DCT

3:23-cv-05436

Anderson Power Products Inc v. BizLink Technology Inc

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I. Executive Summary and Procedural Information

  • Parties & Counsel:
  • Case Identification: 3:23-cv-05436, N.D. Cal., 10/23/2023
  • Venue Allegations: Venue is alleged to be proper for Defendant BizLink Technology, Inc. based on its residence and acts of infringement within the district. For the foreign defendants, BizLink Holding Inc. and BizLink International Corp., venue is asserted on the basis that they are foreign corporations that may be sued in any judicial district.
  • Core Dispute: Plaintiff alleges that Defendants’ electrical connector products infringe a patent related to an anti-arcing safety feature for electrical connectors.
  • Technical Context: The technology concerns high-power electrical connectors, where preventing electrical arcing during connection or disconnection under load is critical for user safety and extending the product's operational life.
  • Key Procedural History: The complaint alleges that Plaintiff provided Defendants with notice of the alleged infringement on three separate occasions prior to filing the lawsuit, which may form the basis for a claim of willful infringement.

Case Timeline

Date Event
2013-01-04 ’017 Patent Priority Date (Application Filing)
2014-08-19 ’017 Patent Issued
2023-08-02 Plaintiff allegedly notifies Defendants of infringement
2023-08-21 Plaintiff allegedly notifies Defendants of infringement
2023-09-05 Plaintiff allegedly notifies Defendants of infringement
2023-10-23 Complaint Filed

II. Technology and Patent(s)-in-Suit Analysis

U.S. Patent No. 8,808,017, “Electrical Connector with Anti-Arcing Feature,” issued August 19, 2014

The Invention Explained

  • Problem Addressed: The patent addresses the problem of electrical arcing that can occur when electrical connectors, particularly those carrying direct current (DC), are connected or disconnected while under load. This arcing can create a fire hazard, risk of burns to the user, and reduce the useful life of the connector. (’017 Patent, col. 1:11-30).
  • The Patented Solution: The invention proposes a connector pair where each connector (male and female) includes an insulating barrier that extends beyond its respective electrical contact. As the connectors are unmated, these barriers are configured to engage with each other, physically blocking the direct "through-air" path between the electrical contacts just as they separate. This mechanical blockage is designed to suppress the formation of an electrical arc without requiring a separate, costly switching device. (’017 Patent, Abstract; col. 3:20-40; Fig. 2B).
  • Technical Importance: The described solution provides a mechanical means of arc suppression integrated into the connector housing itself, aiming to enhance safety and durability without the cost and bulk of additional electronic switching circuits. (’017 Patent, col. 1:49-52).

Key Claims at a Glance

  • The complaint asserts infringement of at least independent claim 1. (Compl. ¶ 22).
  • The essential elements of independent claim 1 include:
    • An electrical connector pair comprising a first connector and a second connector.
    • Each connector has an insulating housing and an electrical contact.
    • The second electrical contact is configured to "laterally engage" the connecting surface of the first.
    • A "first insulating barrier" within the first connector that extends beyond and covers the leading end of the first electrical contact.
    • A "second insulating barrier" within the second connector that extends beyond the second electrical contact.
    • The second insulating barrier is configured to be in "close proximity" with the first barrier when the connectors are partially disconnected, "thereby blocking substantially all through-air arcing paths" between the contacts.
  • The complaint alleges infringement of "one or more claims," suggesting the right to assert dependent claims is reserved. (Compl. ¶ 22).

III. The Accused Instrumentality

  • Product Identification: The accused instrumentalities are Defendants' BSC-301 series receptacle and BC-330 series plug, collectively referred to as the "Infringing Product." (Compl. ¶ 6, 25).
  • Functionality and Market Context: The complaint alleges these products are electrical connectors sold as standalone components and for integration into new system designs. (Compl. ¶ 25). The complaint includes several photographs of the accused receptacle and plug. One such photograph displays the face of the BSC-301 receptacle, showing three electrical contacts set within an insulating housing. (Compl. p. 6). The complaint alleges these products are made, sold, offered for sale, and imported into the United States, including within the Northern District of California. (Compl. ¶¶ 6, 34-35).

