Facts

Sport Dimension Inc. filed declaratory judgment action against The Coleman Co. Inc. involving Coleman's patents for personal flotation devices.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff is a sports equipment and apparel company that manufactured and sold water-sports-related equipment under the Body Glove brand. Plaintiff alleged that defendant sent plaintiff a letter to plaintiff accusing it of patent infringement and demanding plaintiff to cease and desist from manufacturing or otherwise selling Body Glove personal flotation devices. In response, plaintiff filed this action seeking declaratory relief that plaintiff is not infringing on defendant's patent and that the subject patent is invalid.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Defendant also manufactured and sold personal flotation devices and owned patent rights for a "Personal Flotation Device" and sold "Puddle Jumper," which was covered by defendant's patent.

Result

In light of the court's construction of the patent that effectively rendered Coleman unable to prove patent infringement, Coleman requested the court to render a declaratory judgment against it and in favor of Sport Dimension on the issue of infringement. The court did so and subsequently dismissed Sport Dimension's remaining claim for invalidity. The court entered final judgment on June 5. The court also entered an order that Coleman pay Sport Dimension's bill of costs.