IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN HERMAN MILLER, INC.

, a Michigan corporation Plaintiff, v. THE KINGS MARK, LLC, a California limited liability corporation, CUBE KING, INC. d/b/a CUBEKING, a California corporation, OFFICE FURNITURE DISCOUNTERS, INC. d/b/a/ OFFICE FURNITURE OUTLET, a California corporation, MARK STEINBERG, an individual, FRANK RAWSON, an individual, MICHAEL SHIMEK, an individual, and DEREK DELLAFOSSE, an individual d/b/a REUSEACUBE, Defendants. Case No. 1:13-cv-00411 JURY TRIAL DEMANDED

COMPLAINT Herman Miller, Inc. ( Herman Miller or Plaintiff), for its Complaint against The Kings Mark, LLC (Kings Mark), Cube King, Inc. d/b/a CubeKing (CubeKing), Office Furniture Discounters, Inc. d/b/a Office Furniture Outlet (OFO), Mark Steinberg, Frank Rawson, Michael Shimek, and Derek Dellafosse d/b/a Reuseacube (collectively Defendants), states and alleges as follows: NATURE OF THE ACTION 1. This is an action for violation of the laws of the United States relating to

federal trade dress infringement, counterfeiting, unfair competition, and trademark

dilution in violation of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114(1), 1125(a), and 1125(c); violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, Mich. Com. Laws 445.903; unfair competition under Michigan common law; patent infringement in violation of 35 U.S.C. 271, and civil conspiracy under Michigan common law. 2. This action results from Defendants unauthorized manufacture,

importation, distribution, offer for sale, sale, and/or use of chairs, including the Cloud Chair, that infringe Herman Millers federally registered trade dress for the shape and appearance of Herman Millers famous AERON chair and Herman Millers patents. THE PARTIES 3. Plaintiff, Herman Miller, is a Michigan corporation with its principal place of

business at 855 East Main Avenue, Zeeland, Michigan 49464. Herman Miller is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of products for the home, office, healthcare, and educational environments. 4. On information and belief, Defendant Kings Mark is a California

corporation with a business address at 1401 Village Way, Santa Ana, California 92705. 5. On May 16, 2012, Defendant Kings Mark filed intent-to-use U.S.

Trademark Application Serial No. 85/626,952 for the mark Cloud Chair and design. The correspondence information provided in the application filed by Kings Mark included the following phone and fax numbers and email addresses: 714-953-5464 (phone), 714-953-5414 (fax), mike@cubeking.com, and frank@cubeking.com. See Exhibit A attached hereto. 6. On information and belief, Defendant Frank Rawson is a California

resident and is Controller of Kings Mark. Id.

7.

On information and belief, Defendant Michael Shimek is a California

resident and currently is or has been a Managing Member of Defendant Kings Mark. 8. On information and belief, Defendant CubeKing is a California corporation

with a business address at 1401 Village Way, Santa Ana, California 92705, the same address as Kings Mark. On further information and belief, CubeKing can be reached via telephone at (714) 953-5464, the same telephone number listed in Kings Marks trademark application for Cloud Chair and design. See Exhibit B attached hereto. 9. On information and belief, Mark Steinberg is the owner of Defendant

CubeKing and is a resident of California. On further information and belief, Defendant Steinberg can be reached at the email address mark@cubeking.com. 10. On information and belief, Defendant Frank Rawson also is an employee,

representative, or agent of CubeKing and can be reached at the email address frank@cubeking.com, an email address listed in Kings Marks trademark application for Cloud Chair and design. 11. On information and belief, Defendant Michael Shimek also is an

employee, representative or agent of CubeKing and can be reached at the email address mike@cubeking.com, an email address listed in Kings Marks trademark application for Cloud Chair and design. 12. On information and belief, Defendants Kings Mark and CubeKing have

common owners, employees, representatives, and/or agents, including Defendants Mark Steinberg, Frank Rawson, and Michael Shimek. 13. On information and belief, Defendant OFO is a California corporation with

a business address at 421 N. Cota Street, Corona, California 92880.

14.

On information and belief, Defendant Derek Dellafosse does or has done

business as Reuseacube and resides at 1702 Carnegie Court, Creedmoor, North Carolina 27522. 15. On further information and belief, Defendant Dellafosse is currently

employed by or is otherwise a sales representative or agent for Kings Mark and/or CubeKing. 16. On information and belief, one or more of the Defendants, acting

individually and/or in active concert, manufacture, import, promote, advertise, distribute, use, offer for sale, and/or sell office chairs, including the Cloud Chair, in direct competition with Herman Miller. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 17. This Court has jurisdiction over Herman Millers federal claims pursuant to

15 U.S.C. 1121 and 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1338. This Court also has diversity jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1332 with the amount in controversy exceeding $75,000.00, excluding interest and costs. This Court further has supplemental jurisdiction over Herman Millers state and common law claims under 28 U.S.C. 1338 and 1367 because those claims are so related to Herman Millers federal claims that they form part of the same case or controversy. 18. Venue is proper in the Western District of Michigan under 28 U.S.C.

