berthold detection systems v. hellma gmbh & co kg et. al

7/28/2019 Berthold Detection Systems v. Hellma GMBH & Co KG Et. Al.

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

NORTHEASTERN DIVISION

BERTHOLD DETECTION SYSTEMS GMBH, )Plaintiff, )) CIVIL ACTION NO.

v. ))HELLMA GMBH & CO. KG, and ) DEMAND FOR JURYTHOMAS SAHIRI, ) TRIAL

Defendants. )

COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY JUDGMENT OF PATENT NONINFRINGEMENT

Plaintiff Berthold Detection Systems GmbH ("Berthold") files thisComplaint for Declaratory Judgment of Patent Noninfringement againstDefendants Hellma Gmbh & Co. KG and Thomas Sahiri (together "Hellma"), andto support its Complaint alleges:

NATURE OF THE ACTION1. This is an action under the Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C.

2201 and 2202 and the United States Patent Act, 35 U.S.C. 1 et seq resultingfrom Hellma stating Berthold is a patent infringer and demanding Berthold ceaseand desist its activities or sign a license and pay Hel1ma a substantial license fee.No State court shall have any jurisdiction over any claim for relief arising under

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FI2013 Jun-26 P

U.S. DISTRICT

N.D. OF AL

Case 5:13-cv-01170-AKK Document 1 Filed 06/24/13 Page 1 of 40


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the Patent Act. This action therefore involves non-frivolous and exclusively federalclaims that could be brought by the defendants in a coercive action

2. Berthold seeks a declaration that it, its affiliates, and its customersutilizing Berthold technology infringe no valid and asserted claim ofU.S. Patent No. 7,483,138 C" 138 Patent"). A true and correct copy of the patent isattached as Exhibit A.

PARTIES

3. Berthold is a German limited liability company with a principal placeof business at Bleichstr. 56-68, 75173 Pforzheim, Germany.

4. Berthold owns and develops technologies involving analysis of theproduction and emission of light by living organisms (bioluminescence) andchemical reactions (chemiluminescence). It manufactures sophisticated instrumentsfor scientific and medical use including the Colibri Microvolume Spectrometer("Colibri"), a compact standalone instrument to measure the properties ofparticular ranges of light passing through test samples.

5. Berthold is an FDA registered manufacturer whose US agent operatesin this judicial district at Titertek Instruments Inc., 5838 Research Park Blvd NW,Ste. 100, Huntsville, Alabama 35806. Titertek is a Berthold affiliate and itsexclusive US sales representative.

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6. Upon information and belief, Hellma is a German limited partnershipwith a sole general partner that is a limited liability company. The USPTO PatentAssignment Abstract of Title states Hellma GMBH & Co. KG is a co-owner byassignment of the right, title and interest of the' 138 Patent with a principal placeof business at Klosterrunsstrasse 5, 79379 Miillheim, Germany (last accessed June19 2013). Hellma may also have a business affiliate or representative in the UnitedStates.

7. The last residence ofThomas Sahiri known to Berthold is shown inthe USPTO Patent Assignment Abstract ofTitle which states Mr. Sahiri is a coowner by assignment of the right, title and interest of the '138 Patent residing atWehrlestrasse 33, Munich, Germany 81679. A true and correct copy is attached asExhibit B (last accessed June 21 2013). Upon information and belief, he no longerresides in Germany.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

8. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action under28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1338, and the Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. 2201 and 2202 based on federal question jurisdiction.

9. This court has personal jurisdiction over the Defendants underAlabama's long-arm statute in that Hellma has an intent or purpose to serve the

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Alabama market with products made under the' 138 Patent. Defendants'allegations that Berthold is a patent infringer which must cease and desist use of aUnited States patent, or take a license under it, are directed against Berthold's onlyAmerican agent and sales representative which is in Alabama.

10. Venue is proper in this Court under 28 U.S.C. 1391.

CEASE & DESIST AND LICENSE DEMANDS AGAINST BERTHOLD

11. Russell F. Behjatnia of the firm Law Offices of Russell F. Behjatnia,sent a letter dated March 28, 2013 to Berthold Detection Systems GmbH, to theattention ofDr. Anselm Berthold and Berthold Breitkopf in Pforzheim, Germany.The letter was "on behalf of my clients, the owners of the United States Patentnumber US 7,483 ,138 B2." A true and correct copy of the letter is attached asExhibit C.

12. Hellma and Berthold are competitors.13. The letter suggests that the Colibri uses the' 138 Patent and demands

an explanation of what entitles Berthold to use it. Without such entitlement, theletter says "we are placing [you] on notice to immediately cease and desist use ofany information or claim protected by my client's Patent number US 7,483,138B2."

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PREJUDICE" and "SUBJECT TO CONTRACT" which requires a substantialpayment from Berthold. A copy of the draft will be filed of record ifproceduresare approved by the Court to protect its claimed confidentiality, or as otherwiseordered.

18. Hellma did not provide a claim chart and other materials as requested.19. On June 11,2013, Mr. Bartol sent a letter further explaining why the

Colibri does not infringe the' 138 Patent. Among other issues, it discussesHellma's rewording of claim language and failure to explain what in the Colibriproduced the light "deflecting" claimed in the patent. A true and correct copy ofthe letter is attached as Exhibit F.

20. The '138 Patent has 99 instances of the words "deflection,""deflecting," "deflected," "deflects" and "deflect."

21. Hellma has not responded to the June 11 letter.22. Hellma's assertion that the Colibri infringes the' 138 Patent, and its

demand that Berthold cease and desist the asserted use of the patent embodied inthe Colibri or take a burdensome license, create an actual case or controversywhether Berthold, its affiliates, and customers are infringing any vaJid claim of thepatent.

