Finnegan client UTC defeats Rolls-Royce's jet engine patent infringement claim

In a litigation brought by Rolls-Royce against Finnegan client United Technologies Corporation, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia entered the parties' stipulation of dismissal of all claims and counterclaims with prejudice. The court had earlier entered summary judgment that UTC did not infringe Rolls-Royce's patent and entered final judgment, ending Rolls-Royce's quest for an injunction and almost $4 billion in damages plus increased damages for alleged willful infringement. The ruling stemmed from the court's adoption of UTC's claim construction, namely that the claims of Rolls-Royce's patent are limited to jet engine fan stages having fan blades with only three regions of sweep, while UTC's have four.  After the court entered final judgment, the parties settled the case, stipulating to the dismissal with prejudice.