1391 and 1400(b) because the claims arose in this District, a substantial part of the events giving rise to the claims occurred in this District, and Defendants are doing business in this District. Plaintiff Herman Miller has been and continues to be harmed in this District.

19.

All Defendants are properly joined in this action under 35 U.S.C. 299

because Defendants infringing acts arise out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions relating to the making, using, importing into the United States, offering for sale, and/or selling of the infringing Cloud Chair. Defendants further are properly joined under 35 U.S.C. 299 because questions of fact common to all Defendants exist. 20. This Court has personal jurisdiction over the Defendants because

Defendants are engaging in various activities within this State and this District, including advertising, promoting, offering for sale, and selling infringing Cloud Chairs in this State and in this District. In addition, Defendant OFO is offering for sale and selling Cloud Chairs on its website (www.ofousa.com), which is accessible by individuals and entities in this State and this District. The consequences of Defendants actions produce effects in and directly impact this forum. HERMAN MILLERS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS The AERON Chair Trade Dress 21. For over eighty years, Herman Miller has been a leader in the extremely

competitive business of designing, manufacturing, and selling high-quality furniture, including office furniture. 22. In 1991, Herman Miller recognized that most office chairs had few, if any,

distinguishing characteristics. Consequently, Herman Miller engaged world-renowned designers to create a new office chair that was distinctively different from those of Herman Millers competitors.

23.

For nearly three years, Herman Millers designers worked to create a

unique and distinctive office chair like no other in the marketplace. The resulting design was the AERON chair. 24. Below is a representation of the shape and appearance of Herman Millers

AERON chair (hereafter the "AERON Trade Dress"):

25.

The AERON Trade Dress is unique, distinctive, and non-functional. The

AERON Trade Dress is not necessary for others to compete with Herman Miller, is not essential to the use or purpose of the AERON chair, and does not affect the cost or quality of the AERON chair. 26. The distinctiveness of the AERON Trade Dress identifies and

distinguishes the AERON chair from office chairs offered by other companies. 27. Since long before the acts of the Defendants complained of herein, and

since at least as early as October, 1994, Herman Miller has continuously manufactured, distributed, advertised, promoted, offered for sale, and sold the AERON chair in 6

interstate commerce under Herman Millers registered AERON and Herman Miller trademarks. 28. Herman Miller and its authorized dealers and retailers have expended

substantial time, effort, and money extensively advertising, promoting, and marketing Herman Millers AERON chair throughout the United States, with particular emphasis on the AERON Trade Dress. Since its introduction into the marketplace, Herman Millers AERON chair has gained worldwide recognition and acclaim, and has been featured in, for example, television commercials for well-known goods and services, feature films, and major network television programs. Herman Millers AERON chair has received extensive, unsolicited media coverage and is featured in permanent museum collections throughout the world. 29. As a result of the extensive and continuous advertising, promotion, and

sales of the AERON chair and through favorable industry acceptance and recognition, the consuming public and the trade have come to recognize and identify the AERON Trade Dress with Herman Miller. 30. As a further result of the extensive and continuous advertising, promotion,

and sales of Herman Millers AERON chair and through favorable industry acceptance and recognition, the AERON Trade Dress became, prior to the acts of the Defendants complained of herein, distinctive and famous in the office furniture industry under Section 43(c) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(c). 31. Herman Miller is the owner of United States Trademark Registration No.

2,754,826 covering the AERON Trade Dress, which registration is legally and validly registered on the Principal Register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office

(USPTO). See Exhibit C attached hereto. A printout from the USPTOs Trademark Status and Document Retrieval database evidencing the status of the AERON Trade Dress registration is attached hereto at Exhibit D. 32. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1065, Herman Millers federal registration is

incontestable and conclusive evidence of the validity of its AERON Trade Dress as well as Herman Millers ownership and exclusive right to use the AERON Trade Dress in connection with the goods identified in the registration certificate. 33. Herman Miller has recorded Trademark Registration No. 2,754,826

covering the AERON Trade Dress with the United States Customs and Border Patrol, which is authorized to exclude, detain, and/or seize imported products that infringe Herman Millers AERON Trade Dress registration. 34. Accordingly, Herman Millers AERON Trade Dress is an asset of

incalculable value as an identifier of Herman Miller, its high quality products and services, and its goodwill. The Herman Miller Patents 35. Herman Millers design and development of the AERON chair also yielded

several different innovations, which were patented by Herman Miller. 36. Herman Miller is the owner of United States Patent No. 6,386,634 (the

634 patent) entitled Office Chair, which duly and legally issued on May 14, 2002. A copy of the 37. 643 patent is attached hereto at Exhibit E. Herman Miller is the owner of United States Patent No. 6,059,368 (the

368 patent) entitled Office Chair, which duly and legally issued on May 9, 2000. A copy of the 368 patent is attached hereto at Exhibit F.

