Facts

Plaintiff Genes Industry Inc. filed suit against Custom Blinds and Components Inc., claiming infringement of an invention created by Genes owner and founder, William Chou.

Custom Blinds and Components filed antitrust counterclaims, which were dismissed prior to trial.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended that defendant willfully infringed Genes valid patent rights.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant contended that Genes' patent was invalid, obtained by fraud, and that defendant's device did not infringe the Genes patent.

Settlement Discussions

Defendant offered $100,000 prior to trial.

Damages

Plaintiff sought $1.8 million in lost earnings including convoyed sales, plus enhanced damages and attorney fees.

Result

The jury found in favor of plaintiff and awarded $3,566,299, consisting of $3 million in enhanced damages, $400,000 in attorney fees, and $166,299 in pre-judgment interest. The jury found that Genes' patent was valid and infringed by defendant's device. In addition, the jury found that defendant's infringement was willful.

Other Information

Defendant brought summary judgment motions for invalidity and non-infringement, which were denied prior to trial.

Deliberation

two days

Poll

8-0

Length

five days