IL % ) h ttps :/ /woodcratt- prod uctwn- web !me.netdna-ssl. com/prod uct_rmages ...
Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-2 Filed 05/02/17 Page 2 of 2

GARAGE-IN-A-BOX
SUV/TRUCK

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Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-3 Filed 05/02/17 Page 1 of 2

EXHIBIT C
LaqJUll LU Jl.lJ Jl.lL \Jlt:YI VV l l l l t : - Vt:lli:ll.;i:lllUIJY nttpS:!/ w w w .Ut:l La<.:anupu::s.<.:oiTl!<.:oue<.:nonstcarponstproouclstcarpon- .. .
Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-3 Filed 05/02/17 Page 2 of 2

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Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-4 Filed 05/02/17 Page 1 of 2

EXHIBITD
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Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-4 Filed 05/02/17 Page 2 of 2

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 Case 3:17-cv-00728 Document 1-5 Filed 05/02/17 Page 1 of 1
JS 44 (Re v. 08116) CIVIL COVER SHEET
The JS 44 civi l cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replace nor supplement the filing and serv ice of pleadings or other papers as required by Jaw, except as
provided by local rul es 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 fo r the
purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. (SEE INSTR UCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM.)

I. (a) PLAINTIFFS DEFENDANTS

She lterlog ic Corporation Delta Canopy, Inc.

(b) County of Residence of First Listed Plai ntiff _.,L:::it:.::c.:c

h:::
fi.::e'-'
l d-__~~~~~~ County of Residence of First Listed Defendant _.,C:..:o::..-l:_:.li::.
n_________
(EXCEPT IN US PLAINTIFF CASES) (IN U.S. PLAIN71FF CASES ONLY)
NOT E: IN LAN D CON DEMNATION CASES , USE TH E LOCATION OF
THE TRACT OF LAND INYOL YEO.

(C) Attorn eys (Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Nu mber) Attorneys (If Known)
John R. Horvack, Jr., Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hen nessey LLP ,
195 Church Street, P.O. Box 1950, New Haven, CT 06509-1950
T el: 203-777-5501

II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION (P lace an "X" inOneBoxOnly) III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an "X" in One Boxji1r Plaintiff
(Fo r Dive rsity Cases Only) and One Box for Defendant)
0 I U.S . Govemment ~ 3 Federa l Question PTF DEF PTF DEF
Plaintiff (U.S Gove mmenl Not a Party) Citi zen of This State 0 I 0 Incorp orated or Principal Place 0 4 0 4
of Business In Thi s State

0 U.S. Government 0 4 Di versity Citize n of Another State 0 2 0 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5
Defendant (Jndicale Cifizenship ofParfies in ltem Ill) of Business In Another State