38.

Herman Miller is the owner of United States Patent No. 6,035,901 (the

901 patent) entitled Woven Fabric Membrane for a Seating Chair, which duly and legally issued on March 14, 2000. A copy of the Exhibit G. 39. Herman Miller is the owner of United States Patent No. 5,772,282 (the 901 patent is attached hereto at

282 patent) entitled Tilt Control Mechanism for a Chair, which duly and legally issued on June 30, 1998. A copy of the 282 patent is attached hereto at Exhibit H.

These four patents will be referred to collectively as the Herman Miller Patents herein. DEFENDANTS ACTS OF TRADE DRESS INFRINGEMENT, COUNTERFEITING, UNFAIR COMPETITION, DILUTION, AND PATENT INFRINGEMENT 40. On information and belief, one or more of the Defendants individually

and/or in concert have manufactured, imported, distributed, used, offered for sale and/or sold the Cloud Chair in this District and in interstate commerce within the United States, without authorization from Herman Miller. Defendants actions complained of herein have violated and continue to violate numerous intellectual property rights of Herman Miller in the AERON chair as set forth below. 41. Defendant CubeKing, according to its website, is an industry leader in

office furniture liquidation and a leading source for new and used, brand name, high quality office furniture, including cubicles, workstations, tables, desks, and chairs. See Exhibit I attached hereto. 42. CubeKing has sold used Herman Miller AERON chairs since at least as

early as 2007. See Exhibit J attached hereto. As a result, on information and belief, CubeKing and its officers, employees, representatives, and agents, including one or more of Defendants Mark Steinberg, Frank Rawson, and Michael Shimek, knew about 9

and became familiar with the AERON chair and the famous AERON Trade Dress long before the acts complained of herein. 43. As set forth in paragraph 5, Defendant Kings Mark filed an intent-to-use

application to register the Cloud Chair mark and design on May 16, 2012. On January 1, 2013, the USPTO issued a Notice of Allowance for the application, and on February 6, 2013, Kings Mark filed a Statement of Use. See Exhibits K and L attached hereto. Kings Marks Statement of Use asserts that the Cloud Chair and design mark was first used on November 1, 2012 and first used in commerce on November 20, 2012. See Exhibit L. 44. The specimens of use filed by Kings Mark with the above-referenced

Statement of Use are photographs of the box used to ship the Cloud Chair. The box shown in one of specimens includes a drawing of the Cloud Chair, which is substantially identical to Herman Millers registered AERON Trade Dress. This specimen of use is shown below:

45.

On information and belief, since at least as early as November 2012, and

notwithstanding Herman Millers prior rights in and to the AERON Trade Dress, Kings Mark or one or more of the Defendants have manufactured, imported, distributed, used, 10

advertised, promoted, offered for sale, and/or sold in Michigan and elsewhere in interstate commerce, the Cloud Chair, which incorporates a shape and appearance which is nearly identical to that of the AERON Trade Dress. A picture of the actual Cloud Chair is shown below on the left next to the registered AERON Trade Dress on the right.

Infringing Cloud Chair 46.

Registered AERON Chair Trade Dress

On information and belief, Defendant OFO has sold the Cloud Chair since

at least as early as February 9, 2013 and is currently selling the Cloud Chair at its store in Corona, California and on its website located at www.ofousa.com. See Exhibit M attached hereto. 47. Defendant OFO is selling the Cloud chair for $549.00, well below the list

price of a new Herman Miller Aeron chair. Id.

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48.

On further information and belief, Defendant Kings Mark and/or

Defendant CubeKing have supplied and continue to supply OFO with the Cloud Chairs that OFO is selling at its Corona, California store and on its website at www.ofousa.com. 49. On information and belief, one or more of the Defendants also created a

Facebook page to advertise and promote the Cloud Chair on November 9, 2012. See Exhibit N attached hereto. 50. On information and belief, one or more of the Defendants have compared

and continue to compare the Cloud Chair to Herman Millers AERON chair when advertising and promoting the Cloud Chair. On further information and belief, one or more of the Defendants are offering the Cloud Chair for sale for nearly half the price of the famous AERON chair. See Exhibit O attached hereto. 51. On information and belief, Defendant Dellafosse directed Anne Flanagan,

a relative of or individual associated with Defendant Dellafosse, to register the domain name mycloudchair.com, which she registered on January 14, 2013. See Exhibit P attached hereto. 52. On further information and belief, Defendant Dellafosse requested

registration of the domain name in order to develop a website to further advertise, promote, offer for sale, and sell the Cloud Chair. 53. Herman Miller has never authorized, licensed, or otherwise permitted any

of the Defendants to use the AERON Trade Dress, any other confusingly similar or dilutive variations thereof, or the inventions claimed in the Herman Miller Patents.

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54.

