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Sterisil v. Proedge Dental Products et. al.
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1
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO
Civil Action Case Number 13-1210
STERISIL, INC., a Colorado
Corporation,
Plaintiff,
v.
PROEDGE DENTAL PRODUCTS, INC.,
a Colorado Corporation, and
MARK A. FRAMPTON, an individual,
Defendants.
COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
This is an action by Sterisil, Inc., (“Sterisil”) to recover damages arising from
patent infringement by defendants ProEdge Dental Products, Inc. (“ProEdge”) and Mark
A. Frampton, an individual (“Frampton”), and to enjoin future infringements, as well as
for loss profits arising from the infringement. In furtherance of this action, Sterisil hereby
complains and alleges as follows:
THE PARTIES
1. Sterisil, Inc., is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of
Colorado, having a registered address and place of business of 835 S Hwy 105, Unit D,
Palmer Lake, CO 80133.
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2. Plaintiff, Sterisil, is the current assignee of all right, title, and interest in the
patent-in-suit, U.S. Patent No. 6,991,736 (“the ‘736 Patent) issued January 31, 2006,
titled “Structure And Process For Continuously Treating Dental Unit Water”, including
the right to bring and maintain this action. A true and correct copy of the ‘736 patent is
attached hereto as Exhibit 1.
3. Based on information and belief, ProEdge Dental Products, Inc. (“ProEdge”)
is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Colorado, and has
its corporate headquarters at 7348 South Alton Way, Unit 9-D, Centennial, Colorado
80112, and has a sales office in this District.
4. Defendant ProEdge is a Colorado corporation that is actively engaged in
business in Colorado. ProEdge was formed in 2001 with the name “ConFirm Dental
Products, Inc.” (“ConFirm”) by a Margaret S. Cottrell of Colorado. After 2001, ConFirm
changed its name to its current business name of ProEdge Dental Products, Inc.
5. Defendant Frampton is the Chief Operating Officer of ProEdge, and is a
resident of Parker, Colorado. Since at least January 31, 2006, Frampton has been
responsible for ProEdge’s marketing of a product sold under the trademark “BluTab”,
which is designed and manufactured for practicing the method protected by the ‘736
patent.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
6. This Court has jurisdiction in this action under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1338,
2201, and 2202 as this action arises under the patent laws of the United States, 35 U.S.C.
3
§ 101 et seq., as this action presents a justiciable case or controversy over the
infringement of the ‘736 patent.
7. This cause of action for patent infringement arises under the Patent Laws of
the United States, Title 35 U.S.C. §§ 101 and 271. Venue is proper in this judicial district
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391 and 28 U.S.C. § 1400 because ProEdge has its principal
place of business in Colorado, and because Frampton is a resident of Colorado.
8. This Court also has specific jurisdiction over ProEdge and Frampton because
ProEdge and Frampton have engaged in acts of patent infringement in this district by
causing the manufacture and sole use of a product (sold under the trademark “BluTab”)
that is specially manufactured for practicing, and marketed directing other to practice, the
methods claimed in the ‘736 patent with the use of the BluTab product.
9. BluTab has no substantial non-infringing use, and thus BluTab is specially
manufactured and sold with directions specifically instructing end users to use the
BluTab product in a manner that infringes the methods claimed in the ‘736 patent.
THE TECHNOLOGY AT ISSUE
10. While carrying out dental procedures, dentists are routinely faced with the
need to rinse areas of a patient’s mouth water. The water used by the dentist during dental
procedures (“dental water”) is delivered from a container or reservoir that supplies water.
The dental water in the container may be sterilized, distilled or simply potable water. The
dental water is delivered from the container or reservoir through a water line that is
connected to a nozzle or other dental instrument that is operated by the dentist or the
dentist’s assistant. Despite the fact that the dental water being used is potable and may be
4
sterilized or distilled, bacteria and other microorganisms can colonize the lines and other
components of dental water system. Prior to the invention disclosed in the patent-in-suit,
dental water was often treated with chemicals that could kill the colonies of bacteria and
other microorganisms, but the harshness of the chemicals could also irritate a patient’s
gums, erode enamel, or diminish the effectiveness of adhesives and amalgams used in
dental procedures.
