In a design patent infringement case, 35 U.S.C. §289 authorizes the award of total profit from the article of manufacture bearing the patented design
| May 27, 2015
Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al.
May 18, 2015
Before: Prost, O’Malley and Chen. Opinion by Prost.
Summary
The CAFC affirmed the jury’s verdict on the design patent infringements and the validity of utility patent claims, and the damages awarded for these infringements appealed by Samsung. However, CAFC reversed the jury’s findings that the asserted trade dresses are protectable. Regarding the design patent infringement issue, Samsung proposed that functional aspects of the design patents should be “ignored” in their entirety in a design patent infringement analysis, the CAFC disagreed. Moreover, the CAFC found that the district court did not err by allowing jury to award damages based on Samsung’s entire profits on its infringing smartphones.
サムスン社は、控訴審において、意匠特許の機能的部分は意匠特許侵害の分析において無視されるべきであると主張した。CAFCは、機能的部分の装飾的な特徴は意匠特許によりカバーされるため、意匠特許侵害の分析において機能的部分を無視すべきというサムスン社の主張には同意しなかった。また、サムスン社は、意匠特許侵害の損害賠償は、侵害商品の全体としての利益（entire profit）に基づいて計算されるべきでないと主張したものの、特許法第289条は、意匠特許侵害の損害賠償を侵害商品の全体としての利益（entire profit）に基づいて計算することを可能としているため、CAFCはこの主張にも同意しなかった。
Under the AIA, a False Marking Action Can Be Brought by a Potential Competitor who Suffers a Competitive Injury
| May 20, 2015
Sukumar v. Nautilus, Inc.
May 4, 2015
Before: Prost, Newman and Reyna. Opinion by Prost.
Summary
The CAFC herein affirms the District Court grant of Nautilus’ motion for summary judgment to dismiss Sukumar’s false marking suit. The District Court held that Sukumar had not suffered a competitive injury and thus, lacked standing to enforce 35 U.S.C. 292. The CAFC herein determines who has standing to bring a false marking action.
PTO Need Not Terminate Inter Partes Re-exam Even After Parties Have Settled on Validity.
| May 18, 2015
Automated Merchandising Sys. v. Lee
April 10, 2015
Before: Prost, Taranto, Fogel; Opinion by Taranto
Summary:
Inter partes re-exams were initiated during the litigation. Parties settled the litigation, and the court issued consent judgment. Patentee requested PTO to terminate the re-exams, but PTO refused to terminate alleging that there was no “decision” by the court. Patentee sued PTO under Administrative Procedure Act (APA). District court granted summary judgment in favor of PTO. CAFC affirmed the summary judgment.
侵害訴訟中に当事者系再審査が開始された。その後当事者は和解し、それに基づいて地裁は和解判決を下した。特許権者は、米国特許庁に当事者系再審査の中止を請求したが、米国特許庁は、特許の有効性に関して裁判所の判決がなかったとして、中止を認めなかった。特許権者は、米国特許庁を行政手続法に基づいて訴えた。地裁は、米国特許庁の決定を維持するサマリ・ジャジメントを下した。CAFCもサマリ・ジャジメントを維持した。
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