Defendants misappropriation of the AERON Trade Dress is an intentional

attempt to pass off Defendants inferior products as Herman Millers high quality AERON chairs by deceiving the relevant public, including consumers. 55. Defendants also have competed unfairly with Herman Miller. For

example, knowing Herman Millers long-standing and excellent reputation for producing high quality AERON chairs, Defendants unfair competition, deceptive business practices, and unauthorized use of the AERON Trade Dress is an effort to trade on the valuable goodwill and reputation associated with the AERON Trade Dress, and is likely to cause confusion with regard to the affiliation or connection between Herman Miller and Defendants, and with regard to the source, sponsorship, or approval of the Cloud Chair, all to Herman Millers harm and Defendants unjust enrichment. 56. On information and belief, Herman Miller has lost sales of the AERON

chair and corresponding profits, which it would have made but for Defendants infringing and unauthorized sales of the Cloud Chair, all to the detriment of Herman Miller. 57. On information and belief, at the time Defendants first engaged in the acts

complained of herein, Defendants had actual or constructive knowledge of the Herman Miller Patents, the AERON chair, the AERON Trade Dress, and the fame, valuable reputation, and goodwill associated with the AERON Trade Dress. As a result, one or more of the Defendants actions have been and continue to be willful and intentional acts intending to trade on the reputation and goodwill of Herman Miller and the AERON Trade Dress, to confuse, deceive, and mislead consumers, and to dilute the fame and distinctiveness of the AERON Trade Dress.

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COUNT I Federal Trade Dress Infringement 58. As the first ground for relief, Herman Miller hereby alleges infringement of

the federally registered AERON Trade Dress in violation of Section 32(1) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114(1). Herman Miller repeats and realleges the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 57, as though fully set forth herein. 59. Defendants unauthorized use in commerce of the AERON Trade Dress in

connection with the Cloud Chair, as described herein, is likely to cause confusion, mistake or deception as to the source, sponsorship or approval of Defendants products by Herman Miller. The consuming public and the trade are likely to believe that Defendants Cloud Chair originates with Herman Miller, is licensed, sponsored or approved by Herman Miller, or is in some way connected with or related to Herman Miller, in violation of 32(1) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114(1), as amended. 60. Defendants unauthorized and infringing use of the AERON Trade Dress,

as alleged herein, constitutes intentional and willful infringement of Herman Millers rights in and to its federally registered AERON Trade Dress in Violation of 32(1) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114(1), as amended. 61. Said infringing acts have occurred in interstate commerce and have

caused, and unless enjoined by this Court will continue to cause, serious and irreparable injury to Herman Miller, including in this District, for which Herman Miller has no adequate remedy at law. 62. Defendants above actions were, and are, willful, fraudulent, and

malicious. Plaintiff, therefore, is entitled to an award of exemplary, enhanced, or

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punitive damages in an amount appropriate to punish Defendants and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct. COUNT II Federal Trademark Counterfeiting 63. As the second ground for relief, Herman Miller hereby alleges trademark

counterfeiting in violation of Section 32(1) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114(1). Herman Miller repeats and realleges the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 62, as though fully set forth herein. 64. Defendants unauthorized and infringing acts complained of herein

constitute the reproduction, counterfeit and copy and/or use of a reproduction, counterfeit or copy in commerce of Herman Millers AERON Trade Dress in violation of 32(1) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114(1). 65. Defendants acts of counterfeiting constitute intentional and willful

infringement of Herman Millers rights in and to its federally registered AERON Trade Dress in violation of 32(1) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114(1), as amended. 66. Said acts of counterfeiting have occurred in interstate commerce and have

caused, and unless enjoined by this Court will continue to cause, serious and irreparable injury to Herman Miller, including in this District, for which Herman Miller has no adequate remedy at law. 67. Defendants above actions were, and are, willful, fraudulent, and

malicious. Plaintiff, therefore, is entitled to an award of exemplary, enhanced, or punitive damages in an amount appropriate to punish Defendants and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct.

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COUNT III Federal Unfair Competition 68. As the third ground for relief, Herman Miller hereby alleges federal unfair

competition in violation of Section 43(a)(1) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(a)(1). Herman Miller repeats and realleges the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 67, as though fully set forth herein. 69. Defendants unauthorized use in commerce of the AERON Trade Dress in

connection with the Cloud Chair, as described herein, is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive as to the affiliation, connection, or association of Defendants with Herman Miller, or as to the origin, sponsorship, or approval of Defendants goods by Herman Miller in violation of Section 43(a)(1) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(a)(1). 70. Defendants unauthorized and infringing use of the AERON Trade Dress,

as alleged herein, constitutes intentional and willful infringement of Herman Millers rights in and to its AERON Trade Dress in Violation of 43(a) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(a), as amended. 71. Defendants unauthorized and infringing use of the AERON Trade Dress,

as alleged herein, constitutes intentional and willful unfair competition in violation of Herman Millers rights. 72. Said infringing acts have occurred in interstate commerce and have

caused, and unless enjoined by this Court will continue to cause, serious and irreparable injury to Herman Miller, including in this District, for which Herman Miller has no adequate remedy at law.

