F.S. Korea Indus. v. E.L.F. Beauty - Complaint
F.S. Korea Indus. v. E.L.F. Beauty - Complaint
F.S. Korea Indus. v. E.L.F. Beauty - Complaint
Plaintiff F.S. Korea Industries, Inc. (“F.S. Korea”), for its Complaint against e.l.f. Beauty,
1. This is an action for design patent infringement under the Patent Laws of the United
States, 35 U.S.C. § 101 et seq. This action arises by reason of Defendant’s copying of F.S. Korea’s
2. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§ 1331.
Parties
4. F.S. Korea is a corporation of the Republic of South Korea with its principal place
5. e.l.f., which does business as e.l.f. Cosmetics, is a Delaware Corporation with its
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
related products. F.S. Korea was founded in 1988 and sells its products worldwide, with facilities
in South Korea, the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, China and Belgium.
7. F.S. Korea is the number one supplier of cosmetic brushes in the world. As a result
of its innovative product designs, F.S. Korea has been awarded nearly 300 patents, trademarks and
copyrights worldwide, more than 100 of which are directed to cosmetic brush designs.
8. Among F.S. Korea’s many products are cosmetic brushes that include two models
9. One of F.S. Korea’s popular brush designs is the brush pictured below, named the
Ping-Pong Brush:
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10. In order to protect the distinctive ornamental design of the Ping-Pong Brush, F.S.
Korea applied for and on June 29, 2015 was issued a design patent granted by the USPTO, U.S.
Des. D766,587, entitled Cosmetic Brush Head. A copy of the D’587 patent is attached as
Exhibit 1.
11. Another of F.S. Korea’s popular brush designs is the brush pictured below, named
12. In order to protect the distinctive ornamental design of the Swirl Brush, F.S. Korea
applied for and on July 11, 2017 was issued a design patent granted by the United States Patent
and Trademark Office, U.S. Des. D791,489, entitled Cosmetic Brush. A copy of the D’489 patent
is attached as Exhibit 2.
13. Defendant manufactures, imports, promotes and sells in the United States the
following brushes that infringe the D’587 and D’489 patents (the “Infringing Cosmetic Brushes”).
Defendant’s Brushes That Infringe the D’587 Patent Defendant’s Brush That
Infringes the D’489 Patent
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14. On information and belief, Defendant’s marketing and sale of its copycat brushes
has directly caused F.S. Korea to lose valuable business. In particular, in 2015, a major retailer of
beauty products ceased purchases of F.S. Korea’s Ping-Pong Brush after Defendant began selling
its infringing Precision Multi Blender Massage Brush to a retailer of general discount goods,
among others, at a much lower price than F.S. Korea’s customer had been selling the Ping-Pong
Brush.
15. On July 12, 2017, F.S. Korea through a letter from its counsel attached as Exhibit 3,
notified Defendant of its infringement of the D’587 patent and demanded that Defendant cease
selling the infringing Precision Multi Blender Massage Brush. Defendant ignored the letter from
F.S. Korea’s counsel and has continued its infringement of the D’587 patent, as well as infringing
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COUNT I
35 U.S.C. § 271(a)
16. F.S. Korea realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations of Paragraphs 1
through 15 above.
17. Defendant has infringed the D’587 Patent by making, importing, using, offering to
sell, or selling in the United States, including in the State of Delaware and within this District,
products infringing the ornamental design covered by the D’587 Patent in violation of 35 U.S.C.
§ 271. Specifically, Defendant sells two brushes that infringe the D’587 Patent: one is named the
“Precision Multi Blender Massager” and the other is named the “Sculpting Face Brush.”
18. The table below illustrates Defendant’s Precision Multi Blender Massager’s
infringement of the D’587 patent by comparing representative figures from the patent with
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Figure 1
Figure 4
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Figure 5
19. The table below illustrates Defendant’s Sculpting Face Brush’s infringement of the
D’587 patent by comparing representative figures from the patent with exemplary images of that
product:
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Figure 1
Figure 4
Figure 5
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20. The designs of Defendant’s Infringing Precision Multi Blender Massager and
Sculpting Face Brushes are the same or substantially the same as the design of the D’587 Patent.
The designs are so similar as to be nearly identical such that an ordinary observer, giving such
attention as a purchaser usually gives, would be so deceived by the substantial similarity between
the designs so as to be induced to purchase Defendant’s Precision Multi Blender Massager and/or
Sculpting Face Brushes believing them to be substantially the same as the design protected by the
D’587 Patent.
