FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC—On November 9, 2023, after a nine-day jury trial in the Middle District of Florida, Finnegan client ProSlide Technology, Inc. prevailed in an infringement case involving patents related to large water slides. ProSlide, a manufacturer of waterslides for amusement parks and water parks, accused three WhiteWater West Industries, Inc. rides—the “Orbiter,” the “Tailspin,” and the “AquaSphere,”—of willfully infringing two utility patents, and a fourth ride, the “Parallel Pursuit” of infringing a design patent. Through skillful lawyering and masterful cross-examination, the Finnegan team successfully convinced the jury that WhiteWater’s products were infringing. The jury ruled in favor of ProSlide in nearly a clean sweep, finding willful infringement by the “Orbiter” and “Tailspin,” infringement by the “AquaSphere,” all patents valid, and monetary damages.
The timing of this verdict is quite significant. The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) will host the world’s largest trade show for the amusement industry on Monday, November 13 in Orlando, Florida. As such, WhiteWater was asked to refrain from selling and offering to sell the infringing “Orbiter,” “Tailspin,” and “AquaSphere” rides at the tradeshow, which are among their best-selling rides.
Finnegan partner James Barney served as lead counsel for ProSlide. He said, “Finnegan and ProSlide are thrilled with the verdict. The case was less about the money and more about protecting our client’s patents and getting the infringing rides off the U.S. market.”
The case is ProSlide Technology, Inc. v. WhiteWater West Industries, Ltd., 6:20-cv-02189, M.D. Fla., Judge Mendoza.
Contacts
Erika Arner, Managing Partner
erika.arner@finnegan.com
Anand K. Sharma, Chair
anand.sharma@finnegan.com
About Finnegan
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP is one of the largest IP law firms in the world. From offices in Atlanta, Boston, London, Munich, Palo Alto, Reston, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, and Washington, DC, the firm practices European, German, UK, and U.S. IP law. In addition to services related to all aspects of patent, trademark, and copyright law, including counseling, prosecution, licensing, and litigation, Finnegan provides counseling and litigation services in advertising, privacy, and a wide spectrum of additional IP-adjacent commercial matters, including trade secrets, international trade, the Internet, e-commerce, government contracts, antitrust, and unfair competition. For additional information on the firm, please visit www.finnegan.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