16

73.

Defendants above actions were, and are, willful, fraudulent, and

malicious. Plaintiff, therefore, is entitled to an award of exemplary, enhanced, or punitive damages in an amount appropriate to punish Defendants and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct. COUNT IV Federal Dilution 74. As the fourth ground for relief, Herman Miller hereby alleges federal

dilution in violation of Section 43(c) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(c). Herman Miller repeats and realleges the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 73, as though fully set forth herein. 75. Prior to the acts of Defendants complained of herein, the AERON Trade

Dress, became distinctive and famous within the meaning of Section 43(c) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(c). 76. Defendants commercial sale and use of the Cloud Chair in commerce, as

alleged herein, has caused and continues to cause dilution of the distinctive quality of the AERON Trade Dress in violation of Section 43(c) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(c). 77. Defendants unauthorized use of the AERON Trade Dress, as alleged

herein, constitutes intentional and willful dilution of the AERON Trade Dress. 78. Said acts of dilution have occurred in interstate commerce and have

caused, and unless enjoined by this Court will continue to cause, serious and irreparable injury to Herman Miller, including in this District, for which Herman Miller has no adequate remedy at law.

17

79.

Defendants above actions were, and are, willful, fraudulent, and

malicious. Plaintiff, therefore, is entitled to an award of exemplary, enhanced, or punitive damages in an amount appropriate to punish Defendants and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct. COUNT V Violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act 80. As the fifth ground for relief, Herman Miller hereby alleges violation of the

Michigan Consumer Protection Act, Mich. Comp. Laws 445.903. Herman Miller repeats and realleges the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 79, as though fully set forth herein. 81. Defendants unauthorized use in commerce of the AERON Trade Dress in

connection with the Cloud Chair, as described herein, is causing a probability of confusion or misunderstanding as to the source, sponsorship, approval, and/or confusion of Defendants Cloud Chairs. The consuming public is likely to believe that Defendants Cloud Chair originates with Herman Miller, is licensed, sponsored or approved by Herman Miller, or in some way connected with or related to Herman Miller. 82. Defendants unauthorized use of the AERON Trade Dress, as alleged

herein, has caused and is likely to cause in the future, a public injury and a detrimental effect on consumers by causing confusion as to the origin or sponsorship of Defendants inferior Cloud Chair, all in violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, Mich. Comp. Laws 445.903. 83. Said unauthorized acts have occurred in Michigan, have caused, and

unless enjoined by this Court, will continue to cause, serious and irreparable damage, in

18

an amount yet to be determined, for which Herman Miller has no adequate remedy at law. 84. Defendants above actions were, and are, willful, fraudulent, and

malicious. Plaintiff, therefore, is entitled to an award of exemplary, enhanced, or punitive damages in an amount appropriate to punish Defendants and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct. COUNT VI Violation of Michigan Common Law of Unfair Competition 85. As for the sixth ground for relief, Herman Miller hereby alleges unfair

competition in violation of Michigan common law. Herman Miller repeats and realleges the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 84, as though fully set forth herein. 86. As a result of its actions complained of herein, Defendants have caused

confusion, or are likely to cause confusion or mistake, or to deceive members of the consuming public and the trade. Defendants have misappropriated valuable property rights of Herman Miller and are trading on the goodwill symbolized by the AERON Trade Dress. Said acts, which are willful, constitute unfair competition in violation of the common law of the State of Michigan. 87. Said unauthorized acts have occurred in Michigan, have caused, and

unless restrained by this Court, will continue to cause serious and irreparable damage in an amount yet to be determined, for which Herman Miller has no adequate remedy at law. 88. Defendants above actions were, and are, willful, fraudulent, and

malicious. Plaintiff, therefore, is entitled to an award of exemplary, enhanced, or

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punitive damages in an amount appropriate to punish Defendants and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct. COUNT VII Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,386,634 89. As the seventh ground for relief, Herman Miller hereby alleges patent

infringement in violation of the laws of the United States relating to patents, Title 35 of the United States Code. Herman Miller repeats and realleges the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 88, as though fully set forth herein 90. Herman Miller is the owner of the 634 patent, which duly and legally

issued on May 14, 2002. 91. claims of the Defendants have infringed, and are now directly infringing, one or more 634 patent within this District and elsewhere within the United States

through their manufacture, importation, use, offer for sale, and/or sale of the Cloud Chair. 92. On information and belief, Defendants have not only directly infringed the

634 patent, but also induced others to infringe and/or contributed to the infringement of at least one claim of the 93. 634 patent in violation of 35 U.S.C. 271.