21. Defendant’s acts of infringement of the D’587 Patent were undertaken without
authority, permission or license from F.S. Korea. Defendant’s infringing activities violate 35
U.S.C. § 271.
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23. F.S. Korea is entitled to an accounting of all revenue and profits derived by
Defendant from the unlawful conduct alleged herein, including without limitation, Defendant’s
24. F.S. Korea is entitled to a permanent injunction preventing Defendant from further
25. As set forth above, Defendant’s infringement of the D’587 patent has been willful,
COUNT II
35 U.S.C. § 271(a)
26. F.S. Korea realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations of Paragraphs 1
through 25 above.
27. Defendant has infringed the D’489 Patent by making, importing, using, offering to
sell, or selling in the United States, including in the State of Delaware and within this District,
products infringing the ornamental design covered by the D’489 Patent in violation of 35 U.S.C.
§ 271. Specifically, Defendant sells a brush named the “Swirl Foundation Brush” that infringes
28. The table below illustrates Defendant’s infringement by comparing figures from
the D’489 patent with exemplary images of the infringing jump starter:
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Comparison of the D’489 Patent with the Infringing Swirl Foundation Brush
Figure 1
Figure 3
Figure 6
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29. The design of Defendant’s Infringing Swirl Foundation Brush is the same or
substantially the same as the design of the D’489 Patent. The designs are so similar as to be nearly
identical such that an ordinary observer, giving such attention as a purchaser usually gives, would
Defendant’s Infringing Swirl Foundation Brushes believing them to be substantially the same as
30. Defendant’s acts of infringement of the D’489 Patent were undertaken without
authority, permission or license from F.S. Korea. Defendant’s infringing activities violate 35
U.S.C. § 271.
32. F.S. Korea is entitled to an accounting of all revenue and profits derived by
Defendant from the unlawful conduct alleged herein, including without limitation, Defendant’s
33. F.S. Korea is entitled to a permanent injunction preventing Defendant from further
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1. A judgment that Defendant has infringed the D’587 and D’489 patents.
2. A permanent injunction enjoining Defendant, and all persons acting in concert with
3. A judgment and order requiring Defendant to pay F.S. Korea all damages caused
by Defendant’s infringement of the D’587 and D’489 patents (but in no event less than a reasonable
royalty) pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 284, or the total profit made by Defendant from its infringement
damages or profits for any continuing post-verdict infringement up until entry of the final
5. A judgment and order requiring Defendant to pay F.S. Korea increased damages up
6. A judgment and order requiring Defendant to pay F.S. Korea pre-judgment and post
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8. That F.S. Korea have such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and
proper.
HEYMAN ENERIO
GATTUSO & HIRZEL LLP
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EXHIBIT 1
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USOOD766587S
US D766,587 S
Page 2
i.
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is .
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is 3
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e
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c. s
™-3
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EXHIBIT 2
Case 1:19-cv-01276-UNA Document 1-2 Filed 07/09/19 Page 2 of 9 PageID #: 26
USOOD791489S
(12) United
Hwang
States Design Patent (10) Patent No.: US D791,489 S
(45) Date of Patent: Jul. 11, 2017
(54) COSMETIC BRUSH D757,441 S * 5/2016 Hwang .......................... D4f127
2008.0035172 A1 2/2008 Mindrum ................. A46B 5,02
134f6
(71) Applicant: F.S. KOREA INDUSTRIES INC., 2012/0272982 A1* 11/2012 Telwar ..................... A46B 3.10
Seoul (KR) 132/200
(22) Filed: Jun. 22, 2016 Image of spiraled brush head contained in article entitled, “Anisa
International to launch new developments,” on-line). Published on
(30) Foreign Application Priority Data the Internet Jun. 28, 2011; retrieved from the Internet Jan. 23, 2017.
URL: <http://www.premiumbeautynews.com/en/Anisa-Interna
Jan. 22, 2016 (KR) ........................ 30-2016-OOO3253 tional-to-launch-new,3815. (2 pages).*
(51) LOC (10) Cl. ............................................... 04-02 (Continued)
(52) U.S. Cl. Primary Examiner — Karen E. Eldridge Powers
USPC ........................................................... D4/127
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — East West Law Group;
(58) Field of Classification Search Heedong Chae
USPC ........ D4/114, 116, 121, 127, 128, 131, 132,
D4/133, 134, 135, 138, 199: D28/7, 63; (57) CLAM
D32A49 I claim the ornamental design for a cosmetic brush, as shown
CPC ........... A46B 3/02: A46B 5/021: A46B 9/028; and described.
