Intex Recreation Corp. v. Hasbro, Inc.

3 F. Supp. 2d 1102, 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17260, 1998 WL 181599
CourtDistrict Court, C.D. California
DecidedFebruary 20, 1998
DocketCV 96-0533 ABC (MCX)
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 3 F. Supp. 2d 1102 (Intex Recreation Corp. v. Hasbro, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, C.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Intex Recreation Corp. v. Hasbro, Inc., 3 F. Supp. 2d 1102, 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17260, 1998 WL 181599 (C.D. Cal. 1998).

Opinion

ORDER: Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Adjudication re:

(i) Invalidity of Claim 12 of U.S. Patent No. 5,575,738;

(ii) Invalidity of U.S. Design Patent No. D-366-085;

(iii) Non-Infringement of U.S. Design Patent No. D-366-085; and Plaintiffs Motion for Bifurcation

COLLINS, District Judge.

Plaintiffs Motions for Summary Adjudication re: (i) Invalidity of Claim 12 of U.S. Patent No. 5,575,738; (ii) Invalidity of U.S. Design Patent No. D-366-085; (iii) Non-Infringement of U.S. Design Patent No. D-366-085; and Plaintiffs Motion for Bifurcation came on regularly for hearing before this Court on January 12, 1998. After reviewing the materials submitted by the parties, argument of counsel, and the-case file, it is hereby ORDERED that Plaintiffs Motion is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART.

I. Factual and Procedural Background

This case arises from D efendant-Counter-elaimant Hasbro’s allegations of patent infringement against Plain tiff-Counterdefen-dant Intex. Specifically, Hasbro has alleged that Intex’s “Jump-O-Lene” product — an inflatable, trampoline-like toy — infringes upon Hasbro’s design and utility Patents, which are embodied in Hasbro’s “Playschool Moon-bouncer” product — another inflatable, trampoline-like toy.

On November 24, 1997, Plaintiff INTEX RECREATION CORPORATION (“Intex”) filed three motions: (1) Motion for Summary Adjudication re: Non-Infringement of Claim 10 of U.S. Patent No. 5,575,738; (2) Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Adjudication re: (i) Invalidity of Claim 12 of U.S. Patent. No. 5,575,738; (ii) Invalidity of U.S. Design Patent No. D-366-085; (iii) Non-Infringement of U.S. Design Patent No. D-366-085; and (3) Motion for Bifurcation. On December 15, 1997, Defendant HASBRO, INC. (“Hasbro”) filed its Opposition to each of Plaintiffs motions. Intex filed its Reply briefs on December 22,1997. 1

The instant Order addresses: (1) the validity of U.S. Patent No. D-366,085 (the “ ‘085 patent”) and whether the Jump-o-Lene infringes the design patent; and (2) the validity of claim 12 of U.S. Patent No. 5,575,738 (the “ ‘738 Patent”).

On June 12, 1995, Hasbro filed its applications for both the ‘738 patent and the ‘085 patent for the same device — an inflatable jumping toy for children comprised of an inflatable trampoline jumping base with an inflated circular sidewall. The same drawings were used for both the ‘085 design patent and the ‘738 utility patent. The ‘085 design patent issued in January 1996 and the ‘738 utility patent issued in November 1996.

II. Discussion

A. Summary Judgment Standard

It is the burden of the party who moves for summary judgment to establish that there is “no genuine issue of material fact, and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c); British Airways Bd. v. Boeing Co., 585 F.2d 946, 951 (9th Cir.1978). If the moving party has the burden of proof at trial (the plaintiff on a claim for relief, or the *1105 defendant on an affirmative defense), the moving party must make a showing sufficient for the court to hold that no reasonable trier of fact could find other than for the moving party. Calderone v. United States, 799 F.2d 254, 259 (6th Cir.1986) (quoting W. Schwarzer, Summary Judgment Under the Federal Rules; Defining Genuine Issues of Material Fact, 99 F.R.D. 465, 487-88 (1984)). This means that, if the moving party has the burden of proof at trial, that party must establish beyond peradventure all of the essential elements of the claim or defense to warrant judgment in that party’s favor. Fontenot v. Upjohn Co., 780 F.2d 1190, 1194 (5th Cir.1986). Furthermore, the court must view the evidence presented to establish these elements “through the prism of the substantive evidentiary burden.” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986).

If the opponent has the burden of proof at trial, then the moving party has no burden to negate the opponent’s claim. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). In other words, the moving party does not have the burden to produce any evidence showing the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Id. at 325, 106 S.Ct. 2548. “Instead, ... the burden on the moving party may be discharged by ‘showing’ — that is, pointing out to the district court — that there is an absence of evidence to support the nonmoving party’s case.” Id.

Once the moving party satisfies this initial burden, “an adverse party may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of the adverse party’s pleadings ... [T]he adverse party’s response ... must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e) (emphasis added). A “genume issue” of material fact exists only when the nonmoving party makes a sufficient showing to establish an essential element to that party’s case, and on which that party would bear the burden of proof at trial. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548. “The mere existence of a scintilla of evidence in support of the plaintiffs position will be insufficient; there must be evidence on which a reasonable jury could reasonably find for plaintiff.” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505. The evidence of the nonmovant is to be believed, and all justifiable inferences are to be drawn in his favor. Id. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505; Griffeth v. Utah Power & Light Co., 226 F.2d 661, 669 (9th Cir.1955).

The standard for summary judgment in a patent case is no different; summary judgment is appropriate where no genuine issue of material fact exists and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See Barmag Barmer Maschinenfabrik AG v. Murata Machinery, Ltd., 731 F.2d 831 (Fed.Cir.1984) (summary judgment on issue of validity); Townsend Eng’g Co. v. HiTec Co., 829 F.2d 1086, 1089 (Fed.Cir.1987) (summary judgment on issue of infringement).

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3 F. Supp. 2d 1102, 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17260, 1998 WL 181599, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/intex-recreation-corp-v-hasbro-inc-cacd-1998.