MEMORANDUM

MARK A. KEARNEY District Judge.

Patent owners claiming a defendant infringes on some aspect of its patent must plausibly allege infringement of the challenged claims in the subject patent. But the owners cannot allege infringement beyond what is known or able to be discovered in good faith including information not available to it because it is solely within the defendant's control. We thus scrutinize an amended complaint in balancing the need to proceed with plausible allegations putting the defendant on notice of the specific challenge against our hesitancy to require patent owners to plead all possible but as yet unknown evidence necessary to prove their claim infringement at trial. After scrutiny, we today enter the accompanying Order denying the defendant's motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim when the patent owner plausibly alleged the accused conduct infringes on the challenged claims and when defendant's arguments focus on information arguably within its sole possession before expedited disclosures. The parties shall proceed into expedited disclosures and determine whether the patent owner's specific claims are accurate.

I. Alleged facts.

Prowire is a Texas limited liability company owning United States Patent No. 6,137,390 titled "Inductors with Minimized EMI Effect and the Method of Manufacturing the Same." ("'390 patent").1 Prowire alleges Apple, Inc. infringes on its '390 patent by "making, using, importing, selling, and offering for sale" products, such as the iPad 4 tablet computer which contain an inductor which incorporates Claim 1 and Claim 11 of the '390 patent.2

Prowire first alleges Apple's accused inductors infringe on Claim 1 of its '390 patent. Claim 1 of the '390 patent describes "[a]n inductor with enhanced inductance comprising: (a) a magnetic core; (b) an electrically conducting coil wound about said magnetic core; (c) a magnetic resin layer compression-molded to embed at least a portion of an outer periphery of said electrically conducting; (d) wherein said magnetic resin layer contains a magnetic powder dispersed in a polymer resin."3

Prowire alleges the accused inductors have enhanced inductance and "[o]n information and belief, the Accused Inductors exhibit an enhanced inductance through adjusting the thickness of the magnetic-resin layer."4 Prowire alleges the accused inductors infringe on part (a) of Claim 1 because they have a magnetic core with approximately 37% iron which is a magnetic substance.5 Prowire alleges the accused inductors infringe on part (b) of Claim 1 because they have "an electrically conducting coil wound about said magnetic core" and "on information and belief, the electrically conducting coil is made of copper."6 Prowire alleges the accused inductors infringe on part (c) of Claim 1 because the electrically conducting coil has embedded in part a "magnetic resin layer compression-molded" and "on information and belief, the resin layer is compression-molded."7 Prowire alleges the accused inductors infringe on part (d) of Claim 1 because their magnetic resin layer "contains a magnetic powder dispersed in a polymer resin" made up of "approximately 35% iron (Fe), a magnetic substance, and approximately 51% carbon (C), that is used for the polymer resin."8

Prowire also alleges Apple's inductors infringe on Claim 11 of the '390 patent because they have "enhanced inductance through adjusting the thickness of the magnetic-resin layer."9 Claim 11 describes "a method for making inductors with enhanced inductance comprising of steps of: (a) winding an electrically conducting coil about a magnetic core; (b) forming a magnetic resin layer by compression molding to embed at least a portion of an outer periphery of said electrically conducting coil; and, (c) wherein said magnetic resin matrix contains a magnetic powder dispersed in a polymer resin."10

Prowire alleges the accused inductors infringe on part (a) of Claim 11 because they have "an electrically conducting coil about a magnetic core" and contain "approximately 37% iron, a magnetic substance."11 Prowire alleges the accused inductors infringe on part (b) because they have an "electrically conducting coil would about said magnetic core" and "on information and belief" the coil is made of copper.12

Prowire alleges the accused inductors infringe on part (c) of Claim 11 because they "were made using a method that includes forming a magnetic resin layer by compression molding to embed at least a portion of an outer periphery of said electrically conducting coil" and "on information and belief, the resin layer is compression-molded."13

II. Analysis

Apple moves to dismiss Prowire's complaint for failure to state a claim because Prowire fails to allege how the accused inductors infringe on each element of at least one claim of the '390 patent. Apple also moves under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(3) alleging venue is improper in the District of Delaware because Prowire cannot show patent infringement.