A46B 9/021: A46B 2200/1046; A46D DESCRIPTION
1/OO
See application file for complete search history. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of cosmetic brush;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view thereof;
(56) References Cited FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view thereof;
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view thereof;
FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view thereof;
2,637,868 A * 5, 1953 Hamilton ................ A47L 25/08 FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof; and,
15, 105 FIG. 7 a bottom plan view thereof.
4,974,981 A * 12/1990 Bennett .................. A45D 33.00 The broken line showing a brush head and a ferrule is
401 123 included for the purpose of illustrating use and environment
8,495,786 B2 * 7/2013 Naftal ...................... A46B 3.00 and forms no part of the claimed design.
15,176.6
D706,542 S * 6/2014 Lavigne ......................... D4f135 1 Claim, 6 Drawing Sheets
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US D791,489 S
Page 2
C.
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EXHIBIT 3
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RE: Infringement of U.S. Patent No. D766,587 for “Cosmetic Brush Head”
Our Matter No.: 7055LIT04
We have been advised that e.l.f. Cosmetics, Inc. (“e.l.f.”), is making, using,
selling or offering for sale in the United States and/or importing into the United States
brushes that infringe FSK’s U.S. Patent No. D766,587 ('587 Patent). See Attachment A.
Infringing products include, by way of example and not limitation, e.l.f. Beautifully
Precise Multi Blender Massager. See Attachment B.
We have purchased and reviewed the infringing product, and they infringe the
claim of the '587 Patent.
Therefore, FSK demands that e.l.f. immediately cease and desist from any and all
sale, offering for sale, distribution, importation, manufacture, advertisement, promotion,
and display of any infringing products. FSK also demands that e.l.f. immediately:
We look forward to your affirmative response by July 28, 2017, indicating that
e.l.f. has fully complied with these demands.
This letter is sent without prejudice to any of FSK’s rights and remedies which are
expressly reserved. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
1
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Sincerely,
Enc.
2
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Attachment
A
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Case 1:19-cv-01276-UNA Document 1-3 Filed 07/09/19 Page 8 of 15 PageID #: 41
Case 1:19-cv-01276-UNA Document 1-3 Filed 07/09/19 Page 9 of 15 PageID #: 42
Case 1:19-cv-01276-UNA Document 1-3 Filed 07/09/19 Page 10 of 15 PageID #: 43
Case 1:19-cv-01276-UNA Document 1-3 Filed 07/09/19 Page 11 of 15 PageID #: 44
Case 1:19-cv-01276-UNA Document 1-3 Filed 07/09/19 Page 12 of 15 PageID #: 45
Case 1:19-cv-01276-UNA Document 1-3 Filed 07/09/19 Page 13 of 15 PageID #: 46
Case 1:19-cv-01276-UNA Document 1-3 Filed 07/09/19 Page 14 of 15 PageID #: 47
Attachment
B
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Case 1:19-cv-01276-UNA Document 1-4 Filed 07/09/19 Page 1 of 1 PageID #: 49
JS 44 (Rev. 06/17) CIVIL COVER SHEET
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replace nor supplement the filing and service of pleadings or other papers as required by law, except as
provided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for the
purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM.)
(b) County of Residence of First Listed Plaintiff Republic of Korea County of Residence of First Listed Defendant California
(EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) (IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE: IN LAND CONDEMNATION CASES, USE THE LOCATION OF
THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED.
(c) Attorneys (Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Number) Attorneys (If Known)
Dominick T. Gattuso
Heyman Enerio Gattuso & Hirzel
300 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801 (302) 472-7300
II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an “X” in One Box Only) III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an “X” in One Box for Plaintiff
(For Diversity Cases Only) and One Box for Defendant)
’ 1 U.S. Government ’ 3 Federal Question PTF DEF PTF DEF
Plaintiff (U.S. Government Not a Party) Citizen of This State ’ 1 ’ 1 Incorporated or Principal Place ’ 4 ’ 4
of Business In This State
’ 2 U.S. Government ’ 4 Diversity Citizen of Another State ’ 2 ’ 2 Incorporated and Principal Place ’ 5 ’ 5
Defendant (Indicate Citizenship of Parties in Item III) of Business In Another State