In re FMC Corp. Patent Litigation, 255.

• Decision Date: 22 November 1976
• Docket Number: No. 255.,255.
• Citation: In re FMC Corp. Patent Litigation, 422 F.Supp. 1163 (J.P.M.L. 1976)
• Parties: In re FMC CORPORATION PATENT LITIGATION.
• Court: Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation

422 F. Supp. 1163

In re FMC CORPORATION PATENT LITIGATION.

No. 255.

Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.

November 22, 1976.

Before JOHN MINOR WISDOM^*, Chairman, and EDWARD WEINFELD, EDWIN A. ROBSON, WILLIAM H. BECKER, JOSEPH S. LORD, III, STANLEY A. WEIGEL and ANDREW A. CAFFREY, Judges of the Panel.

OPINION AND ORDER

PER CURIAM.

This litigation consists of five actions pending in three different federal districts — two each in the District of Kansas and the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and one in the Northern District of Ohio. All the actions involve the validity and alleged infringement of a single patent, No. 3,875,607, the rights to which are held by FMC Corporation. The patent relates to the construction of a gutter brush used in street sweeping machines, and to wear-replacement parts for this brush. FMC, through its Industrial Brush Division, manufactures street sweepers, and brushes and replacement brush parts for these sweepers. One of its products, which is covered by the patent in question, is a plastic block designed to support wear-replacement bristles. That block, with bristles installed, is secured to the carrying plate of the machine for ultimate use. Jenkins Equipment Company is a manufacturer and seller of brushes and wear-replacement brush parts for street sweepers. It also produces a block, or bristle holder, which is sold with or without bristles to a number of customers. Those persons purchasing bare blocks install their own bristles for ultimate sale of completed brush units to the owners of sweepers. Two of Jenkins' customers are Kennedy Van Brush Co. and Zarnoth Brush Co.

In 1975, FMC brought separate patent infringement actions against Kennedy and Zarnoth in the District of Kansas and the Eastern District of Wisconsin, respectively. Each action alleges that the defendant infringed patent 3,875,607 by making, using and selling components for use in gutter brushes of street sweepers. FMC requests, inter alia, that the patent be adjudged valid and that both defendants be enjoined from using or contributing to the use of any invention covered by the patent. The claims in each action are virtually identical. Defendants have filed counterclaims challenging the validity of the patent.

FMC has since filed motions in these two actions to add Jenkins as a co-defendant; and has also filed two additional actions, one each in Kansas and Wisconsin, naming Jenkins and its sales company, Sweepster Inc., as defendants. The second action in Wisconsin also includes Zarnoth as a defendant. Motions are pending in the four actions to dismiss Jenkins and Sweepster for lack of venue.

Early in May of 1976, Jenkins filed the Ohio action against FMC attacking the validity of the patent. Jenkins claims that its bristle holder and bristles do not infringe the claims of the patent in view of the limitations necessarily placed upon it in light of prior art. Jenkins further alleges that FMC has attempted to use enforcement of the patent and refusal of licensing agreements in an unlawful attempt to monopolize trade in the sale of gutter brush replacement parts, in violation of the federal antitrust laws. Jenkins asks the court to (1) declare the patent void and invalid, (2) declare the patent not infringed by Jenkins or its customers, (3) declare the patent legally unenforceable because of misuse by the defendant, and (4) award treble damages.

These actions are before the Panel pursuant to two motions for transfer under 28 U.S.C. § 1407: the first filed by Jenkins to transfer one of the Wisconsin and Kansas actions to the Northern District of Ohio for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings with the action pending there, and the second filed by FMC for transfer of all five actions to the District of Kansas. All parties agree on the propriety of transferring this litigation to a single district for pretrial proceedings, though they disagree on the appropriate transferee district.

We find that these actions involve common questions of fact and that their transfer to the District of Kansas for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings under Section 1407 will best serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of the litigation.

All parties recognize, and we agree, that this litigation involves common factual questions concerning the validity of the patent held by FMC and that transfer is therefore necessary in order to eliminate duplication of discovery and prevent inconsistent pretrial rulings. See In re Joseph F. Smith Patent Litigation, 407 F.Supp. 1403, 1404 (Jud. Pan. Mult. Lit.1976); In re Triax Company Patent Litigation, 385 F.Supp. 590, 591 (Jud. Pan. Mult. Lit.1974). Moreover, since all the alleged infringers use the same product furnished by Jenkins,...