Federal Circuit Affirms Ruling from Inter Partes Reexamination in Favor of Finnegan Client MeadWestvaco

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 9, 2012

Federal Circuit Affirms Ruling from Inter Partes Reexamination in Favor of Finnegan Client MeadWestvaco

WASHINGTON, DC - On August 9, 2012, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit concluded that all claims of a patent relating to packaging for beverage cans are invalid, affirming a decision by the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The patent owner had sued various beverage companies in 2004 for infringement by selling beverages in Fridge Pack-style cartons. Obtaining a stay of the litigation, Finnegan client MeadWestvaco, a carton supplier, sought inter partes reexamination of the patent and convinced the Examiner, the Board, and then the Federal Circuit of the patent's invalidity.

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