Every Once in a While, a Trial Court Gets it Right

Hildebrand v. Steck Manufacturing Company, Inc., [06-1120, -1162](May 17, 2007)[PER CURIAM, Michel, Mayer, and Gajarsa] The Federal Circuit affirmed judgment that U.S> Patent No. 5,737,981 is valid and infringed, but denying wilful infringement.
SIGNIFICANCE: A surprising amount of deference to the actions of the district court.
BRIEF: In a non-precedential opinion, the Federal Circuit held that the patent was not anticipated, and that the defendant failed to prove to the jury by clearn and convincing evidence that the claimed invention was obvious. The finding of wilful infringement was supported by substantial evidence, and the decision not to aware reasonable royalties was unobjectionable since the damage award was adequate to compensate for the harm actually caused.