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23. Hellma's statements show there is a substantial controversy, betweenparties having adverse legal interests, of sufficient immediacy and reality to

warrant issuing a declaratory judgment.24. Berthold continues to produce and market the Colibri that Hellma

accuses as infringing the' 138 Patent.

DECLARATION OF NONINFRINGEMENT

25. Paragraphs 1-24 are incorporated by reference as if fully restated.26. Hellma asserts that Berthold's Colibri infTinges Claim 1 of the' 138

Patent.27. Berthold's technology as used by Belthold and embodied in the

Colibri infringe no valid and asserted claim of the '138 Patent because Berthold'stechnology does not satisfy all the limitations of those claims.

28. Berthold's technology infringes no valid and asserted claim of the'138 Patent because Berthold possesses all rights required to practice itstechnology.

29. Based on Hellma's statements and demands against Berthold, anactual case or controversy exists whether Berthold, its affiliates, and customersinfringe any valid or enforceable claim of the '138 Patent, and Berthold is entitled

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to a declaration it, its affiliates, and its customers infringe no valid claim of thepatent.

JURY DEMANDBerthold demands a jury on all issues so triable.

PRAYER FOR RELIEFWHEREFORE, Berthold respectfully requests the following relief:

A. A judgment that Berthold, its affiliates, and customers utilizingBerthold technology as embodied in the Colibri infringe no valid claim of the '138Patent,

B. A finding that this is an exceptional case under 35 U.S.C. 285,entitling Berthold to be awarded the attorney fees, costs, and expenses it incurs inprosecuting this action;

C. Such further necessary or proper relief as the Court may deem just andproper, after reasonable notice and hearing, against Hellma.

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r .Dated:Ytmt 2/ ,2013

Respectfully submitted,

CraIg PinkusInd. Atty. No. 5749-49Bose McKinney & Evans LLP111 Monument CircleSuite 2700Indianapolis, Indiana 46204Direct dial: (317) 684-5358Direct dial fax: (317) [email protected](pro hac vice application to be filed)Michael C. BartolInd. Atty. No. 20020-02Bose McKinney & Evans LLP111 Monument CircleSuite 2700Indianapolis, Indiana 46204Direct dial: (317) 684- 684-5281Direct dial fax: (317) [email protected](pro hac vice application to be filed)

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111111 III lilll II!II 11111 11111 11I1I1!ill 11111 11111 lilill illl 1111 1111USC0748313311:2(12) United States Patent

Sahiri et al. (JO) Pat

MEASUREMENT ON A SMALL AMOUNT OFLIQum(75) Inventors: Thomas Salliri, Wchriestrasse 33,MtL'l.chen (DE) 81679; Holm Kandler,Auggcn (DE)(73) Assignees: Hellma GmbH & Co, KG, MuliheiDl(DE); Thomas Sahiri, Munich (DE)(* ) Nolice: Subject any disclaimer, the term of thispatent is extended or adjusted under 35U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.(21) AppJ. No.: 11/995,332(22) PCT Filed: Jul. 12, 2006(86) perNo.: PCTfEP:Z006/006308

371 (C)(1;'. (2), (4) Date: JIm. 11,2008 (87) PCT Pub. No.: . W02007/017035.' .

PCT I'll:>.. Du.te: Feb. J5, 2007(65) Prior lluhlicatlon Da ta

US 200Si0204755 Al Aug. 23, 2003(30) Fr.reign Applicatioll Priority Dllt:.

Aug. 5, :005 (DE) ............. .......... 10 2005 036 898(5]) Int. Cl.(lOIN 21f{)O (2006.01)(52) U.S. CI. ."" ............. " ................... 356/432; 356/246 (58) Flt 'ld of C:asslfklltion Search ................. 356/432, 3561246Sec applicr.tioll file for complet e search history.

(56) Refl!renccs CitedU.S. PATENT [)(X'UMENTS

4,707,123 A 11119!l7 McLachlan mal. (Continued)

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTSDE 9403540.7 5/1994

(Continued)arHER PUBLICATIONS

Schiek, Oswald, Technischc Optik, Zentralstellc furFl:chschulausbildung. 1961. pro 80-!lS, Dresrlen.Primary Examiner-Roy M PU!1noose(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Volpe and Koenig, PC(57) ABSTRACTA clevie!, (J) for,amllysisof.l:bsorp[ion m::asuremen\ on small amo\lilts;'fot x a # i p 1 ~ o n : a ; j . r 6 p or crop let ofa !lquiJ medium . (2) 11$Iig ,Lght < ; > ; j ~ p r o v i J C ( ! , \Vilil,::J.} tl;JPe.r p l : : . t l l ; r l o , . ' ; ) t i " ~ l (4) for the p l > ] ; , ~ t i 6 f 1 ordrap:;ing of the flIecl;um (2),


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US 7,483,138 B22

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTSDE 102004023178 12i2005

5,185,834 A 211993 Day et aL ... P ................ 385/47 EP 0660106 8/19945,311,283 A 5/1994 Heeschen2002/0024018 A I 2/2002 Saito et aI. c\led by examiner



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U.s. Patent Jan. 27,2009 Sheet 1 of2 US 7,483,138 B2

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US 7,433,133 B2 1 2

DEVICE FO R ANALYSIS OR ABSORPTION ("ICl:t:"a: [o,-thc c".':ectcrlligh! !,C'::.:n 10 !hc rd'!.:c:or ,n:l h ' ~ J lMEASUREM:ENT ON A SM.;l"LL AMOI)NT OF [";)111 tile reflector u the J:Sht exiror to u second device 10cucC

