Filed: Jul. 31, 2013
Latest Update: Jul. 31, 2013
Summary: ORDER DAVID S. CAYER, Magistrate Judge. THIS MATTER is before the Court on Defendant's "Motion to Dismiss All Claims of Induced and Contributory Infringement" (document #24) filed August 19, 2013. This matter was referred to the undersigned Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 636(b)(1). Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure governs amendments to pleadings. Rule 15(a)(1) grants a party the right to "amend its pleading once as a matter of course," if done within twenty-one (21)
Summary: ORDER DAVID S. CAYER, Magistrate Judge. THIS MATTER is before the Court on Defendant's "Motion to Dismiss All Claims of Induced and Contributory Infringement" (document #24) filed August 19, 2013. This matter was referred to the undersigned Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 636(b)(1). Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure governs amendments to pleadings. Rule 15(a)(1) grants a party the right to "amend its pleading once as a matter of course," if done within twenty-one (21) ..
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ORDER
DAVID S. CAYER, Magistrate Judge.
THIS MATTER is before the Court on Defendant's "Motion to Dismiss All Claims of Induced and Contributory Infringement" (document #24) filed August 19, 2013. This matter was referred to the undersigned Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1).
Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure governs amendments to pleadings. Rule 15(a)(1) grants a party the right to "amend its pleading once as a matter of course," if done within twenty-one (21) days after serving the pleading, Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(1)(A), or, "if the pleading is one to which a responsive pleading is required," a party may amend once as a matter of course, provided that it does so within "21 days after service of a responsive pleading or 21 days after service of a motion under Rule 12(b), (e), or (f), whichever is earlier." Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(1)(B). The Rule further provides that "leave [to amend the pleadings] shall be freely given where justice so requires." Fed.R.Civ.P. 15(a).
Plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint (document #33) on September 5, 2013, approximately seventeen (17) days after receiving Defendant's Motion to Dismiss. Therefore, Plaintiffs may amend their pleading as a matter of course under Rule 15(a)(1)(B).
It is well settled that an amended pleading supersedes the original pleading, and that motions directed at superseded pleadings are to be denied as moot. Young v. City of Mount Ranier, 238 F.3d 567, 573 (4th Cir. 2001) (amended pleading renders original pleading of no effect); Turner v. Kight, 192 F.Supp.2d 391, 397 (D. Md. 2002) (denying as moot motion to dismiss original complaint on grounds that amended complaint superseded original complaint).
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Defendant's "Motion to Dismiss All Claims of Induced and Contributory Infringement" (document #24) is administratively DENIED as moot without prejudice.
2. The Clerk is directed to send copies of this Order to counsel for the parties, including but not limited to moving counsel; and to the Honorable Robert J. Conrad, Jr.,
SO ORDERED.
