Linear Technology Corporation v. Micrel Inc.
Published: Oct. 9, 1999 | Result Date: Jul. 27, 1999 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: C941633MHP Bench Decision – $0
Judge
Court
USDC Northern
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Facts
Plaintiff Linear Technology Corporation developed an adaptive transistor drive circuit used in switching voltage-regulator chips. On July 5, 1988, Linear obtained a patent, U.S. Patent No. 4,755,741, on the invention. In 1993, defendant Micrel Inc. subsequently placed on the market infringing products using technology covered by the '741 patent. Plaintiff Linear Technology Corporation brought this action against Micrel Inc. based on patent infringement.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $____________________. The defendant made a settlement offer of $______________________.
Damages
The plaintiff claimed damages for Micrel's infringement treble for willful infringement.
Other Information
The court found that the defendant had shown, by clear and convincing evidence, that the plaintiff had placed chips embodying the '741 invention on sale over a year before applying for the patent. The court ruled that, therefore, the '741 patent was invalid under 35 U.S.C. º102(b). The court dismissed the action and awarded costs to the defendant. On Sept. 17, 1999, Linear Technology Corporation filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit appealing the district court's judgment. The award was reached approximately five years after the case was filed.
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