11. Mr. Brad Downs, a chemical engineer who had worked for the Army Corps of
Engineers in water treatment projects and in designing drinking water disinfection
products, learned of the problems associated with chemicals added to dental water. After
studying the problems faced by dentists and patients with the use of dental water, he
conceived of a method that permitted the use of the antibacterial properties of silver to
kill bacteria and other microorganisms in dental water. Mr. Downs’ invention would
avoid the problems associated with harsh chemicals, while killing bacteria and other
microorganisms in dental water and dental water lines. In 2001 Mr. Downs filed a patent
application for his invention. The application later matured into the ‘736 patent as well as
into patents in France, Germany, Great Britain, and Italy. In 2004 Seterisil’s progress in
the development of its patented system was recognized with the University of Colorado’s
Bard Center for Entrepreneurship’s “Best Bioscience Award”.
12. Silver is a metallic chemical element. The fact that silver is a “chemical
element” means that silver is a pure substance, and is made up of a single atom. Silver
can act as an anti-microbial agent in water if it is dissolved in the water, but under normal
conditions silver does not dissolve in water. Thus, prior to Mr. Downs’ invention, silver
was not considered to be very useful in treating dental water, particularly in its normal
5
metallic state. However, Mr. Downs observed that silver could be dissolved in water if
the silver atom is in an “ionic” or “ionized” form. Silver atoms include particles called
“electrons”. Silver is in an “ionic” or “ionized” form when at least one particle, called an
“electron” is removed from the silver atom. A “silver ion” is silver in an “ionic” or
“ionized” form (silver atoms that have had at least one electron removed).
13. Mr. Downs also observed that that silver ions can be produced and the silver
ions dissolved in water if the silver is provided as what is referred to as silver citrate.
Silver citrate releases ionic or ionized silver as it dissolves in water. Mr. Downs took
advantage of this fact in arriving at the method that is patented by the ‘736 patent. Thus,
the method disclosed and patented by the ‘736 patent uses silver citrate, or organic acid
compounds and/or salts, preferably silver-citric acid compounds and/or special “salts”, to
deliver ionic or ionized silver into dental water in the proper amounts to give the dental
water antibacterial and anti-microbial properties.
14. Mr. Downs’ invention is used in a water reservoir that can hold a tablet, or
other permeable element, that contains silver citrate. The table dissolves in water in the
reservoir, and the tablet thus delivers ionic or ionized silver to the water. The ionic or
ionized silver kills bacteria and other microorganisms in the dental water, while avoiding
the use of excessive amounts of chemicals that may harm to the patient, dental
procedures, or dental equipment.
15. The ‘736 patent was duly and legally issued by the United States Patent and
Trademark Office on January 31, 2006.
16. The ‘736 patent is presumed enforceable and, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 282 the
‘736 patent carries a presumption of validity.
6
17. Frampton learned of Sterisil’s patented method and products from Mr. Downs.
18. In May 2005, Frampton filed an application for a patent (the “Frampton
application”) with the U.S. Patent Office, claiming the invention of a specific
composition of silver citrate, and ProEdge, under the direction of Frampton, began selling
a silver citrate product used for delivering silver in ionic or ionized form to dental water
in December of 2005.
19. The U.S. Patent Office rejected the claims of the Frampton application as
describing an obvious composition. ProEdge and Frampton capitulated to the rejection
and abandoned the Frampton application.
20. In rejecting the claims of the Frampton application the U.S. Patent Office also
found that it would be obvious to add what is known as a “surfactant” to silver citrate.
21. ProEdge and Frampton did not object to, or rebut, the U.S. Patent Office’s
conclusion that it would be obvious to add a surfactant to silver citrate.
