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When market entry fee part of damages for patent infringement, permanent injunction inappropriate

In a recent decision, the Federal Circuit affirmed a finding of infringement of a patent relating to the detection and classification of Hepatitis C Virus, but remanded the case for a determination of anticipation. In arguably the most interesting aspect of the decision, the court vacated the permanent injunction entered against the defendant. The plaintiff […]

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Federal Circuit again tackles the meaning of “a”

In a decision this week, the Federal Circuit affirmed-in-part and reversed-in-part a district court's grant of summary judgment of non-infringement with respect to two patents relating to cleaning printing press cylinders. Both findings were based on issues of claim construction, with one centering around an issue that has reached the Federal Circuit multiple times: the […]

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Pre-KSR obviousness instruction does not result in plain error post-KSR

In a decision this week, the Federal Circuit affirmed findings of infringement of two patents by two defendants. The court also reversed an invalidity ruling of one of one claim that had been the subject of reexamination, but remanded the case to the district court for a determination of the obviousness of one claim based […]

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Term defined in specification limited even though partially characterized as exemplary

In a recent decision, the Federal Circuit vacated and remanded a limited exclusion order by the International Trade Commission. The ITC entered an exclusion order that prevented importation of products produced by a method that infringed two patents.The Federal Circuit vacated the finding of infringement, holding that under the correct claim construction, there was no […]

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Statement during prosecution not a clear and unmistakable disavowal, no prosecution disclaimer

In a decision yesterday, the Federal Circuit partially reversed a district court's summary judgment of noninfringement of a patent directed to closed circuit television systems. In granting summary judgment, the district court held that the doctrine of prosecution disclaimer limited the scope of the claims, finding the inventors characterized the invention narrowly in response to […]

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Triangular opening not equivalent to vertical slit; summary judgment of no infringement affirmed

Today the Federal Circuit affirmed a district court's determination that the patent claim term "closeable vertical opening" required a slit-like shape that is perpendicular to the pan of the horizon instead of simply an opening with a shape that is taller than it is wide. Further, the court found that an accused product which creates […]

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Jury verdict finding Microsoft’s product activation systems infringed two patents affirmed

In a decision Friday, the Federal Circuit affirmed a district court's finding of infringement and no invalidity of patents relating to the reduction of software piracy. At issue was a finding of non-infringement based on the claim construction of claim limitations found in patents held by z4 Technologies. In affirming the district court decision, the […]

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ITC’s claim construction reversed, revised construction leads to Section 337 violation

In a decision yesterday, the Federal Circuit reversed a decision of the U.S. International Trade Commission that a violation of § 337 of the 1930 Tarriff Act had not occurred. The court reversed the ITC's claim construction, and based on the revised claim construction, found the accused products infringed. This modified claim construction also resulted […]

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“Comprised of” means the same as “comprising,” judgment of noninfringement affirmed

Today, the Federal Circuit addressed how to interpret the phrase "comprised of" in a patent claim. In holding that the phrase should be construed in the same open-ended way the term "comprising" is traditionally construed, the court disagreed with the district court's finding that the phrase was closed-ended and excluded the presence of all elements […]

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Finding of infringement of two patents affirmed, one reversed, damages award vacated

In a highly anticipated recent decision, the Federal Circuit affirmed the judgment of infringement against Vonage with respect to two Verizon patents, holding that the district court did not err in its construction of the disputed claim terms and that the claims were not obvious. With respect to a third patent, the Federal Circuit held […]

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