Citi zen or Su bj ect of a 0 0 3 Foreign Nat ion 0 6 0 6

IV NATURE OF SUIT (P lace an "X" in One Box Only)
CONTRAC T !fORTS
0 110 Insurance PERSONAL INJU RY
0 120 Marin e 0 3 10 Airplan e
0 130 M ill er Act 0 3 15 Ai rpl ane Product
0 140 Negotiabl e Instrum ent Liabi li ty
0 !50 Recove1y of Overpayment 0 320 Assault, Libel &
& Enforcement of Judgment Sland er
0 !5 1 Med icare Act 0 330 Federal Employers'
0 !52 Recovery of Defaulted Liability
Student Loans 0 340 Marine
(Excludes Veteran s) 0 345 Marine Prod uct
0 153 Recovery of Overpayment Liability
of Veteran 's Benefits 0 350 Motor Ve hi cle
0 160 Stockholders' S uits 0 355 Motor Vehi cle
0 190 Other Contract Product Liability
0 195 Co ntract Product Liability 0 360 Other Personal
0 196 Franchi se Injury
0 362 Personal Injury -
Medical Malpractice
REAL I'ROP_ER'FY CLVILJRIGHifS
0 2 10 Land Condemnation 0 440 Other Civi l Rights
0 220 Forec lo sure 0 441 Voti ng
0 230 Rent Lease & Ejectm ent 0 442 Emp loyment
0 240 Torts to Land 0 443 Housing/
0 245 Tort Product Liabili ty Accomm odation s
0 290 A ll Other Rea l Property 0 445 A mer. w/Disabiliti es -
Employment
0 446 A mer. w/ Di sabiliti es-
Other
0 448 Educa ti on
PE RSONAL INJURY
0 365 Personal Injury -
Product Liability
0 367 Health Care/
Phannaceutical
Personal Injury
Product Liabili ty
0 368 Asbes tos Personal
Inju ry Product
Liability
PE RSONAL PROPERTY
0 370 Other Fraud
0 37 1 Truth in Lending
0 380 Other Personal
Property Damage
0 385 Property Damage
Prod uct Liabi lity
PRISONER PETITIONS
Habeas Corpus:
0 463 Alien Detainee
0 510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence
0 530 General
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Other:
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Condi tion s of
Confin em ent
Click here for Nature of Su it Code Desc riptions
FORFiEITUlUliPENAiLT Y Jlii1NKRUPTCY
0 625 Drug Related Se izure 0 422 A ppea l 28 USC !58
ofrroperty 2 1 USC 88 1 0 423 Withdra wa l
0 690 Other 28 usc !57
-p RIGHTS
0 820 Copyri ghts
~ 830 Patent
0 840 Trademark
,AllOR .'SEii:IJRl11Y
0 7 10 Fair Labor Standards 0 86 1 HIA(1395ff)
Act 0 862 Black Lung (923)
0 720 Labor/Ma nagement 0 863 DIWC/DI WW (405(g))
Relations 0 864 SS ID Titl e XVI
0 740 Railway Labor Act 0 865 RS I ( 405(g))
0 75 1 Famil y and Medical
Leave Act
0 790 Other Labor Litigation
0 79 1 Empl oyee Retirement FEDERAl\ 'FA'X
Income Securi ty Act 0 870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff
or Defendant)
0 871 IRS-Third Party
26 7609usc
IMMIGRATION
0 462 Naturali zation A pplication
0 465 Other Immi grati on
Actions
OTHER Sil'l\'llUTES
0 375 False Claims Act
0 376 Qui Tam (3 1 USC
3729(a))
0 400 State Reapportionment
0 4 10 Antitrust
0 430 Banks and Banking
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0 470 Racketeer Influenced and
Corrupt Organiza ti ons
0 480 Cons um er Cred it
0 490 Ca ble/Sat TV
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Exchange
0 890 OtherS tatutory Actions
0 89 1 Agri cultural Acts
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0 895 Freedom of lnfonnation
sm:rs Act
0 896 Arbitrati on
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Act/Review or App eal of
Age ncy Decision
0 950 Constitutionali ty of
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V, ORIGIN (Place an "X" in One Box Only)

~ I Original 0 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict 0 8 Multidistrict
Proceeding State Court Appell ate Court Reopened Another District Litigation - Litigation -
(>pe cifj;) Transfer Direct Fil e
Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversi~v) :
35 U.S.C . 271
VI. CAUSE OF ACTION 1-B-r-ie-f -de-s-cr-ip-t"'io_n_o_f_ca_u_s-e:- - -- - - -- -- - - -- -- - - -- - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Desig n Patent Infri ngement Case
VII. REQUESTED IN 0 CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS ACTION DEMAND$ CHECK YES onl y if demanded in complaint:
COMPLAINT: UNDER RULE 23 , F.R Cv P JURY DEMAND: )1!( Yes 0 No
VIII. RELATED CASE(S)
IF ANY DOCKET NUMBER
DATE RNEY OF RECORD
05/02/2017
FOR OFFIC E USE ONLY

RECEIPT # JUDGE MAG. JUDGE