On further information and belief, Defendants intentionally took steps to 634 patent by sales

induce and/or contribute to the infringement of the

representatives, customers, and other users of the Cloud Chair, with knowledge or willful blindness of that infringement by others, including such steps as: arranging or contracting for the manufacture, assembly, and/or distribution of the Cloud Chair for

20

infringing sales and/or use and marketing and promoting the Cloud Chair in this State and in this District. 94. On information and belief, Defendants knew that the Cloud Chair,

including the linkage assembly for tilting the chair, was especially made or adapted for use in infringing the 95. 634 patent.

On information and belief, the Cloud Chair, including the linkage 634 patent.

assembly, is not capable of a substantial use that does not infringe the 96.

On information and belief, Defendants have worked in conjunction with

each other and/or their sales representatives, suppliers, and distributors to manufacture, offer to sell, sell, import, and/or distribute the infringing Cloud Chair. 97. this Court. 98. On information and belief, at the time Defendants first engaged in 634 patent, Defendants had actual or constructive knowledge of 634 patent has been and Defendants will continue to infringe the 634 patent unless enjoined by

infringement of the

the patent. As a result, Defendants infringement of the continues to be willful and wanton. 99.

Herman Miller has been irreparably damaged, including in this District, in

an amount yet to be determined, by Defendants acts of infringement and will continue to be damaged by such acts in the future unless and until enjoined by this Court. 100. Given Defendants willful, fraudulent, and malicious conduct, Plaintiff, is

entitled to an award of exemplary, enhanced, or punitive damages in an amount appropriate to punish Defendants and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct.

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COUNT VIII Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,059,368 101. As the eighth ground for relief, Herman Miller hereby alleges patent

infringement in violation of the laws of the United States relating to patents, Title 35 of the United States Code. Herman Miller repeats and realleges the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 100, as though fully set forth herein. 102. Herman Miller is the owner of the 368 patent, which duly and legally

issued on May 9, 2000. 103. claims of the Defendants have infringed, and are now directly infringing, one or more 368 patent within this District and elsewhere within the United States

through their manufacture, importation, use, offer for sale, and/or sale of the Cloud Chair. 104. On information and belief, Defendants have not only directly infringed the

368 patent, but also induced others to infringe and/or contributed to the infringement of at least one claim of the 105. 368 patent in violation of 35 U.S.C. 271.

On further information and belief, Defendants intentionally took steps to 368 patent by sales

induce and/or contribute to the infringement of the

representatives, customers, and other users of the Cloud Chair, with knowledge or willful blindness of that infringement by others, including such steps as: arranging or contracting for the manufacture, assembly, and/or distribution of the Cloud Chair for

22

infringing sales and/or use and marketing and promoting the Cloud Chair in this State and in this District. 106. On information and belief, Defendants knew that the Cloud Chair,

including the seat portion, was especially made or adapted for use in infringing the 368 patent. 107. On information and belief, the Cloud Chair, including the seat portion, is 368 patent.

not capable of a substantial use that does not infringe the 108.

On information and belief, Defendants have worked in conjunction with

each other and/or their sales representatives, suppliers, and distributors to manufacture, offer to sell, sell, import, and/or distribute the infringing Cloud Chair. 109. this Court. 110. On information and belief, at the time Defendants first engaged in 368 patent, Defendants had actual or constructive knowledge of 368 patent has been and Defendants will continue to infringe the 368 patent unless enjoined by

infringement of the

the patent. As a result, Defendants infringement of the continues to be willful and wanton. 111.

Herman Miller has been irreparably damaged, including in this District, in

an amount yet to be determined, by Defendants acts of infringement and will continue to be damaged by such acts in the future unless and until enjoined by this Court. 112. Given Defendants willful, fraudulent, and malicious conduct, Plaintiff is

entitled to an award of exemplary, enhanced, or punitive damages in an amount appropriate to punish Defendants and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct.

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COUNT IX Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,035,901 113. As the ninth ground for relief, Herman Miller hereby alleges patent

infringement in violation of the laws of the United States relating to patents, Title 35 of the United States Code. Herman Miller repeats and realleges the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 112, as though fully set forth herein. 114. Herman Miller is the owner of the 901 patent, which duly and legally

issued on March 14, 2000. 115. claims of the Defendants have infringed, and are now directly infringing, one or more 901 patent within this District and elsewhere within the United States

through their manufacture, importation, use, offer for sale, and/or sale of the Cloud Chair. 116. On information and belief, Defendants have not only directly infringed the

901 patent, but also induced others to infringe and/or contributed to the infringement of at least one claim of the 117. 901 patent in violation of 35 U.S.C. 271.

On further information and belief, Defendants intentionally took steps to 901 patent by sales

induce and/or contribute to the infringement of the

representatives, customers, and other users of the Cloud Chair, with knowledge or willful blindness of that infringement by others, including such steps as: arranging or contracting for the manufacture, assembly, and/or distribution of the Cloud Chair for

24

infringing sales and/or use and marketing and promoting the Cloud Chair in this State and in this District. 118. On information and belief, Defendants knew that the Cloud Chair,

including the woven fabric membrane, was especially made or adapted for use in infringing the 119. 901 patent. On information and belief, the Cloud Chair, including the woven fabric, is 901 patent.

not capable of a substantial use that does not infringe the 120.