22. ProEdge and Frampton became aware of the ‘736 patent as early as February
21, 2006.
23. In February 2006, shortly after the ‘736 patent issued, Plaintiff notified
ProEdge and Frampton of the existence of the ‘736 patent, and provided ProEdge and
Frampton with a copy of the ‘736 patent. In response to this notice, ProEdge and
Frampton sent a letter through ProEdge’s attorney, Mr. James L. Brown of Swanson &
Bratschun, L.L.C. In the response letter, attorney Brown asserted that (1) they (ProEdge
and Frampton) were aware of the ‘736 patent, (2) they did not infringe the ‘736 patent
(without support for the conclusion), and (3) that Mr. Downs should not continue to let
others know of his position regarding infringement by defendants, otherwise “the
7
principals of Sterisil, Inc. may incur personal and corporate tort liability for interfering
with the contractual and business relationships of [ProEdge], if losses are incurred as a
result misrepresentations made to third parties.” See attached Exhibit 2, hereinafter “the
Brown letter”.
24. Despite being aware of Plaintiff’s assertions of infringement, defendants have
not commenced any legal action seeking a declaration of invalidity or of non-
infringement of the ‘736 patent.
25. At least since the issuance of the ‘736 patent, ProEdge and Frampton have
sold and continue to sell a product for delivering ionic or ionized silver into dental water
for the purpose of purifying the dental water and killing bacteria in dental water. The
product is sold under the trademark “BluTab”. The packaging of the BluTab product,
attached hereto as Exhibit 3, asserts that the active ingredient in the product is silver.
26. The BluTab product is designed to release silver in ionic or ionized form
when placed in water.
27. The Attached Exhibit 4 is a publication by ProEdge, asserting that ProEdge’s
BluTab releases silver in ionic form.
28. The BluTab product is used solely for delivering ionic or ionized silver into
dental water for the purpose of purifying the dental water and killing bacteria and other
microorganisms in dental water.
29. The BluTab product includes silver citrate.
30. When a tablet of BluTab is placed in a container with water, the silver citrate
in BluTab releases silver ions into the water in the container.
31. The BluTab product includes a colorant.
8
32. The BluTab product includes a flavorant and/or odorant.
33. The packaging of the BluTab product recites silver as being the active
ingredient of the BlueTab product, and when used in accordance to the instructions
provided with the BluTab product, BluTab delivers the silver in ionic or ionized form to
dental water.
34. The use of the BluTab product as directed by packaging instructions (Exhibit
3) causes the end user to mix silver citrate in tablet form with a source water to release
microbiocidally effective amounts of silver ions into source water, which provides
residual disinfection properties in the source water, creating dental water which the user
then delivers though a dental unit water line to a dental instrument.
35. The use of the BluTab product as directed by packaging instructions results in
the infringement of the process patented by the ‘736 patent.
36. There is no substantial noninfringing use for the BluTab.
37. BluTab is not a staple article or commodity.
38. BluTab and Plaintiff’s products are the only commercially available silver
citrate based products, for addition to dental water, marketed for the purpose of killing
bacteria and other microorganisms in dental water lines in the United States.
FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Induced Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,991,736 Under 35 U.S.C. § 271(b) By
ProEdge)
39. Sterisil repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation contained in the above
paragraphs as if fully set forth herein.
9
40. ProEdge has in the past and are presently inducing infringement of the ‘736
Patent by making, using, selling, and/or offering to sell in the United States the BluTab
product, which is especially made for infringing patented invention of the ‘736 Patent.
41. ProEdge induces infringement by selling BluTab tables with instructions that
direct purchasers to place tablets containing silver citrate in dental water in a manner that
infringes one or more claims of the ‘736 patent.
42. ProEdge specifically intend for their customers and/or end users of the BluTab
product to directly infringe one or more of the claims of the ‘736 patent.
