Case 4:16-cv-01596 Document 1 Filed in TXSD on 06/07/16 Page 1 of 6

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
HOUSTON DIVISION
JPT Group, LLC
Plaintiff,
v.
Balenciaga,
Balenciaga America, Inc.
Defendants.

CASE NO: 4:16-cv-1596

JURY DEMANDED

PLAINTIFF JPT GROUPS ORIGINAL COMPLAINT

JPT Group, LLC (JPT), for its complaint of patent infringement against defendants
Balenciaga and Balenciaga America, Inc. (herein after collectively the Balenciaga Defendants
or Defendants), alleges as follows:
NATURE OF THE ACTION
1.
brand.

JPT owns the Bernardo brand (Bernardo). Bernardo is an iconic American fashion
Since 1946, the Bernardo brand has inspired the womens sandal market with its

sophisticated designs. Today Bernardos sandal designs are distinctive and well-known in the
footwear industry. Bernardos patented designs are the result of significant investments in the
Bernardo brand, innovative design work and product development.
2.

Balenciaga has copied the innovative designs of the Bernardo brand and engaged in

production and distribution of infringing products through retail and online sales outlets. Rather
than undertaking its own independent development, Balenciaga copied Bernardos innovative

Case 4:16-cv-01596 Document 1 Filed in TXSD on 06/07/16 Page 2 of 6

designs, violating JPTs valuable intellectual property rights embodied by Bernardo branded
products.
THE PARTIES
3.

Plaintiff JPT is a Delaware limited liability company having a principal place of business

in Bend, Oregon.
4.

On information and belief, Balenciaga is a corporation organized and existing by virtue

of the laws of France with its principal place of business at 15 Rue Cassette, Paris, France 75006.
5.

On information and belief, Balenciaga America, Inc. is a Delaware corporation having a

registered agent at 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 900 Dallas, Texas 75201.
JURISDICTION & VENUE
6.

This action arises under the patent statutes of the United States, 35 U.S.C. 271 et seq.

Accordingly, the Court has federal question jurisdiction over this matter under 28 U.S.C.
1331 and 1338(a).
7.

The court has personal jurisdiction over Balenciaga because it has conducted and does

conduct business within the State of Texas through multiple sales outlets located within the State
of Texas.
8.

The court has personal jurisdiction over Balenciaga America, Inc. because it is registered

to conduct, has conducted and does conduct, business within the State of Texas through multiple
sales outlets located within the State of Texas.
9.

Upon information and belief, the Balenciaga Defendants have existing business

relationships in Texas and have purposefully directed business activities to Texas consumers
through multiple sales channels.
10.

Upon information and belief, the Balenciaga Defendants have committed and continue to

commit acts of infringement in violation of 35 U.S.C. 271 and have and continue to
2

Case 4:16-cv-01596 Document 1 Filed in TXSD on 06/07/16 Page 3 of 6

purposefully place infringing products into the stream of commerce. Upon information and
belief, the Balenciaga Defendants, either directly or through distributors, franchisees and/or
others, ship, distribute, offer for sale, sell and market products in the United States, the State of
Texas and this District. Upon information and belief, the Balenciaga Defendants expect their
actions to have consequences within this District and derive substantial revenue from the sale of
infringing products in interstate commerce and this District.

The acts by the Balenciaga

Defendants have caused and continue to cause injury to JPT within this District.
11.

Venue is properly within this District in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 1391 (b) and (c)

and 1400 (b).

FACTS AND BACKGROUND
The JPT Patents
12.

On November 25, 2008, United States Patent No. D581,149

(the D149 Patent)

entitled Sandal was duly and legally issued. A copy of the D149 Patent is attached as Exhibit A
and incorporated herein.
13.

On September 23, 2008, United States Patent No. D577,182

(the D182 Patent)

entitled Sandal was duly and legally issued. A copy of the D182 Patent is attached as Exhibit B
and incorporated herein.
14.

The D149 Patent and D182 Patent (collectively the JPT Patents) relate to ornamental

sandal designs.
15.

JPT owns all right, title and interest in and to the JPT Patents by assignment dated

February 11, 2014.

16.

The ornamental designs of the JPT Patents are embodied in the successful MOJO sandal,

which is sold by JPT under its Bernardo brand.

Case 4:16-cv-01596 Document 1 Filed in TXSD on 06/07/16 Page 4 of 6

Balenciaga Infringement of the JPT Patents

USO0D581149S

17.

