July 17, 2017
Authored and Edited by Alexander E. Harding; Kara A. Specht; Elizabeth D. Ferrill
In Genband US v. Metaswitch Networks, No 2017-1148 (Fed. Cir. July 10, 2017), the Federal Circuit clarified that a patentee only need show “some connection” between the patent and sales of infringing products to meet the irreparable harm requirement for a permanent injunction.
The Eastern District of Texas granted an $8.1 million jury verdict to Genband for patent infringement, for patents related to internet voice-communication services, but refused to also grant a permanent injunction, finding that Genband failed to satisfy the showing of irreparable harm by failing to identify a causal nexus showing that “the patented features drive demand for the [infringing] product.”
One standard applied by the district court, and under review, required that “the patented features drive the demand for the products,” known as the “drive-demand formula.” The Court opined that the district court’s causal nexus standard may have “relied on too stringent an interpretation of the requirement.” The Court examined the evolution of its “causal nexus” test finding a later opinion clarified that the patented features need only be “‘a driver’ as opposed to ‘the driver’” of demand for the infringing products. As the Court could not discern whether the standard applied by the district court applied with current governing approach, it determined a remand necessary.
Copyright © 2017 Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP.
DISCLAIMER: Although we wish to hear from you, information exchanged in this blog cannot and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not post any information that you consider to be personal or confidential. If you wish for Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP to consider representing you, in order to establish an attorney-client relationship you must first enter a written representation agreement with Finnegan. Contact us for additional information. One of our lawyers will be happy to discuss the possibility of representation with you. Additional disclaimer information.
Hybrid Conference
2024 California Intellectual Property Law Institute
October 21-22,2024
San Francisco
Conference
4th Annual Passport to Proficiency on the Essentials of Hatch-Waxman and BPCIA
October 8-24, 2024
Virtual
Conference
2024 Corporate Counsel Women of Color: Career Strategies Conference
October 2-5, 2024
Las Vegas
Hybrid Conference
2024 New York Intellectual Property Law Institute
September 30 - October 1, 2024
New York
Seminar
Intellectual Property in the Age of AI: What Do You Own and How Do You Balance Risks?
September 25, 2024
Boston
Due to international data regulations, we’ve updated our privacy policy. Click here to read our privacy policy in full.
We use cookies on this website to provide you with the best user experience. By accepting cookies, you agree to our use of cookies. Please note that if you opt not to accept or if you disable cookies, the “Your Finnegan” feature on this website will be disabled as well. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Privacy Policy.
Finnegan is thrilled to announce the launch of our new blog, Ad Law Buzz, devoted solely to breaking news, developments, trends, and analysis in advertising law.