43. ProEdge continued to sell the BluTab product with instructions that would
cause the end user or consumer of the BluTab productto place tablets containing silver
citrate in dental water, which results in the release of ionic or ionized silver, in a manner
that directly infringes one or more of the claims of the ‘736 patent.
44. ProEdge has the BluTab product specially manufactured to its specifications
in a manner that results in the BluTab product having no substantial non-infringing uses.
45. Beyond selling and/or offering to sell directly to third parties such as dentists,
dental offices, dental clinics, or other purchasers in this District, such as via the Internet
(as shown in Exhibit 5) for direct sales from this District, ProEdge also sells to
intermediaries as sales representatives, wholesalers and distributors who are located in
this District and sells directly and/or indirectly to customers in this District in a manner
that infringes the ‘736 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271.
46. ProEdge, upon information and belief, has also attended trade shows and
made sales demonstrations within this District in order to sell BluTab, so that purchasers
will infringe the ‘736 patent when used. Such sales, offers for sale and end use by
10
customers of ProEdge cause direct infringement, as well as cause infringement by
inducing infringement of the ‘736 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(b).
47. ProEdge’s infringement of the ’736 patent has caused and will continue to
cause damage to Sterisil in an amount to be determined at trial.
48. ProEdge’s infringement of the ’736 patent has caused and will continue to
cause irreparable injury to Sterisil as to which there exists no adequate remedy at law,
and such infringement will continue unless enjoined by this Court.
49. ProEdge’s infringement of the ’736 patent is or has been willful in that
ProEdge continued to sell the BluTab product with knowledge of the ‘736 patent and
despite an objectively high likelihood that its actions caused direct infringement of the
‘736 patent.
SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Contributory Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,991,736 Under 35 U.S.C. § 271(c)
By ProEdge)
50. Sterisil repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation contained in the above
paragraphs as if fully set forth herein.
51. ProEdge with full knowledge of the ‘736 patent, in the past has been and
presently continues to contribute to the infringement of the ‘736 Patent by making, using,
selling, and/or offering to sell in and to the United States the BluTab product, which is
made specifically for infringing patented invention of the ‘736 Patent, and by selling the
BluTab product with instructions for use such that the end user will infringe the claims of
the ‘736 patent, and such direct infringement by the end user has occurred and continues
to occur throughout the United States.
11
52. The BluTab product is specially made for use in the water treatment method
claimed in the ‘736 patent.
53. ProEdge specifically intended that its customers and/or end users of the
BluTab product directly infringe one or more of the claims of the ‘736 patent.
54. ProEdge continued to sell the BluTab product with instructions that would
cause the end user or consumer of the BluTab product to place tablets containing silver
citrate in dental water, which results in the release of ionic or ionized silver, in a manner
that directly infringes one or more of the claims of the ‘736 patent.
55. ProEdge has the BluTab product specially manufactured to its specifications,
and sold by ProEdge in a manner that results in the BluTab product having no substantial
non-infringing uses.
56. Beyond selling and/or offering to sell directly to third parties such as dentists,
dental offices, dental clinics, or other purchasers in this District, such as via the internet
as shown in Exhibit 5, ProEdge also sells to intermediaries as sales representatives,
wholesalers and distributors who are located in this District and sell to directly and/or
indirectly to customers in this District in a manner infringing the ‘736 Patent, in violation
of 35 U.S.C. § 271.
57. ProEdge, upon information and belief, has also been present at trade shows
and made sales demonstrations within this District. Such manufacture, sale, offer for sale
and use by ProEdge causes direct infringement, as well as infringes by contributory
infringement of the ‘736 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(c).
58. ProEdge’s infringement of the ’736 patent has caused and will continue to
cause damage to Sterisil in an amount to be determined at trial.
12
59. ProEdge’s infringement of the ’736 patent has caused and will continue to
cause irreparable injury to Sterisil as to which there exists no adequate remedy at law,
and the infringement will continue unless enjoined by this Court.
