Cascades Computer Innovations, LLC v. Sony-Ericsson Mobile Comms. (USA) Inc., No. 11 C 7223, Slip Op. (N.D. Ill. Apr. 18, 2012) (Darrah, J.).

Judge Darrah denied defendant’s Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss in this patent case involving simplifying the process by which computer software deals with errors or exceptions.  Defendant agreed that plaintiff Cascades Computer Innovations (“Cascades”) did not sufficiently plead infringement of independent claim 15 of the patent in suit.  Cascades’ allegations that defendant used “the code in the manner required by claim 15” were sufficient.  It both complied with Form 18 (the form patent complaint accompanying the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure) and with the Twombly/Iqbal plausible pleading standard, which is satisfied by Form 18.

Regarding Cascades’ contributory infringement claims, defendant sought to hold Cascades to too high a standard.  Whether or not defendant’s accused products in fact have non-infringing use, at the pleading stage it was sufficient that Cascades pled that there were no infringing uses.  And Cascades’ allegations that defendant had knowledge of its patent in suit at least since filing of the original complaint was sufficient to show intent.