LIQUID at the !i3ht ex:t G r d ~ f l c c t j n g the ';;;).t beam. Stich an :trror.gcment has the uc ... : ; : t ~ g e ofbeltcr ar::l m o : ~ iJf,xise :ight glli.1BACKGROl.TND ance.'llle alrr ndy m::utioned alternatiyes,G('


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us 7,483,138 B2 3Primarily for tho:: combination of individllal or several of

the features and measures described above, a device is produced, for which lite mee/um to be examined can be deposited or dropped also in very small and minimal amounts ontoaneslrentially horizontal surface, wherein this receiving position is then preferably crossed twice by the light. 'I11is canhappen on the way to and fTom the reflector, wherein a correspondingly large me;::sureInent length is produced, Simul-taneously, the total overall hcigllt of the device is reduccdthrough the skillful light guidance, in which the Iightbeilm is 10directed at an n g l e to the sam!lle directly afte r its entry.

Because the medium can be deposited onto an upperreceiving locat:on, no special care and no special precautionsneed to be taken to prevent negative effects due to gravity,Instead, gravity even helps to hol:l the medium in its positioll, 15in which the measurerncnt is to take place. It is rutlicient toremove the detachabl.:: ref lector, 10 deposit tile sample, and tomove the reflector back into its position ofuse, in order to thenbe al:le to r.erform the measure ment. Dropping a samyle, forex:.tml'ie, 'With the help of a pipette, is 11 process that can be 20carried out very e:lsily.

Jh e rellector can be a milTor or a relleetive prism and cantouch the sample in the p()sit:on of use with no spacing. 111::light efiectively passes tilI1)ugh the sample correspondinglyis dellectcd hack from the reflector, in order to deflect 25!coward the actual detector via the second device for dellectioll. Tb e U e a ~ l l r c m e n t path tluuugh the sample C3n be twiceas large as the distance of the receiving surface from theSllrk'lCe of tile refi.x:tor nnd th..: light can cover this distancetwice, as already explained above. 30

For a constllnt accuracy of the measurements and to r avoiding changes to the !I1..:asurement I ~ e f e r e r : c e mcas.lI,--ement, sample me:lsl.rem"m, ami cleaningcan be perfonlle.l


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US 7,483,138 B2 5

FIG, 2 U view corresponding to FIG, 1 for a mociifiCiJerr:.bodiment, ill which the light is guided through optic!.!)w;Jveguitbs within the housing ofthe device over a large partortbe heigb:,

DE:-AILED DESCRIPTIOlJ OF THE PREFERRED EMDODIMEl'\'TS In the folbwing description, parts of the different embodiments nia:ching in tenns of Iheir fUllction receive matchingreference numbers even for modified shaping.A device designated overall with 1, whose hous:ng 6 and

thus also its housing contents ar e shown in longitudfual section in FIGS. 1 aed 2, is used for the analysis or absorptionmeasurement ofver), small amounts, for example, on a dropbt ora fraction ef a droplet ofa liquid medium 2 with the helpoflight symholized by am.ws 3, wherein the optical axis of:oJecrresponding light beam is indicated by dash-dot lines Lrunning at an ang!e to the middle M,This light guided through the medium 2 and thendetected or analyzed ill l! known way with a photomeler,s p i . ' . c t l ' O p h u t o m ~ t e r , fluorometer, orspectmnuorometer. Here,b;)th emboc!iments show that the d,-"Vice 1 has an upper planaressentially hcri7.AJntal and lal",!ely flat receivittg position 4 fi)rdepositing or dropI'ing the medium 2 in th e position of lIse, nhOlj'ZonlflJly oriel.ted light entry S located undemcr.th ther


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US 7,483,138 32 7

The reflector 8 that can be placed on top or mounteddetachably or the cover 18 holding this reflector according toFIGS. 1 and 2 is locked in rotat ion and centered relative to thedevice 1 and its housi'lg 6 in the position of use. The distanceofthe'rcflector 8 from the receiving position4 is here fixed by 5the spacer 19betwcen the reflector 8 and housing 6 'or-inboth embodiments-between the cover 18 holding the reflecto r 8 and the honsing 6, (-Iere, tlus spacer 19 can preferablyrotate like a ring; in order to m a i n ~ i n a uniform distance.

Th e device 1 preferably ha s the outer dimensions of an 10opticalcell, which can be fitted into a photometer, aspectrophotometer, fluorometer, or spectrofluorometer and whichcan be pumped by light, and the devices 7 and 9 arranged inthe interior of the deVice 1 for deflecting light are herearrangooutthe position, at which for typical optical cells, 15entry and exit windows arc provided for the light used formeasurement. 'The first device 7 for deflecting light deflectsthe light radiating in from the photometer or the like to thereceiving position 4, while the second device 9 is used fordt'fleeting the iighl coming back from this measurementposi- 20tion to lhe d?tector. The outerilimensio ns ofth:.:cross sl'Ctionof the d;)vice 1 correspond to L'lose of a standard optical ceIluad equal, fer example, 12,5 m..'11x12,5 mm,Therelore, as can be seen in the figures, the optical uxis Lof the emerging light bean! aligns wilh that or the incoming 25!ig.!}t beam 3, but these two areas of the light beam could al.oenclose a right angle if the two devices 7 and 9 are rotatedreiative to each otlIer accordillgly.