60. ProEdge’s infringement of the ’736 patent is or has been willful in that it
continued to sell the BluTab product with knowledge of the ‘736 patent and despite an
objectively high likelihood that its actions caused infringement of the ‘736 patent.
THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Induced Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,991,736 Under 35 U.S.C. § 271(b) By
ProEdge and Frampton Acting Jointly)
61. Sterisil repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation contained in the above
paragraphs as if fully set forth herein.
62. Patent infringement is a strict liability tort.
63. Frampton, through ProEdge, arranged for the formulation and special
manufacture of the BluTab product and, packaging and made the decision for ProEdge to
sell and continue to offer for sale the BleTab product.
64. ProEdge and Frampton have in the past and are presently induced
infringement of the ‘736 Patent by making, using, selling, and/or offering to sell in the
United States the BluTab product, which is especially made for infringing patented
invention of the ‘736 Patent.
65. ProEdge and Frampton induce infringement by selling BluTab tables with
instructions that direct purchasers to place tablets containing silver citrate in dental water,
which results in the release of ionic or ionized silver, in a manner that infringes the steps
of one or more of the claims of the ‘736 patent.
13
66. ProEdge and Frampton specifically intend for their customers and/or end users
of the BluTab product to directly infringe one or more of the claims of the ‘736 patent.
67. ProEdge and Frampton and Frampton continued to sell the BluTab product
with instructions that would cause the end user or consumer of the BluTab product to
directly infringe one or more of the claims of the ‘736 patent.
68. ProEdge and Frampton have the BluTab product specially manufactured to
their specifications and sold by them in a manner that results in the BluTab product
having no substantial non-infringing uses.
69. Beyond selling and/or offering to sell directly to third parties such as dentists,
dental offices, dental clinics, or other purchasers in this District, such as via the internet
as shown in Exhibit 5 for direct sales from this District, ProEdge and Frampton also sell
to intermediaries as sales representatives, wholesalers and distributors who are located in
this District and sell to directly and/or indirectly to customers in this District in a manner
infringing the ‘736 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271.
70. ProEdge and Frampton, upon information and belief, have also attended trade
shows and made sales demonstrations within this District. Such sale, offers for sale and
use by ProEdge and Frampton causes direct infringement of the ‘736 patent by end users
and induces infringement of the ‘736 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271(b).
71. ProEdge and Frampton’s infringement of the ’736 patent has caused and will
continue to cause damage to Sterisil in an amount to be determined at trial.
72. ProEdge and Frampton’s infringement of the ’736 patent has caused and will
continue to cause irreparable injury to Sterisil as to which there exists no adequate
remedy at law, and will continue unless enjoined by this Court.
14
73. ProEdge and Frampton’s infringement of the ’736 patent is or has been willful
in that defendants continued to sell the BluTab product with knowledge of the ‘736 patnet
and despite an objectively high likelihood that their actions caused direct infringement of
the ‘736 patent.
FOURTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Contributory Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,991,736 Under 35 U.S.C. § 271(c)
By ProEdge and Frampton Acting Jointly)
74. Sterisil repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation contained in the above
paragraphs as if fully set forth herein.
75. Patent infringement is a strict liability tort.
76. Frampton, through ProEdge, arranged for the formulation and special
manufacture of the BluTab product and packaging, and made the decision for ProEdge to
sell and continue to offer for sale the BleTab product.
77. ProEdge and Frampton, with full knowledge of the ‘736 patent, in the past
have been and presently continue to contribute to the infringement of the ‘736 Patent by
making, using, selling, and/or offering to sell in and to the United States the BluTab
product, which is made specifically for infringing patented invention of the ‘736 Patent,
and by selling the BluTab product with instructions for use such that the end user will
infringe the claims of the ‘736 patent, and such direct infringement by the end user has
occurred and continues to occur throughout the United States.
78. The BluTab product is specially made for use in the water treatment method
claimed in the ‘736 patent.
