Unisplay S.A. v. American Electronic Sign and Indicator Company, Luke Williams, et al.
Published: Aug. 13, 1994 | Result Date: May 27, 1994 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: CS92214CRW – $1,628,950
Judge
Court
USDC Eastern
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Mel Goldenberg
(technical)
Gary Burns
(technical)
Richard Allyn
(technical)
Defendant
Jim Leigh
(technical)
Brent Brown
(technical)
Gordon Budke
(technical)
Facts
Unisplay S.A., the Plaintiff in the instant case, is the owner of U.S. Patent No. 4,163,332 directed to a backlit sign having magnetically actuated solar reflective flaps, which Unisplay promotes as its Solar Glo display. Defendant Luke Williams was a founder and officer of American Sign & Indicator Company (AS&I) which he sold to the Brae Corporation in 1983. Williams first became acquainted with Unisplay when AS&I licensed Unisplay's patent on its Unex electronic sign technology in the 1970's. After Williams sold AS&I, he served as a representative of Unisplay to find a licensee for its Solar Glo patent. In 1988, Williams formed American On-Premise Advertising Company (now American Electronic Sign Company) to make and sell a backlit, solar reflective sign which he called the Solartronic display. At the time he entered the market with his Solartronic display, Williams claimed to have a patent on his technology. However, this proved to be untrue.
Settlement Discussions
Offers and demands were not disclosed.
Damages
A reasonable royalty in the amount of $1,628,950.
Other Information
Motions for increased damages, attorneys' fees, and prejudgment interest are pending.
Deliberation
5 hours
Poll
6-0
Length
8 days
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