A. Prowire states a plausible claim for infringement.

Before December 1, 2015, we reviewed the sufficiency of a patent infringement complaint against Form 18 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure which required five basic allegations including "a statement that defendant has been infringing the patent `by making, selling, and using [the device] embodying the patent."14 On December 1, 2015, the Supreme Court abrogated Fed. R. Civ. P. 84 and its Appendix of Forms including Form 18, and districts courts around the country, including this District, thereafter held "allegations of direct infringement are now subject to the pleading standards established by Twombly and Iqbal, requiring plaintiffs to demonstrate a `plausible claim for relief.'"15

The parties agree the Twombly and Iqbal plausibility standard now applies to Prowire's Complaint but they dispute the level of detail Prowire must allege to state a plausible claim.16 Apple argues under the Twombly and Iqbal standard we must determine whether Prowire plead facts alleging Apple's accused inductors infringe on each and every element/limitation of a claim in Prowire's '390 patent. In opposition, Prowire argues when we apply the plausibility standard we still are bound by the Federal Circuit's earlier rejection of requiring plaintiffs to allege how the defendant infringed on each and every element/limitation of the patent's claim.

District courts either disagree or elected not to address whether a plaintiff must make allegations the defendant infringed on every element/limitation of a patent's claim.17 It is not clear courts in this District have reached a consensus on the pleading standard for direct infringement claims post-Form 18 and most opinions have not directly addressed the issue.18 We find Judge Robinson's guidance in Dermafocus is most helpful suggesting we must address "whether [Prowire] has provided sufficient information to allow the court to determine plausibility and [] defendant to respond to the complaint. Absent specific guidance from the Federal Circuit directing the court to front-load the litigation process by requiring a detailed complaint in every instance, the court declines to do so."19

We accept Prowire's well-pleaded allegations as true and view its allegations in a light more favorable to Prowire.20 We disregard Prowire's allegations which are merely conclusions.21 Prowire's allegations, accepted as true, must "state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face."22 Prowire's allegations must allow us "to draw the reasonable inference that the [Apple] is liable for the misconduct alleged."23 While the plausibility standard is not "akin to a `probability requirement,'" there nevertheless must be more than a `sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully.'"24 "Where a complaint pleads facts that are `merely consistent with' a defendant's liability, it `stops short of the line between possibility and plausibility of entitlement to relief.'"25

Prowire alleges Apple's accused inductors meet each limitation of Claim 1 and Claim 11. Apple truly challenges the sufficiency of Prowire's allegations for two elements of the patent's claim arguing they are not plausible under Twombly and Iqbal. Apple specifically challenges the factual sufficiency of Prowire's allegation the accused inductors meet the "compression-mold[ed]" limitation and the "enhanced inductance" limitation for both Claim 1 and Claim 11. Because we find Prowire's allegations plausible to state a claim for direct infringement for each element of Claim 1 and Claim 11, we do not reach the question whether a plaintiff must plead plausible allegations the defendant infringes on every element/limitation of a patent's claim.

1. Prowire alleges the inductors are compression-molded.

Claim 1 of the '390 patent describes "[a]n inductor with enhanced inductance comprising: (a) a magnetic core; (b) an electrically conducting coil wound about said magnetic core; (c) a magnetic resin layer compression-molded to embed at least a portion of an outer periphery of said electrically conducting; (d) wherein said magnetic resin layer contains a magnetic powder dispersed in a polymer resin."26

Accepting Prowire's allegations as true, Apple's accused inductors have a magnetic core made of 37% iron and an electrically conducting wire, made out of copper winding around the core. Apple's accused inductors also have layer of polymer resin layer (51% carbon) dispersed with magnetic powder (35% iron). The accused inductors' polymer resin layer dispersed with magnetic power is "compression-molded" to embed part of the copper coil and "on information and belief, the resin layer is compression-molded."27

In support of its allegations, Prowire includes x-ray images of the accused inductors depicting the copper coil wound around the magnetic core and spectrum tests showing the magnetic core is made up of 37% iron and the magnetic resin layer is made up of 51% carbon and 35% iron. In support of the allegation the copper coil is partially embedded in the compression-molded magnetic resin layer, Prowire includes a cross-section photograph depicting the copper coil embedded inside the magnetic resin layer. Prowire states a claim for direct infringement because it makes plausible allegations Apple's accused inductors infringe on the compression-molded element of both Claim 1 and Claim 11 which raise its right to relief above a speculative level.