On information and belief, Defendants have worked in conjunction with

each other and/or their sales representatives, suppliers, and distributors to manufacture, offer to sell, sell, import, and/or distribute the infringing Cloud Chair. 121. this Court. 122. On information and belief, at the time Defendants first engaged in 901 patent, Defendants had actual or constructive knowledge of 901 patent has been and Defendants will continue to infringe the 901 patent unless enjoined by

infringement of the

the patent. As a result, Defendants infringement of the continues to be willful and wanton. 123.

Herman Miller has been irreparably damaged, including in this District, in

an amount yet to be determined, by Defendants acts of infringement and will continue to be damaged by such acts in the future unless and until enjoined by this Court. 124. Given Defendants willful, fraudulent, and malicious conduct, Plaintiff is

entitled to an award of exemplary, enhanced, or punitive damages in an amount appropriate to punish Defendants and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct.

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COUNT X Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,772,282 125. As the tenth ground for relief, Herman Miller hereby alleges patent

infringement in violation of the laws of the United States relating to patents, Title 35 of the United States Code. Herman Miller repeats and realleges the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 124, as though fully set forth herein. 126. Herman Miller is the owner of the 282 patent, which duly and legally

issued on June 30, 1998. 127. claims of the Defendants have infringed, and are now directly infringing one or more 282 patent within this District and elsewhere within the United States

through their manufacture, importation, use, offer for sale, and/or sale of the Cloud Chair. 128. On information and belief, Defendants have not only directly infringed the

282 patent, but also induced others to infringe and/or contributed to the infringement of at least one claim of the 129. 282 patent in violation of 35 U.S.C. 271.

On further information and belief, Defendants intentionally took steps to 282 patent by sales

induce and/or contribute to the infringement of the

representatives, customers, and other users of the Cloud Chair, with knowledge or willful blindness of that infringement by others, including such steps as: arranging or contracting for the manufacture, assembly, and/or distribution of the Cloud Chair for

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infringing sales and/or use and marketing and promoting the Cloud Chair in this State and in this District. 130. On information and belief, Defendants knew that the Cloud Chair,

including the tilting mechanism for the chair. was especially made or adapted for use in infringing the 131. 282 patent. On information and belief, the Cloud Chair, including the tilting 282 patent.

mechanism, is not capable of a substantial use that does not infringe the 132.

On information and belief, Defendants have worked in conjunction with

each other and/or their sales representatives, suppliers, and distributors to manufacture, offer to sell, sell, import, and/or distribute the infringing Cloud Chair. 133. this Court. 134. On information and belief, at the time Defendants first engaged in 282 patent, Defendants had actual or constructive knowledge of 282 patent has been and Defendants will continue to infringe the 282 patent unless enjoined by

infringement of the

the patent. As a result, Defendants infringement of the continues to be willful and wanton. 135.

Herman Miller has been irreparably damaged, including in this District, in

an amount yet to be determined, by Defendants acts of infringement and will continue to be damaged by such acts in the future unless and until enjoined by this Court. 136. Given Defendants willful, fraudulent, and malicious conduct, Plaintiff is

entitled to an award of exemplary, enhanced, or punitive damages in an amount appropriate to punish Defendants and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct.

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COUNT XI Civil Conspiracy 137. As the eleventh ground for relief, Herman Miller hereby alleges civil

conspiracy in violation of the laws of the State of Michigan. Herman Miller repeats and realleges the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 136, as though fully set forth herein. 138. As set forth above, Defendants are members of a combination of two or

more persons. 139. The object of the combination was and continues to accomplish an

unlawful purpose by unlawful means, including the tortious taking, use and diminishment of Herman Millers intellectual property and other rights through the unlawful means described above. 140. Defendants had a meeting of the minds and have acted in concert on the

object or course of action, including the participation in the conspiracy. 141. One or more of the members of the conspiracy committed an unlawful,

overt act(s) and continue to commit those acts to further the object or course of action of the conspiracy. 142. As a direct and proximate result of the Defendants wrongful conduct,

Plaintiffs have suffered and will continue to suffer incalculable financial loss, loss of goodwill, loss of customers, and other damages.

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143.