(12) United States Design Patent (10) Patent No.:

US D581,149 S

As the representative side-by-side comparisons shown below reveal, the Balenciaga

Comeau

(45) Date of Patent:

*9: Nov. 25, 2008

2/18/2015

(54)

SANDAL

Inventor:

D495,855 S

D496,147 S *
D530,898 S *

Dennis FI Comeall Santa Fe

D534,713 S

(73)

Assignee: Bernardo Footwear, LLC, Houston, TX

(**)

Tenn

13545939 S *

Balenciaga Giant Nickel Studded Thong Sandal, Blue

9/2004 Comeau .................... .. D2/917

9/2004 Comeau
10/2006
....... ..
1/2007

WeitZman ....... ..

D2/917
FREE
SHIPPING! PLUS, RETURNS WITH NM CARD
132/971

D2/929

6/2007 wellzman et 31' ~

132/971

D550,942 S

9/2007

Chol .............. ..

D2/969

D553,840 S

10/2007

WeitZman ....... ..

D2/971

Defendants misappropriated JPTs patented ornamental sandal designs in their studded thong
(Us)

14 Years

D572,456 S *

7/2008 Guers-Neyr'ud ............ .. D2/971

* cited by examiner

(21) Appl' NO': 29/318535

(

22

F1- d:

1e

Primary ExamineriStella M Reid

Assistant ExamineriKeli L Acker

DESIGNERS : BALENCIAGA : SHOES

(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiN. Elton Dry; J. M. (Mark)
Gllbreth

21 2008

ay
Related US. Application Data

sandal line of products (the Accused Products), including the model depicted below.
(63)

Continuation of application No. 29/297,780, ?led on

Nov. 16, 2007.

(51)
(52)

LOC (8) Cl.

.............. .. 02-04
US. Cl. ....................................... .. D2/973; D2/917

(57)

DESCRIPTION

CLAIM

(58)

Field of Classi?cation Search ................ .. D2/ 896,

FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of a sandal, embodying my new

The ornamental design for a sandal, as shoWn and described.

D2/897, 9164919, 925, 9294934, 943, 9694972,

132/977: 978; 36/7~3*7~5 11-5 32298481956:

D182

See application ?le for complete search history.

(56)

References Cited

10/1934

Morali

Balenciaga Studded Thong

FIG 3 1S a rear elevanon VleW thereof;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevation vieW thereof;
FIG. 5 is a left side elevation vieW thereof;

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

1,977,995 A *

design;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation vieW thereof;

D149

FIG. 6 is a top vieW thereof; and,

..................... .. 36/115

D129,706 S

9/1941

Grossman .................. .. D2/932

D147,308 S

8/1947

Steel ......................... .. D2/917

FIG. 7 is a bottom vieW thereof.

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Sheets

zoom

video

Balenciaga
Giant Nickel Studded Thong Sandal, Blue

18.

On information and belief, the Balenciaga DefendantsBalenciaga

have imported and continue to
Giant Nickel Studded Thong Sandal, Blue

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/Balenciaga-Giant-Nickel-Studded-Thong-Sandal-Blue-Shoes/prod168740467_cat41540748__/p.prod

import the Accused Products into the U.S., Texas and this District.
19.

On information and belief, the Balenciaga Defendants have displayed or caused to be

displayed and continue to display the Accused Products in sales outlets and distribution channels
throughout the U.S., Texas and this-District.
120.

CONFIDENTIAL

On information and belief, the Balenciaga Defendants sold significant numbers of the

Accused Products through sales outlets and distribution channels throughout the U.S., Texas and
this District.
21.

JPTs MOJO sandals include a notice that they are covered by the JPT Patents. On

information and belief, the Balenciaga Defendants had notice of the JPT Patents through at least
JPTs statutory product marking, the filing of this lawsuit and other related lawsuits, and/or their
monitoring and/or knowledge of patents relevant to their products.

1/4

Case 4:16-cv-01596 Document 1 Filed in TXSD on 06/07/16 Page 5 of 6

Patent Infringement
22.

JPT incorporates herein the allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1 through 21 above.

23.

Under 35 U.S.C. 271 et seq., the Balenciaga Defendants have infringed the JPT

Patents by the sale, offer for sale, and importation of the Accused Products or alternatively by
contributing or inducing others to sell, offer for sale, or import the Accused Products, literally
and/or under the doctrine of equivalents.
24.

Upon information and belief, the Balenciaga Defendants have applied the design of the

JPT Patents, or a colorable imitation thereof, to the Accused Products for the purpose of sale,
and/or selling or exposing for sale the Accused Products.
25.

On information and belief, the Balenciaga Defendants will continue to infringe the claims

of the JPT Patents unless enjoined by this Court.

26.

JPT has been damaged and will continue to be damaged by the Balenciaga Defendants

infringing acts.
27.

On information and belief, the Balenciaga Defendants were actually aware of the JPT

Patents and willfully committed acts of infringement.