Apple's argument we should disregard Prowire's allegation the magnetic resin layer is compression-molded as a conclusion because it is made "on information and belief" is incorrect. District courts allow plaintiffs to make allegations of direct patent infringement on information and belief because it "is not prohibited by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and is appropriate when the information is particularly within the control of the defendant."28

Apple cites to Network Managing Sols., LLC v. AT&T Inc.'s in support of its argument Prowire's "on information and belief" allegations are insufficient, but we find its reliance unavailing.29 In Network Managing, plaintiff alleged (1) defendant infringed on at least one claim from each patent; (2) "on information and belief" defendant's standards "incorporate the fundamental technologies" covered by plaintiff's patents; and (3) "on information and belief" defendant adopted those standards into its technology.30 The court found plaintiff's second allegation insufficient because plaintiff owned the patent and defendant's standards are public so plaintiff's allegation "on information and belief" defendant's standards "incorporate the fundamental technologies" covered by plaintiff's patents "without more, is insufficient to plausibly allege that to practice the standard necessarily means that a defendant also practices the patent."31 The court found plaintiff's allegation "on information and belief" that defendant adopted the standards which infringe on plaintiff's patent sufficient because defendant kept its technology secret and does not "offer some public product that can be reversed engineered."32 Apple argues because the accused inductors are in consumer electronics, Prowire could have reversed engineer it and its "on information and belief" allegations are insufficient.

From the allegations and exhibits in the complaint, Prowire did purchase and reverse engineer an iPad 4 tablet computer. Prowire alleges the structure and materials of the accused inductors are things it can discern from viewing and testing an accused inductor. It is possible, however, Prowire cannot reverse engineer the accused inductor to determine if the magnetic resin layer is compression-molded. It is possible whether the magnetic resin layer is compression-molded is only something the manufacturer would know. At this stage, we cannot guess, and Apple does not argue, it is obvious when viewing the accused inductor whether the magnetic resin layer is compression-molded or molded by some other method. How Apple or its vendors mold and manufacture the magnetic resin layer is information in the control of Apple, and we do not disregard Prowire's allegation on "information and belief" as a conclusion.33

2. Prowire alleges the inductors have "enhanced induction."

Prowire alleges "on information and belief the accused inductors exhibit an enhanced inductance through adjusting the thickness of the magnetic-resin layer."34 The detailed description of the preferred embodiment section of the '390 patent states "[t]he extent of the inductance enhancement and reduction in magnetic leakage can be controlled by properly adjusting the thickness of the magnetic-resin layer and/or the magnetic permeability of the magnetic-resin."35

Accepting as true Prowire's allegations, the accused inductors have a magnetic core with a copper coil embedded in a compression-molded magnetic resin layer containing carbon and iron, meeting every element of Claim 1 "an inductor with enhanced inductance" and Claim 11 "a method for making inductors with enhanced inductance."36

Apples argues Prowire's allegation is insufficient because it "parrots" the language from the '390 patent describing how the claimed method achieves enhanced inductance and Prowire makes no supporting factual allegations. At this stage, it is arguably improbable Prowire could plead facts showing how Apple or its manufacturers adjusted the thickness of the magnetic-resin layer to achieve maximum enhanced inductance when creating the accused inductors.

Prowire's allegation "on information and belief the accused inductors exhibit an enhanced inductance through adjusting the thickness of the magnetic-resin layer" is plausible based on its other allegations and because it is the type of information in Apple's sole control and Prowire could not access it without discovery.

B. Venue is proper.

Apple argues venue is improper because Prowire does not plausibly allege infringement on any claims on the '390 patent. In its reply brief, Apple argued venue is improper because it does not have a regular and established place of business in Delaware. Prowire alleges Apple maintains one or more retail stores in this District where it sells consumer products containing the alleged infringing inductors.37 Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(3), it is Apple's burden to establish venue is improper.38

For patent infringement claims, venue is proper "in the judicial district where the defendant resides, or where the defendant has committed acts of infringement and has a regular and established place of business."39 Apple is incorporated in California so it does not reside in Delaware under § 1400(b).40

"The Federal Circuit has stated that the proper inquiry `is whether the corporate defendant does its business in that district through a permanent and continuous presence there. . . .'"41 Apple does not dispute Prowire's allegation it has a retail store in Delaware, it argues one retail store is not enough to establish a "permanent and continuous presence." We disagree; Apple's retail store is a permanent and continuous presence where it sells the alleged infringing technology to consumers on a daily basis. Apple does not meet its burden of showing it does not have "a regular and established place of business" in this District.

III. Conclusion

We deny Apple's motion to dismiss because Prowire's allegations of infringement are sufficiently plausible to state a claim Apple infringed on Claim 1 and Claim 11 of the '390 patent. We also deny Apple's motion to dismiss for improper venue because Apple does not meet its burden to show it does not have a regular and established place of business and did not commit acts of infringement in this District.