2000 Federal Circuit Patent Decisions
(arrayed by month of decision)

Janurary 2000:

Pioneer Hi-Bred Int'l. v. J.E.M. Ag Supply, Inc., Docket No. 99-1035 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Patentable Subject Matter, Plant Variety Protection Act

Vanmoor v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Docket No. 99-1190, 99-1256 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory |Georgetown]

• Critical Date, Reduction to Practice

Winner Int'l Royalty Corp. v. Wang, Docket No. 98-1553 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Obviousness, Combination of Prior Art

February:

Cortland Line Co. v. Orvis Co., Docket No. 99-1081 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Literal Infringement, Doctrine of Equivalents, Means-Plus-Function Claims

In re Gartside, Docket No. 99-1241 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Standard of Review, Obviousness, Interference Proceeding

Kraft Goods, Inc. v. Int'l Trading Co., Docket No. 99-1240 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Claim Differentiation, Means-Plus-Function Limitations

Ultra-Tex Surfaces, Inc. v. Hill Bros. Chemical Co., Docket No. 99-1018, -1024 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Hypothetical Claim Analysis, Obviousness

March 2000:

Clearstream Wastewater Sys., Inc. v. Hydro-Action, Inc., Docket No. 99-1299 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Prior Art, Claim Limitations, Means-Plus-Function, Combination Claims

IMS Tech., Inc. v. Haas Automation, Inc., Docket No. 99-1019 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Infringement, Means-Plus-Function, Doctrine of Equivalents

Semiconductor Energy Lab. Co. v. Samsung Elecs., Docket No. 98-1377, 99-1103 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Inequitable Conduct, Intent to Mislead, Information Disclosure Statement

View Engineering v. Robotic Vision Sys., Docket No. 99-1399r (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Infringement, Declaratory Relief, Rule 11 Sanctions, Three-Dimensional View Technology

April 2000:

Envirco v. Clestra Cleanroom, Docket No. 99-1111 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Summary Judgment, Infringement, Claim Construction, Means-Plus-Function Claim Elements, 35 U.S.C. § 112, para. 6, Clean Room Filter

Helifix v.Blok-Lok, Docket No. 99-1196 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Interlocutory Appeal, Summary Judgment, Invalidity, Anticipation, Enablement, Person of Ordinary Skill in the Art, On-Sale Bar, Preliminary Injunction, Infringement, Inducing Infringement, Brick Wall Tie, 35 U.S.C. § 102(b)

Helfgott & Karas v. Dickinson, Docket No. 99-1308 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Administrative Procedures Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 702-06 (1994), Arbitrary and Capricious Agency Actions, PCT Application, PCT Rule 91.1, - 37 C.F.R. § 1.183 - 37 C.F.R. § 1.182, Fluid -Activated Chuck

Hill-Rom v. Kinetic Concepts , Docket No. 99-1314 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Hospital Beds, Literal Infringement, Doctrine of Equivalents, Invalidity, Claim Construction

Kemco Sales v. Control Papers , Docket No. 99-1349 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Summary Judgment, Infringement, Means-Plus-Function, Claim Construction, Doctrine of Equivalents, 35 U.S.C. § 112, para. 6, Tamper-Evident Envelopes

Optical Disk v. Del Mar Avionics, Docket No. 99-1225 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Summary Judgment, Infringement, Doctrine of Equivalents, Insubstantial Differences, Optical Discs

STX v. Brine, Docket No. 99-1341 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Invalidity, On-Sale Bar, Lacrosse Stick, 35 U.S.C. § 102(b), PFAFF TEST

May 2000:

Advanced Display Sys., et al. v. Kent State Univ., et al. , Docket No. 99-1012 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Liquid Crystal Displays, Anticipation, Obviousness, Infringement, Jury Instructions, Sanctions, Declaratory Judgment

Aqua-Aerobic Sys. v. Aerators , Docket No. 98-1465 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Downflower Mixer, Summary Judgment, Infringement, Doctrine of Equivalents, Expert Evidence

Bayer v. Elan Pharmaceutical Research , Docket No. 99-1365 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• 35 U.S.C. § 271, Nifedipine Crystals, Specific Surface Area, Abbreviated New Drug Application, Summary Judgment, Infringement, Doctrine of Equivalents

Hoffman-La Roche v. Invamed , Docket No. 99-1466 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• 35 U.S.C. § 285, Triclopidine Hydrochiloride, Infringement, Attorneys' Fees, Sanctions

In re Hyatt, Docket No. 99-1182 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Device Detection, Intensity Sharing, Anticipation, Patent Application

Riverwood Int. Corp. v. Mead Corp., Docket No. 99-1274 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• 35 U.S.C. § 103, Obviousness, Prior Art, Objective Factors

U.S. Valves v. Dray , Docket No. 99-1586 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Internal Piston Valve, Breach of Contract, Damages, Royalties

