Facts

Grand General Accessories Manufacturing (GGAM) owned several design patents associated with automotive stop/tail/turn (STT) lights, which were united by a light bulb reflector referred to as a "web comb design." The design contained several facets arranged in grid pattern on the inside of a parabolic reflector and a light bulb positioned in the reflector's center. GGAM filed an action against United Pacific Industries Inc. and Lucidity Enterprise Co., alleging that defendants infringed on seven STT design patents, and another non-STT patent, that used the web comb design and trade dress infringement based on the Lanham Act. Defendants moved for summary judgment.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff claimed that defendants copied its patented designs and intended to duplicate its products. Further, plaintiff claimed that it became aware of the infringing decorative vehicle lights in 2008.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Defendants argued that plaintiff's patents were invalid because plaintiff failed to disclose known prior art.

Result

The court granted defendants' summary judgment motion, finding that five of the eight patents were invalid. Later, the parties agreed to a consent judgment that invalidated all eight patents with plaintiff paying defendants $100,000.