Th e device 1 for thc nnalysis or absorption measuremcnt ofa sl111l amount , for l.'Xalllple, of a drop or adroplet of a liquid 30medium 2 with the help of light 3 has an upperpI8J.".arreceiv

position4 for depositing or dropping the medium 2and aIiglJ,t entry 5 located in t!le position of use underneath tillsr


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US 7,483,138 32 9

receiving position (4) frolll a surface of the reflector (n) andthe light coveTS this distance twice for forming a tot11 measnrement path.

14. Device ac(;()rd:ng to claim 1, wherein thc reflector (8)can be placed or mounted detachably or a cover (18) holdingthe reflector is Jocked in rotation and centered relative to thedeVice (1) aGdthe housing (6) thereof in the position ofuse.

15 .. Device according to claim 1, wherein a distance of tilereflector (8) frum the receiving position (4) is fixed by at leastone spacer (19), which is arranged between t he reflector (8) orcover (18) and housing (6), or by at least one stop.

16. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) hasouter dimensions corresponding to an optical cell, which canbe fitted into a photometer, spectrophotometer, fluorometer,or spectrufluorometer and which can be pumped by light, andthe devices (7, 9) arranged in an interior of the dcvice (1) for

10guiding or ddlcct:.ng light ,Ire 2l7llngcd at a position of thedevice (1), :;1 which, for ty!,ic&1 optical cclls, cmry nn:!


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f lUng 01: (It/l1J2eG8

i i USPTO Assignme-nts an h ! Web W;..-.dcws hterr:el. bp-lott-r- ~ - - - ~ - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - - -

Patent Assignment Abstract of ntleNOf[:;flesults disrday Ol/tv fo r issued va tents an d published applicatipns. For pendino or abandoned aVlllicaliiJlIs plea:ie coll,uft USPI0 stiJJ.t.

ITotal Assignments.: 2 Patent #: lssue Ct: 01/27/2009 Application lit: 11995332 Publiat ion " ; : . Q ~ . ~ Q , ; ? Q f L : : 2 . 2 Pu b ot : 0t3j2Sj200S lm;,enhns! Thomas SahirL Holm Kandler Title: OEVICE FOR ANALYS1S OR ABSORPTION f.1EASUREMENT ON A SMAll AMOUNT Of LIQUIO

A s s i 9 n m e n t ~ 1 RecDrded: 01/11/2006 Pages: 5

Conveyance: ASS1Gf..I"'tENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST {SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS).Assignors:: . ~ : ~ t ~ L J 1 : ! Q l : 1 . : , , ; ; , Exec Ot: 11119/2Q07

1 . ! t i . Q l . . f B , ..t;;Ql..t1 Exec Ot: 12/17/2(107Assignee; ; i f ; ~ ~ Q KlOSTERRuNSSTRASSE 5

MtJLLHEIM, GERMANY '9379 CDrrespondent: VOlPE 4NO XOENIG, p.e.

! J t ~ I n : D P L ~ t A . SUITE 1600 30 SOUTh liTH STReET PHILADELPHIA. PA 19':!))

ASsfqnmenl: 2 ReeI/Ft'arP.e; < : ' ( J , ; ; ' i ; i . ~ D : ? . : : ) ReconJed: 12/16/200S Pages: .4 ConvC!: . . ~ Exc:c ot : 12/1 ()/200aAssignees: : f . t ! . ! J ! . ~ ! : 1 ~ t L ~ J : Q , . z : . Q

. L O S T E R W N S ~ T R A S S E .5 t-iUl.lt-l1t-l, GEHMAN'!' 793/9 !i8tlI!1LJllQ&, WEHftLESTR.ASSE' 33 I,. f.1iJNCHEN, GERf-lANY 8\679corres4Jondp.nt : PAMCIOLOH), HUIS30 SOUTH 1n H STREET

I UNITEI:' PUL.\. SUITt:: 1500P H t L A D E L P t ; V ~ . rio 1910,

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Law Offices of Russell F. Behjatnia

14401 GILMORE STREET, SUITE 100VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA 91401

TELEPHONE (616) 1798838fACSIMilE (818) 77S'3860

March 28. 2013Berthold Detection Systems GmhHDr. Anselm Bel1hold. Berthold BreitkopfBJekhstr. 56 - 6875173 PforzheimGermany

Dear Dr. Berthold and Mr. Bn:itkopf:I am contacting you on behalf of my clients, the owners of the United States Patem number US7,483,138 B2, regarding the following maHer:The description in the brochure of your product Colibri Micl'(Jvolume Spectrophotometersuggests that said product is IHilizing the invention of my clients.Clearly your instrument is an apparatus for In(: absorption measurement in a small quantity ofliquid medium, e.g. a drop, by means of light, \vhidl ig guided through sample 10 allow thedetection or analysis of the sample. The Collb!'i Micnwolumc Spectrophotometer is comprising anupper planar receiving position for deposit or dropping oflhc medium in a position OrtiS!;. Alight entry located in the position of use underneath the receiving position in a housing and adevice located in the beam path at the light entry fbI' deflecting the light upward toward thereceiving position and a reflector that is mounted detachably above the receiving position. Theinstrument has, in a position of lise, a de1ined spacing ti'om the receiving position that is filled orcan be filled at least in a region oCthe light passag


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t\larch 28. 20 I iBerthold Dch;'"rion Systems GmblIPage :2 o f '

[ anI expecting your res ron:;..: by no later than April 15.2013. S:lOuld we not rect:ive yourrcspOll::>e, we shall assume that you will not be able to provide (\ s a t i s l ~ l C l o r y answer.