Plaintiff has suffered irreparable harm as a result of Defendants actions

as described herein, and Defendants actions have been done intentionally and with conscious disregard for the law. 144. Plaintiff, therefore, is entitled to an award of exemplary, enhanced, or

punitive damages in an amount appropriate to punish Defendants and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct. WHEREFORE, Herman Miller prays that this Court enter the following judgment and order: A. That Defendants have violated Sections 32(a), 43(a), and 43(c) of the

Lanham Act, have violated the Michigan Consumer Protection Action, Section 445.903, and have committed acts of unfair competition in violation of the common law of Michigan. B. That Defendants have infringed U.S. Patent Nos. 6,386,634, 6,059,368,

6,035,901, and 5,772,282; C. That Defendants have engaged in an unlawful civil conspiracy in violation

of the common law of Michigan; D. The Defendants their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees,

successors, distributors, assigns and attorneys, and all those controlled by or in active concert or participation with them, be preliminarily and permanently enjoined and restrained from: 1. 2. Further infringement of U.S. Trademark Registration No. 2,754,826; Further infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,386,634, 6,059,368, 6,035,901, and 5,772,282;

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3.

Manufacturing, importing in to the United States, distributing, advertising, promoting, offering for sale, and selling the Cloud Chair or any other product, design or configuration, that gives rise to a likelihood of confusion, mistake, or deception with respect to the AERON Trade Dress or in any way dilutes Herman Millers famous AERON Trade Dress;

4.

Trading on the goodwill associated with the AERON Trade Dress and passing off their goods as those of Herman Miller;

5.

Injuring Herman Millers business reputation and goodwill associated with the AERON Trade Dress and otherwise unfairly competing with Herman Miller in any manner whatsoever;

6.

Engaging in deceptive trade practices with regard to importing, distributing, advertising, marketing, promoting, offering for sale, and selling the Cloud Chair, the AERON Chair, or other Herman Miller products;

7.

Making any false or misleading descriptions or misrepresentations of fact relating to the Cloud Chair, AERON chair, or other Herman Miller products; and

8.

Doing any other act or thing likely to cause or induce the mistaken belief that Defendants are in any way affiliated, associated with, or sponsored by Herman Miller.

E.

That, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1118, Defendants be ordered to deliver up

to Herman Miller or destroy all products, labels, packages, brochures, wrappers, advertisements, promotions, displays, catalogs, Internet web pages, literature, and all other matter, whether in paper or electronic form, in the custody or under the control of

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Defendants that constitute, bear, or depict the Cloud Chair, or any other unauthorized use of the AERON Trade Dress, or any confusingly similar variation thereof; F. That, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1116(d) and 1118, all counterfeits of

Herman Millers AERON Trade Dress, the means of making such goods, including, all dies, molds, and equipment, and records documenting the manufacture, sale, or receipt of things involved in such counterfeit violation, including paper and electronic documents, be seized and subject to destruction; G. That, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1116, Defendants be directed to file with

the Court and serve on Herman Miller within thirty (30) days after issuance of an injunction, a report in writing and under oath setting forth in detail the manner and form in which Defendants have complied with the injunction; H. That, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1117 Herman Miller be awarded monetary

relief in an amount fixed by the Court in its discretion as just, including: 1. All profits received by Defendants from sales and revenues of any kind made as a result of acts of trade dress infringement, unfair competition, and dilution, said amount to be trebled due to Defendants willful actions; 2. All damages sustained by Herman Miller as a result of Defendants actions, said damages to be trebled due to Defendants willful actions; and 3. If Herman Miller so elects, statutory damages of up to $1,000,000 per counterfeit mark, per type of goods sold, offered for sale, or distributed. I. That Defendants be ordered to compensate Herman Miller for the

advertising and other expenditures necessary to dispel any public confusion caused by Defendants unlawful acts complained of herein;

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J.

That, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 284, Defendants be ordered by this Court to

account for and pay to Herman Miller damages adequate to compensate Herman Miller for the infringement of United States Patent Nos. 6,386,634, 6,059,368, 6,035,901, and 5,772,282, said damages to be increased up to three times the amount found or assessed in view of the willful nature of the continued infringement of said patents; K. That, because of the exceptional nature of this case resulting from

Defendants deliberate and willful actions, this Court award to Herman Miller all reasonable attorneys' fees, costs, and disbursements incurred by it as a result of this action, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 285 and 15 U.S.C. 1117; L. That, pursuant to Michigan common law, Defendants be ordered by this

Court to pay Herman Miller damages to compensate Herman Miller for the unlawful acts committed as a result of Defendants conspiring to infringe Herman Millers patent rights, trademark rights, and other intellectual property rights in the AERON chair; and M. That Herman Miller be awarded any such other and further relief as this

Court deems just and fair. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 38(b), Herman Miller demands trial by jury in this action on all issues so triable. Dated: April 15, 2013 Respectfully submitted,

By:

__/James K. Cleland/_______ James K. Cleland BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE 524 South Main Street, Suite 200 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 Tel. 734.302.6000

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Fax 734.994.6331 Laura Beth Miller Katherine L. Tabor BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE 455 N. Cityfront Plaza Drive NBC Tower, Suite 3600 Chicago, Illinois Tel. 312.321.4200 Fax 312.321.4299 Counsel for Plaintiff Herman Miller, Inc.

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