Inter partes reexamination ruling affirmed in favor of Finnegan client MeadWestvaco

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 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, BPAI, and then the Federal Circuit of the patent's invalidity.