15
79. ProEdge and Frampton specifically intend for their customers and/or end users
of the BluTab product to place tablets containing silver citrate in dental water, which
results in the release of ionic or ionized silver, in a manner that infringes one or more of
the claims of the ‘736 patent.
80. ProEdge and Frampton and Frampton continued to sell the BluTab product
with instructions that would cause the end user or consumer of the BluTab product to
directly infringe one or more of the claims of the ‘736 patent.
81. ProEdge and Frampton have the BluTab product specially manufactured to
their specifications and sold by them in a manner that results in the BluTab product
having no substantial non-infringing uses.
82. Beyond selling and/or offering to sell directly to third parties such as dentists,
dental offices, dental clinics, or other purchasers in this District, such as via the internet
as shown in Exhibit 5 for direct sales into this District, ProEdge and Frampton also sell to
intermediaries as sales representatives, wholesalers and distributors who are located in
this District and sell to directly and/or indirectly to customers in this District in a manner
infringing the ‘736 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. § 271.
83. ProEdge and Frampton, upon information and belief, have also attended trade
shows and made sales and offers for sale through demonstrations within this District.
Such sales, offers for sale and directed use causes direct infringement, as well as
infringement by contributory infringement of the ‘736 Patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. §
271(c).
84. ProEdge and Frampton’s infringement of the ’736 patent has caused and will
continue to cause damage to Sterisil in an amount to be determined at trial.
16
85. ProEdge and Frampton’s infringement of the ’736 patent has caused and will
continue to cause irreparable injury to Sterisil as to which there exists no adequate
remedy at law. ProEdge and Frampton’s infringement will continue unless enjoined by
this Court.
86. ProEdge and Frampton’s infringement of the ’736 patent is or has been willful
in that defendants continued to sell the BluTab product with knowledge of the ‘736
patenet and despite an objectively high likelihood that their actions constituted
infringement of the ‘736 patent.
WHEREFORE, Sterisil demands judgment against ProEdge and Frampton as
follows:
A. Permanently enjoining ProEdge and/or Frampton, and its officers, agents,
servants, employees, attorneys, and all those persons in privity or in active concert or
participation with them, from further manufacture, importation, sale, offer for sale, and/or
use of a
product which infringes, contributorily infringes, or induces infringement of the
‘736 Patent.
B. Permanently enjoining ProEdge and/or Frampton, and its officers, agents,
servants, employees, attorneys, and all those persons in privity or in active concert or
participation with them, from further acts of infringement of the ‘736 Patent.
C. Ordering an accounting of damages.
17
D. Awarding damages in an amount to be determined at trial, but adequate to compensate
Sterisil for ProEdge and/or Frampton’s infringement, contributory infringement, and
inducement of infringement of the ‘736 Patent.
E. Increasing the damages up to three times the amount found or assessed for
ProEdge and/or Frampton’s willful acts of infringement.
F. Awarding prejudgment interest and costs.
G. Finding this to be an exceptional case and awarding reasonable attorneys’ fees to
Sterisil.
H. Such other and further relief as this Court deems necessary and appropriate.
Respectfully submitted,
DATED this 7th
day of May, 2013.
RAMON L. PIZARRO
s/Ramon Pizarro
Ramon L. Pizarro
3515 South Tamarac Drive, STE 200
Denver, CO 80237
Phone: (303) 785-2819 (Direct)
Phone: (303) 779-9551 (Main)
Fax: (303) 689-9627
Email: ramon@ramonpizarro.com
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
STERISIL, INC.
DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
Plaintiff demands trial by jury on all claims and issues so triable.
Address of Plaintiff:
835 S Hwy 105, Unit D
Palmer Lake, CO 80133
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TABLE OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1:
United States Patent No. 6,991,736
Exhibit 2:
Letter of James L. Brown, Esq., dated Feb. 26, 2006
Exhibit 3:
Packaging of ProEdge BluTab Product
Exhibit 4:
ProEdge Publication Re BluTab Product
Exhibit 5:
ProEdge Internet Marketing of ProEdge BluTab Product
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