Attorn..:')' at Um



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< t 1 1 ~ i i ~ " I " ~ ' ! ( J phr"t-.Hll(1l,,f, : ' r l , , ' ( ; t r ( j p h ( ~ t i ) U 1 t ' t V : , n u o r l l r n " : ; k ~ L(If Si't''(.'1 rr'.f1lh-)r\')JOch:r. w l h . ~ f \ . ~ ! n {he l . ~ v i e ( ' ha.:-., in the piJSili ( . ~ H l i o H f':ir h c d l , ; , ~ l ) ( . ~ i f i ( ) n ~ ' j rJ r o r r i n ~ of Iht: t n ( ' 1 . ' t i u t n ~ n 1ig,ht t'"n.\ry l t ~ H k i . i . in t h , , ~ f'l('},itif,nof US\:'j uudt'rll':Hlh the r e c ~ i \ ' i n . g ) , ' C a t i o n ~ III howung. iJ.nda !In,, de"j;:e k",atc'd in the b ~ l l n path l:>t.'hll1d lh" IJght entryf"f t ~ t J ( J C t i l l g the liSb! upward 10 the t ~ d v i n g ({)(attofl and ardk'Ctof thllt C ~ U l be m(JuJlk'd ddum. "I ' il liqllid medium in a simpl" way nn!t; an K " ~ i S U r C l l 1 l . , . . " f l l k)Ca1ion mid b c ~ i , n ~ ~ h l e to c k " ' ~ 1 n rellahlv andl2'llsily ,;'itk"r thc- J\lL'3sUR"1))CtlL uKlinlatHed atld. n C \ - ' ~ r 1 h ( >h::,:,;. th..: overaH l\i.. ' ~ ~ t l t < : ~ : m he reducctf

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, , ~ ! ' t l ; ' A n H . ~ t l ' l J l ~ h : ( : D n l i n l l h ' .;;Lmrl II. I . ' s p - > . : ' ( ; i - _ d l ~ t


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US 7.483, US B2 PrimariJv (he (:oIubina!inu .of individ\J;!l ,) t M:v.:ral (j1

1 h ~ " ' t ~ ' a i t j r L \ ~ "Hid flh.'a,"nrt."'i zh.S('Orx."'l.1 ~ 1 h ( j \ e, a d c v ; ( . , " ' t ~ 1"': p i n ~duc',-,,!. f ~ ' r whidl 11l,' uwdluUl il l be CXJ!lllned , ':Ul he . : H t ( . ~ , ~ t h ~ d ~ \ ! r HI' ~ t H r v .

i k ~ ' ; ( t U : - \ l ~ t h ~ ; , ;rwchurn ;;.itn d ~ l ~ ' 1 s : j t l . . ' \ i {'lnio iU} ~ , I p r c rt'f" ..."'.\HlurL no ! . P t . . ~ , d d ] "":lfC and no ~ P { ' C l U J p r , , ~ c m H j ( \ n t >u\":Cd'h) takco h.J p r e " v G t l ~ n ~ " " g . H t J V J . : i. .tl"'Cb d t J ~ {() gnfvity,

lnstt'dd.gpvityevi:nh\,:lnr. h ' ~ ' 1 ' l l S t t the So.;iltlpk Ulld 10milt'" lil" rj viu}! ft;..;j. 1, n:prnducibly in dlC r') l(lo {, f w;.c. this

d i ~ l ' i t r F . ' 1 , : ' ~ ~ ! n he fixed hy -lH k " + > ~ l S : { tJnt' s-.-pacer } w { w e i ; : ~ n therct1eclnr ('r "(Wl."r housing or by il ~ i \ 1 p . 1 hll$, 1('( Ii lJ""({he;"\."" i" 1!.A lh(" l.1t.x:eSs.ily (,;f t;tkil1g ('1n;caution.s !tJr fnl1ioinin."ing ~ h \ . ' " rn . ' d 0 ' t n n i n t ~ : 1 dbtaru:.c '1.\ h t ~ . n ~ " l t i Q g the l'"t?tlC'{.'tnr L,f

.." ' ; ' i . ) ' . . ' - . ~ r wi;i; rdlYh l[ th4..' tl/;!vic(.' in 'its p t b i t i ' ~ \ f l t ~ f u s . { , . ' .\1 :;v, \:'on:;tru':"'lion Pi' th e ~ p a c c r nr (1 s,lOr ( ~ n n ~ $ o J \ ' ~ d

m U l : t u r a l J ~ in din;;rc!'!l \\J:Y" Hen.'. um:l",. cet1;l!1l circllmS ! ~ f X A : \ . " : - ; . i1 1.::\ en ~ : ) H c l , . i v a b l c fhat Sp"l;... \ . ~ r ;1nd thc h o l d l ~ rftK lhl,." l' t;..Hlf'n.::;1 k l ! : k l H ~ ~ . , r the r.:flcL'l{)t ~ : I r ( ' l . . A ( 1 m h i r ) ( . ~ d ~ : i l h

t . . ~ ~ " c hbJ,\:",,:d, l l > ~ ' L1lows fi}f til" l i ~ h ( \l;c,,1 I"t mCa,Ul"-'lIlClj(, "h(' fir,;]d"",Ct' ii,rii1?},t i e l l ' ' ' " t j . ' n ddb.:t, the light ilh':nmmjl fl'OlH thepholnmclcrln Ihe rcceiving ,;urfilce;md!llC "1X{)[ld ;',,,kc brlitchI ddh:clion dc/k"'ls the lig.ht ,"ll11I!l!L hack fmffl lh,: mea-~ u r e t l 1 C ! l l pnf.HiutJ II> tbe delc,,:wr. ,kJ1lt\,! ,,,kxl1onor d i m ~ n 5 i 0 n . ~ rd' the dt"vt.;c 10 th,,; .I[1\\.:nllOfI,ihis cun be i l l > t ~ r h . ' t i ) n k ~ c t C " r s ~ f! t spt,..'('tn.>fhllrrui1li:'iL'f'). . c l \ ( 1 H ~ H i t \ 1t:"