JURY DEMAND
28.

JPT demands a trial by jury on all issues.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, JPT prays the Court to:
(a)

grant a permanent injunction against the Balenciaga Defendants

continued infringement;

(b)

award damages for the Balenciaga Defendants infringement of the JPT

Patents under 35 U.S.C. 284 or 289;

(c)

in the event JPT elects to collect damages under 35 U.S.C. 284, find that
the Balenciaga Defendants infringement has been willful and increase
such damages to three times the awarded amount;
5

Case 4:16-cv-01596 Document 1 Filed in TXSD on 06/07/16 Page 6 of 6

(d)

award prejudgment and post judgment interest;

(e)

find that this case is an exceptional case under 35 U.S.C. 285 and award
attorneys fees;

(f)

award costs; and

(g)

grant all other relief to which JPT is entitled.

Date: June 7, 2016

Respectfully submitted,
/s/ J. Reid Bumgarner
J. Reid Bumgarner
State Bar No. 24053118
S.D. Tex. ID No. 631284
Port & Bumgarner LLP
6750 West Loop S., Suite 748
Telephone: 713/678-0673
Email: rbumgarner@portbumgarner.com
ATTORNEY IN CHARGE FOR JPT GROUP,
LLC
/s/ Michael S. McCoy
Michael S. McCoy
State Bar No. 24013129
S.D. Tex. ID No. 24498
Amatong McCoy LLC
1235 N. Loop West, Suite 308
Houston, TX 77008
Telephone: 713-263-3010
Email: mmccoy@am-iplaw.com
ATTORNEY TO BE NOTICED FOR JPT
GROUP, LLC

Case 4:16-cv-01596 Document 1-1 Filed in TXSD on 06/07/16 Page 1 of 5

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Exhibit!A!
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USO0D581149S

(12) United States Design Patent (10) Patent No.:

Comeau
(54)

SANDAL

D495,855 S

Inventor:

D496,147 S *
D530,898 S *

Dennis FI Comeall Santa Fe

D534,713 S

(73)

Assignee: Bernardo Footwear, LLC, Houston, TX

Tenn

13545939 S *

(Us)

(**)

US D581,149 S

(45) Date of Patent:

14 Years

*9: Nov. 25, 2008

9/2004 Comeau .................... .. D2/917

9/2004 Comeau
10/2006
....... ..
1/2007

D2/917
132/971

WeitZman ....... ..

D2/929

6/2007 wellzman et 31' ~

132/971

D550,942 S

9/2007

Chol .............. ..

D2/969

D553,840 S

10/2007

WeitZman ....... ..

D2/971

D572,456 S *

7/2008 Guers-Neyr'ud ............ .. D2/971

* cited by examiner

(21) Appl' NO': 29/318535

(

22

F1- d:

1e

Primary ExamineriStella M Reid

Assistant ExamineriKeli L Acker

21 2008

ay
Related US. Application Data

(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiN. Elton Dry; J. M. (Mark)

Gllbreth

(63)

Continuation of application No. 29/297,780, ?led on

Nov. 16, 2007.

(57)

CLAIM

(51)
(52)

LOC (8) Cl.

.............. .. 02-04
US. Cl. ....................................... .. D2/973; D2/917

DESCRIPTION

(58)

Field of Classi?cation Search ................ .. D2/ 896,

FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of a sandal, embodying my new

The ornamental design for a sandal, as shoWn and described.

D2/897, 9164919, 925, 9294934, 943, 9694972,

132/977: 978; 36/7~3*7~5 11-5 32298481956:
See application ?le for complete search history.

(56)

References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
1,977,995 A *

10/1934

Morali

..................... .. 36/115

D129,706 S

9/1941

Grossman .................. .. D2/932

D147,308 S

8/1947

Steel ......................... .. D2/917

design;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation vieW thereof;
FIG 3 1S a rear elevanon VleW thereof;
FIG. 4 is a right side elevation vieW thereof;
FIG. 5 is a left side elevation vieW thereof;

FIG. 6 is a top vieW thereof; and,

FIG. 7 is a bottom vieW thereof.

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Sheets

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U S. Patent

Nov. 25, 2008

Sheet 1 of3

US D581,149 S

Case 4:16-cv-01596 Document 1-1 Filed in TXSD on 06/07/16 Page 4 of 5

US. Patent

Nov. 25, 2008

Sheet 2 of3

US D581,149 S

Case 4:16-cv-01596 Document 1-1 Filed in TXSD on 06/07/16 Page 5 of 5

US. Patent

Nov. 25, 2008

Sheet 3 of3

FIG. 7

US D581,149 S

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Exhibit!B!

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