Charles E. Hill & Associates, Inc. v. Abt Electronics, Inc. et al, No. 2:09-cv-00313 (E.D. Tex. Jan. 10, 2012)

From the Opinion

The passage below is extracted verbatim from the opening of the document. It has not been editorially summarized — consult the full opinion for the court's complete reasoning.

Before the Court is the parties’ claim construction briefing. This Order addresses the parties’ various claim construction disputes. The Order will first briefly address the patents-in- suit and then turn to the merits of the claim construction issues. I. BACKGROUND AND THE PATENTS-IN-SUIT On October 9, 2009, plaintiff Charles E. Hill & Associates, Inc. (“Plaintiff”) brought this action against defendants Abt. El ectronics, Inc., PetMed Express, Inc., and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (collectively, “Defendants”), alleging infringement of U.S. Pat. No.