28/40

us 7.48.1.1l, J" 1 1 (f ' f do ! n " < . h . n , " ~ d

.n!'t\"jdl!n .. 11 tlirdugh uplil.:':J!('Yt.':'f :- Inrge r(1f1

m' [ \ lU;Ll i)lSCI{Il 'noN' OF f i l l PH!'lTfU{i'Di 'MB('j)IMJ'NTS

in th.o pans ,. / t ilt ' diH"relll '''Hh,)di:)h:ntj n . : 1 H H ; h i B ~ _ h ~ t 1 H ; { or t\),:1' f u n \ , ; t h ~ u n : ~ c . Q i v , - ; U l ~ 1 h , " ' h b ! !

r d ~ n . m c r : n t L t n b ~ t ; ; c ' ~ - c n f(lr JU\.)1..hfk'tl S h ~ l r i n h : , -Aoc"l'jt,c d c ' ; i g . n ~ " ~ f ov(,'n.!1 with I, who,,,, hou.ing 6 and,hm ,II", h"uslng c..mt....nt,; a!'\! .bm,n in l o n ~ t i t u d i J l ' d "\'Ctiml in FIGS, 1 and 1. used li'f the anulysis or abs tpli()llu.e'L,urenJ('ut ofn'l')' ;,m"lIlnl1dLllllS, for ..:"mnpl", oil iJ drnplet or " fmctionnf", droplet nfa liquid H l ~ - d i u m 2 with the help,)f1ighl nmb1ilbd by arFJW, :\, wller...in Ibc ()plkxJ i I ~ i ~ vt""orresl"l!ldinl!- light bCilnl IS indk.. tcd by dnshdot line. Ifunning al an angJc to the middle' M,

! b i ~ light " guided titr,)lIgh 111", rrwdilltll 2 and 111"11de1\.'Cwd 11J.HUU!tb un opW::tJ "k-ment. "hidl C,iIlbc!


29/40

US 7.481, 1327 8tl!c r d k ~ , ; l ( ) t S that ~ ' ; m ~ ) \ ~ plnced an h1p d,kulchilhly or !h" C,'Ycr 1/\ h(,ltllllg rili, rdkcw( ;x:cfmling tc>F1GS. 1 aud 2 is Inckt";\\-t,.'i;"!l H J - \ ~ C ~ ; \ \ - ~ ( 18 h ) l d i n ~ ,be rlfj Ill ofIllC ,ros, S

"[h"rduf{e, :.:" mn b., ,""'ll in Ill r ( l i l l g l y ,11,,, d'""lee 1 for the m l 1 l j y " j ~ or IIh"Urptl 1,1tlgilUdinai middk (M) t'Xh::ttd" hdweenIbo: light entry (S)nn!! ,lit' iigJn ~ " l \ i t of1b", ,kYle" (lL

l 1 ~ v ; ( ' . : l1;..:.:::nrding. to dauli 11 w h ( ~ f i . . ~ i n .ao:; the ilplko]\ , ' l ~ u h . H t {(It dcfkcI.ing Jiglu bcarn toward lh l ' n."-11t"und,kvice k"';;led il l II>" ligl11 e.xil "If l l ' ! l l ~ c l i l ! ; ; the lighllx'wn.11lcz'C' is at lcust on",'" uf (itW f..."'1.1S. un>.:: pri;;nl or \ ) n t ~ nptlcul

w ' w " j , w i d , , ( 1 ( , ~ 17)":'I.lx,iceiJcc'ml;ug (o,"lalm I. w h d ' < ~ u t h e l j g b t ""',Htl rut\'Mp!ld off Of IUtOVi!rtld,

n } ' n ~ t r ; - ' ; H :,h;; r ~ j t l G a l path!er,gttll:an [)I; set :0 2 Hi i mm l', fl!Di0l poS.tionS the s"mpicChll!n!)Cr 10 l!1e c h o ~ e n palh'englh I'mh highest preCIsion, tOl som" proto

tit" fflslrurnen; Cllil be .set !c HlIIOfl),llcal!v seGel Hie best paU:!eIlUlhM;;;:pr(H.iiJClb!e MedfRun';rnB'nL

COlr:PitJS-Sc\t samr}le is $uPTounde{j try, mert m:Jhuuls ] n t { H ; f l a t i . ~ ~ ("/apor


33/40

For DNA, RNA. Protein and rv1ore.



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Colibri Tech 'cal Data

Performanca Data8,anlph:l Volume l ' - ~ p lSfms,hvtly i3/00ng / fl1

S ~ t ( j m Ptop!!rties

Optical Seeciflca:tionsPathlung!h 0 ) ilin arn:i 1mm, 1l,itOf.elt'C! functionWaveh'mth r ~ ' ! ! ! J J e . 2()O-8!.1!JnmLamp Xenon Fladlfamp

o c l ; ; : i ~ r i04sjJ1xorarrayWalle length AC(;UfIlC.


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BOSEMcKINNEY Michaef C. BartolDirect Dial: (317) 664-5281&EVANS UP

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

April 29, 2013 .