IV. Analysis of Infringement Allegations

’017 Patent Infringement Allegations

| Claim Element (from Independent Claim 1) | Alleged Infringing Functionality - | Complaint Citation | Patent Citation |
| :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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| :--------------------- | :------------------ |
| a first connector having a first insulating housing; - | The accused receptacle (first connector) includes an insulating housing. The complaint provides a photograph of the accused receptacle’s housing. - | ¶30, p. 10 | col. 3:1-4 |
| a first electrical contact supported within the first insulating housing, the first electrical contact having a connecting surface that is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the insulating housing and terminates in a leading end of the first electrical contact; | The accused first connector includes a first electrical contact with a connecting surface parallel to the housing's axis. A cross-sectional image is provided to show this structure. - | ¶30, p. 11 | col. 3:5-9 |
| a second connector having a second insulating housing; - | The accused plug (second connector) includes an insulating housing. - | ¶30, p. 11 | col. 3:10-11 |
| a second electrical contact ... being configured to laterally engage with the connecting surface of the first electrical contact when the first connector is mated with the second connector; - | The second electrical contact of the accused plug has a connecting surface that engages with the first contact when mated. A cross-sectional image shows the contacts engaged. - | ¶30, p. 12 | col. 3:12-16 |
| a first insulating barrier within the first connector extending beyond and covering the leading end of the first electrical contact; - | The accused first connector includes an insulating barrier that extends beyond and covers the leading edge of its electrical contact, as shown in a provided cross-sectional image. - | ¶30, p. 12 | col. 3:17-20 |
| a second insulating barrier extending beyond the second electrical contact within the second connector, the second insulating barrier being configured so as to be in close proximity with the first insulating barrier when the first and second connectors are partially disconnected ... thereby blocking substantially all through-air arcing paths between the first and second electrical contacts. | The complaint alleges that the first and second insulating barriers of the accused product block arcing paths when partially disconnected. A cross-sectional image shows the two barriers in close proximity. | ¶30, p. 13 | col. 3:30-40 |

  • Identified Points of Contention:
    • Scope Questions: A central dispute may concern the scope of "blocking substantially all through-air arcing paths." The court will need to determine what degree of blockage is required to meet this limitation and whether the accused product's design achieves it. The question is whether the physical interaction of the barriers, as depicted in the complaint's photograph (Compl. p. 13), is sufficient to meet this functional requirement.
    • Technical Questions: A key technical question is one of timing and geometry. Does the complaint provide sufficient evidence that the accused barriers are "configured so as to be in close proximity" at the precise moment required by the claim—i.e., when the contacts are separated by a short distance but not fully disengaged? The infringement allegation hinges on this specific interaction during the dynamic process of disconnection.

V. Key Claim Terms for Construction

  • The Term: "blocking substantially all through-air arcing paths"

    • Context and Importance: This term is a functional limitation and a term of degree. Its construction will be critical, as it sets the evidentiary bar for proving infringement. A strict interpretation might require a near-complete physical seal between the barriers, while a more lenient one might be met by a configuration that significantly impedes but does not entirely eliminate potential arc paths.
    • Intrinsic Evidence for Interpretation:
      • Evidence for a Broader Interpretation: The patent's "SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION" states the invention "suppresses electrical arcing," which may suggest reduction rather than absolute prevention. (’017 Patent, col. 1:54-55).
      • Evidence for a Narrower Interpretation: The claim language itself uses the strong phrase "substantially all." The detailed description echoes this, stating the barriers block "substantially all through-air arcing paths." (’017 Patent, col. 3:35-37). Figure 2B, which illustrates this function, depicts the insulating barriers (200, 202) in physical contact, which could support an argument that a near-complete physical obstruction is required.

  • The Term: "close proximity"

    • Context and Importance: This term defines the required spatial relationship between the two insulating barriers during partial disconnection. Infringement will depend on how close the accused barriers must be to satisfy this limitation.
    • Intrinsic Evidence for Interpretation:
      • Evidence for a Broader Interpretation: The specification provides some flexibility, describing the barriers as "very near to or physically in contact with" each other. (’017 Patent, col. 3:33-35). The disjunctive "or" suggests that physical contact is not strictly necessary.
      • Evidence for a Narrower Interpretation: A party could argue that to achieve the function of "blocking substantially all" arc paths, the proximity must be so close as to be functionally equivalent to physical contact. The explicit mention of "physically in contact" in the specification and its depiction in Figure 2B could be used to argue that this is the intended meaning.

VI. Other Allegations

  • Indirect Infringement: The complaint alleges that Defendants contribute to and induce infringement by others who use or sell the accused products. (Compl. ¶¶ 23, 36). The factual basis appears to be the sale of the connector components, which are alleged to be designed for use in an infringing manner.
  • Willful Infringement: The complaint alleges willful infringement based on Defendants’ purported knowledge of the ’017 Patent. It specifically pleads that Plaintiff sent cease and desist letters to Defendants on August 2, August 21, and September 5, 2023, and that Defendants continued their allegedly infringing conduct despite this notice. (Compl. ¶¶ 31-32).

VII. Analyst’s Conclusion: Key Questions for the Case

  • A core issue will be one of definitional scope and evidentiary proof: Can the term "blocking substantially all through-air arcing paths" be met by the accused product's physical design? The case may turn on expert testimony and testing to determine if the interaction between the barriers, as shown in the complaint's cross-sectional photos, is sufficient to meet this functional limitation.
  • A second key question will be one of operative configuration: Does the accused connector pair achieve the claimed "close proximity" of its insulating barriers at the specific point in the disconnection sequence when the electrical contacts have just separated? Proving infringement will require demonstrating not just the presence of the barriers, but their precise geometric and temporal relationship during operation.