Johnson Farm Machinery Co., Inc. v. FMC Corporation
Published: Jun. 18, 1994 | Result Date: May 17, 1994 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: CIVS92062GEB – $1,115,500
Judge
Court
USDC Eastern
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Facts
Plaintiff Johnson Farm Machinery was founded in 1943 by Roy Johnson, the father of the current owner, Howard Johnson. Roy had taught himself the fundamentals of mechanical engineering. He began repairing, then designing and building harvesting equipment; obtaining several patents in the process. In 1965, Johnson introduced what was known as the Button-Johnson self-propelled tomato harvester, features of which are still found in today's harvester. In 1982, Johnson took a license from the University of CA to develop the new powered, rotary tomato shaker that had been designed and patented by Professor Henry Studer at UC Davis. In 1985, Johnson developed a version which is in use today. Defendant FMC Corporation's introduction of a harvester in incorporating the patented technology without a license in 1992 led to this lawsuit.
Settlement Discussions
Plaintiff contends no offers or demands were exchanged.
Damages
Lost profits of $1,115,500.
Deliberation
1.5 days
Poll
7-0
Length
3 weeks
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