Russell F. Behjatnia, Esq. 14401 Gilmore Street, Suite 100 Van Nuys, CA 91401

Fax: (317) 223-0281E-Mail: [email protected]

. 'Via Facsimile and U.S. FirstClass Mail

Re: Your Ref.: Colibri Microvolurne Spectrophotometer Our Ref.: 24926-0002 Dear Mr. Dehjatnia:

Further to my letter ofApril 12,2013, we have now reviewed U_S. Patent No. 7,483,138(the "138 patent") vis-a.-vis our client 's Colibri Microvolume Spectrometer ("Colibri"}.You stated in your letter that "the brochure of [my client's product] suggests that saidproduct is utilizing the invention ofmy clients." We believe that your reliance on the CoHbribrochure has left you with an incorrect and incomplete understanding of the Colibri vis-a.-visyour client's patent. For example, we do not believe you could ascertain from the CoJibribrochure the interior components of the Colibri that are necessary to compare it to claim 1 of the'138 patent. You obviously already appreciate that your understanding of the Colibri isincomplete since you asked in your letter for us "to explain facts."Accordingly, to respond to your letter, we carefully exzmined the Colibri i tself andreviewed detailed drawings that illustrate the specific interior structure of the Colibri. Basedupon our analysis of the actual structure and design of the Colibri relative to claim 1 orthe '138patent, we can assure you that the Colibri does not intringe the' 138 patent.As you know, patent infringement requires a shoV'.'ing that each element or limitation ofthe asserted claim is found in the accused product. See,y" rIP Systems, LLC v. Phillips &Brooks, 529 F.3d 1364 (Fed. Cir. 2008). Several elements of claim 1 are mh:;sing trom theColibri, and therefore, there can be no infringement.First, claim 1 of the '138 patent requires "a light entry (5) located in the position of useunderneath the receiving position (4) in a housing (6)." The Colibri is entirely missing this claimclement. There is no light entry in the housing of the Colibri; it instead produces light internally.Claim I also requires "a first device (7) located in the beam path of the light entry (5) fordeflecting the light upward toward the receiving posi!ion (4) and the reflector (8) that is mounted

111 Monument Circle, Suite 2700 I Indianapolis, Indiana 4620-


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IBOSE Russell F. Behjatnia, Esq.McKINNEY April 29, 2013& EVANS UP Page 2ATTORNEYS AT LA W

detachably toward the receiving position (4)." The '138 patent teaches that the "first device" isembodied as a prism 12 (see Fig. 1). The Colibri has no such "first device." Indeed, the lightthat is internally produced by the Colibri is not deflected; it is instead projected in a straight linefrom the source to the sample.

Further, claim 1 requires "a reflector (8) that is mounted detachably above the receivingposition (4)." Here again, the Colibri has no detachable reflector. Th e Colibri has a reflector,bu t it is ~ e c u r e d to the main part of the device by a hinge; it cannot be detached

. We believe that there are other reasons that the Colibri does not infringe any claim of the'138 patent, but we believe that the three elements of claim 1 just noted that are entirely lackingin the Colibri should provide you sufficient informaHon to reconsider your position.

We trust that you will either rely on our assurances cr confirm non-infringement furyourself by comparing claim 1 of the '138 patent with the actual structure and components of theColibri. In the unlikely event that you should disagree wit; our co:::tclusion or otherwise maintainthe allegation that the Colibri infringes the '138 patent, please provide us a claim chart listingeach element of claim 1 and adjacent to it a description of the corresponding structlltc of theColibri. Please include in the chart or separately an explanation of how you believe theparticular structure you have identified meets the functional fC

If you should have any qUe..c;tiOllS, please contact me. I f I do not hear from you within fifteen (15) days ofthe date of this letter, we will consider this matter closed.

~ ~ ~ y ~ o u 4 r _ s , _ _ _ _ _ __M i C h a ~MeD/es/pescc: Dr. Niels Mommer, Twelmeier Mommer & PartnerC. Pinkus, Esq.2339997



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Law Offices of Russell F. Behjatnia

14401 GILMORE STREET .SUITE 100VAN NUYS. CALIFORNIA 91401TELEPHONE (818) 779-8888FACSIMILE (818) 779-8860

May 30,2013Bose, Mc Kinney & Evans LLP Michael C. Bartol I I I Monument Circle, Suite 2700 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Email: [email protected] Re: Colibri Microvolume Spectrophotometer

Your file No.: 24926-0002 Dear Mr. Bartol:We have reviewed your response together with the available technical documentation thoroughlyand are convinced that the Colibri Microvolume Spectrophotometer (Colibri) of your client isinfringing US Patent No. 7,483,138 and the corresponding international patent fanlily of myclient.In particular we would like to respond to your citations as follows:I. You are arguing that the head of Colibri is not showing a housing with a light entry

underneath the receiving position and that the instrument is producing the light internallyinstead.According to the published facts the Colibri has an integrated housing that guides thelight up to the sample receiving position. With the design the lamp could actually bedetached from the setup leaving a housing with a light entry and a device to guide thelight in a set angle to the receiving position.

2. Your input regarding the lacking first deflection is incorrect. According to the availabletechnical facts one or more optical components are integrated to bring the emitted lightfrom the lamp to the receiving position at a defined angle.

3. A hinge added to a detachable reflector is not bypassing the detachable nature of thereflector. To allow the Colibri to work, a detachable reflector actually is needed to allowusers to pipette a sample onto the receiving position and to consequently be able toanalyze the sample. The hinge has to be considered as an add-on to the technology of ourclients which the Colibri is clearly utilizing as the technology backbone of the system.

