Two district courts, one correct claim construction; $103 million damage award vacated
In a recent decision, the Federal Circuit reversed a jury verdict of willful infringement and a total award of over $100 million based on a modified claim construction. The court also reversed the finding that one asserted claim was not anticipated, and remanded the case for a redetermination of infringement and whether the remaining claims were valid.
The court considered two competing constructions of the same claim terms, one by the district court in this case, and another by a second district court in an unrelated case involving the same patent. The Federal Circuit found the second district court's construction to be the proper one, and therefore reversed the construction on appeal (and the related finding of infringement).
More detail of Finistar Corp. v. DirecTV Group, Inc. after the jump.