EXHIBIT E

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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May 30, 2013Michael C. BartolPage 2

Based on the factual and legal position we are asking your client to stop the useof the technologydescribed in US Patent No. 7,483,138 and the corresponding international patent family withimmediate effect. Should your client intend to continue thc useof the technology described in USPatent No. 7,483,138 and the corresponding international patent family, my client is offering thepossibility to enter into a license agreement allowing the unlimited useof the technology in thecurrent setup of the Colibri system. A draft copyof the agreement can be found enclosed to thisletter.We are expecting your client's decision latest by June 11 ,2013.



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Michael C. BartolBOSE Direct Di;.d: n 17! 6B4S2fllFax: i'l17) 223-0281McKINNEY [.-Mail: t..1Bartol@:boselaw.com& EVANS LLP

ATTOR NEYS AT LAWJune 11, 2013

Russell F. Behjatnia, Esq.14401 Gilmore Street, Suite 100Van Nuys, CA 91401Via Electronic Mail

and U.S. Mail .

Re: Your Ref.: Colibri Microvolume SpectropOur Ref.: 24926-0002 hotometer

Dear Mr. Bchjatnia:We have received your letter of May 30,2013. We maintain that the Colibri does notinfringe the' 138 patent for at least the same reasons we provided in our earlier letter.In point 2 of your letter, you allege that "one or more optical componer.ts[ofthe Cotibri]are integrated to bring the emitted light from the lamp to the receiving position at a definedangle." We disagree with your rewording of what is claimed. Specifically, claim 1 requires a

''first device (7) located in the beam path at the light entry (5) fo r deflecting the light upwardtoward the receiving position." We interpret the term "cefletling" in the' 138 patent to beconsistent with its ordinary meaning, namely, that the first device causes the light beam tochange direction. Similarly, the term "deflecting" is used exclusively in the' 138 patent toconnote a change of direction in the light beam. We count 99 instances of the wores"deflection," "deflecting," "deflected," "detleets" and "deflect" in the' 132 patent.

The' 138 patent explains why deflecting the incoming and exiting light bear:1s isnecessary:In this way, the light entry and light exit correspond to those of a conventional optical cdl, so thatfeeding of the light and also its detection after passing through the sample can be performi:'tI veryeasily primarily in corresponding, already existing measurement (kvices. . . .

'138 patent, col. 4, lines] 2-16. Thus, the' 138 patent does not teach a stand-alone device, butinstead teaches a device that can be used "in most commercially available measurement devices. . . and in older measurement devices without modification." rd., col. 4, lines 40-44.In contrast to claim I of the '138 patent, and as we notcd in our lettcr of April 29, 2013,in the Co!ibri, the light that is internally produced is not deflected, i.e.; it does not changedirection. The light is instead projected in a straight line f,om the source to the sample. Unlikethe device taught in the' 138 patent, the Co!ibri is a stand-alone device that has not been adapted

111 M O n ~ " J l e " t Circle, Suite 2700 I Indi:mz.poiis, Indi.1I1J 4(,204 M,lin T c l t ' p h o n , ~ : 317.684c S()OO I 1'.1Jin Fax: 317-684-5173.!y\.\ ' \\ ' b n s ~ ~ l a \ - v ..LQill

EXHIBIT F

http:///reader/full/1Bartol@:boselaw.comhttp:///reader/full/componer.tshttp:///reader/full/1Bartol@:boselaw.comhttp:///reader/full/componer.ts


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I OSE RusselJ F. Behjatnia, Esq.McKINNEY Jupe 11,2013& EVANS U.P Page 2ATt"ORNEYS AT LAW

to be coupled to "already existing measurement" devices. The "deflecting" required by claim 1of the '138 patent is therefore completely absent from and unnecessary to the Colibri.This brings us to your allegation in point number 1 of your letter that the lamp could be

detached in the Colibri device. As just noted, however, the Colibri is not an optical cell and doesnot contain an optical cell that couples to an existing device such as a spectrophotometer.Indeed, if the light source of the Colibri were removed as you suggest, the Colibri would nolonger be functionaL Nor would it be a device "for the analysis or absorption measurement of asmall amount of liquid medium with the help oflight" as recited in claim 1.

You also argue in your point number 1 that det8ching the lamp from the Colibri wouldproduce "a housing with a light entry ::!nd a device to guide th.! light i!1 a sct angle to thereceiving position." Your contention misstates wh:::t is claimed. Specifically, chim 1 of the '138patent does not recite a "set angle to the recciving position." It instead recites "dellectitl(t thelight upward toward the receiving posit ion." Removing \h:: bmp from the Coiihri would notresult in the "deflecting" required by claim 1.

A claim chart, which we had requested in our previous letter, repeats the language of tile .claims verbatim and forces the exact language of the claims be compared to the device in .question. It thus avoids rewording of claim language as has been done in your letter.

Finally, as we noted in our previous letter, there are additional reasons that the Colibridoes not infringe the' 138 patent. For example, claim 1 ftu1herspecifies that "the longitudinalmiddle (M) extends befHIeen the light entry and the light exit o/the device." The Colibri couldnot possibly meet the above recitation because the Colibri has no light exit. It instead has adetector inside of the housing.

A showing of patent infringement requires that the accused device includes each andevery element claimed. You have not shown and we cannot envision how you could possiblyshow that the Colibri infringes any claim of the '138 patent. .

Very tmly yours,

MCB/escc: Dr. Niels Mommer, Twelmeier Mommer & Partner

C. Pin!

berthold detection systems v. hellma gmbh & co kg et. al

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