Vehicular Technologies v. Titan Wheel Int'l., Docket No. 99-1042 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Double-Spring Assembly, Summary Judgment, Infringement, Doctrine of Equivalents

June 2000:

Arthur A. Collins, Inc. v. Northern Telecom, Ltd., Docket No. 99-1400 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Georgetown]

• Summary Judgment, Literal Infringement, Claim Construction, Unsupported Expert Opinions, Inducement of Infringement, Digital Telecommunications, Networking and Switching Systems

Canton Bio-Medical v. Integrated Liner Technologies, Docket No. 98-1568 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Summary, Judgment , Doctrine of Equivalents, Prosecution History Estoppel, Method for Coating Septa with Elastomeric Materials

Elekta Instrument v. O.U.R. Scientific International , Docket No. 99-1556 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Summary Judgment, Literal Infringement, Medical Devices, Radiation Therapy, Gamma Units

Embrex v. Service Engineering, Docket No. 99-1064 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• JMOL, Claim Construction, Infringement, Experimental Use, Direct Damages, 35 U.S.C. § 284, Willful Infringement, Treble Damages, Attorney's Fees, Standing, In Ovo Immunization of Birds

Environ Prods., Inc. v. Furon Co., Docket No. 99-1218, -1219 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Georgetown]

• Inventorship, Burden of Proof of Priority of Invention Between Co-Pending Interfering Patents, Preponderance of the Evidence, Harmless Error in Jury Instructions, Flexible Underground Secondary Containment Pipe

Glitsch v.Koch Engineering Company, Docket No. 99-1377 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Trade Secret Misappropriation, Patent Infringement, Patent Misuse Defense, Use of Declaratory Judgment to Attack Prior Court Decision

In re Baker Hughes, Inc., Docket No. 99-1463 (Fed. Cir. 2000) [Georgetown]

• Reexamination, 35 U.S.C. § 103, Nonobviousness, Claim Construction, Methods to Control Hydrogen Sulfide Contamination

In re Werner Kotzab, Docket No. 99-1231 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Georgetown]

• Reexamination, 35 U.S.C. § 103(a), Nonobviousness, Hindsight Trap, Method for Forming Plastic Articles, Injection Molding Method

Northern Telecom, Ltd. v. Samsung Elecs., Co., Ltd, Docket No. 99-1208, 99-1227 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• 35 U.S.C. § 112, para. 1, Summary Judgment, Invalidity, Best Mode Requirement, Literal Infringement, Gaseous Plasma Etching

Reiffin v. Microsoft Corp., Docket No. 98-1502r (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• Per Curiam Opinion, Summary Judgment, 35 U.S.C. § 112, para. 1, Written Description Requirement, 35 U.S.C § 120, Benefit of Earlier Filing Date, Computer Systems, Real Time Compilation

Rotec v. Mitsubishi , Docket No. 99-1275 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory | Georgetown]

• fill in the blank

Rescot, Inc. v. Becton, Docket No. 99-1291 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Trademark Registration, Likelihood of Confusion, DuPont Factors, Famous Marks, Fido Lay, Edible Dog Treats

Rotec Indus, Inc. v. Mitsubishi Corp., Docket No. 99-1275 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Summary Judgment, Infringement, 35 U.S.C § 271(a), Offer to Sell, 35 U.S.C. § 271(f)(2), Liability for Supplying/Cause to Supply Component of a Patented Invention, Tower Crane with Conveyor Belt

Solomon v. Kimberly-Clark Corp., Docket No. 00-1033 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Summary Judgment , Invalidity, 35 U.S.C. § 112, para. 2, Indefiniteness, 35 U.S.C. § 102(f), Disposable Feminine Products

Zacharin v. United States, Docket No. 99-5086 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• 35 U.S.C. § 102(b), Invalidity, On-Sale Bar, Equitable Estoppel, Submunitions, Ram Air Decelerator

July 2000:

Fiskars, Inc. v. Hunt Mfg. Co., Docket Nos. 98-1560, 98-1566, (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Doctrine of Equivalents, Infringement, Paper Cutter, Cutting Blade and Board, Carriage Assembly, Substantial Evidence, Inequitable Conduct, Withholding of Material Prior Art, 35 U.S.C. § 103

Hockerson-Halberstadt, Inc. v. Avia Group Int'l, Docket No. 99-1505 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Claim construction, De novo Review, Conventional Meaning, Prosecution History, Drawings, MPEP § 2125, Statements Made During Prosecution, Footwear, Shoe Sole, Infringement, Disclaimer During Prosecution

Ishida Co. v. Taylor, Docket No. 99-1537 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Claim Interpretation, De novo Review, Summary Judgment, Multiple Embodiments, Means-Plus-Function, Doctrine of Equivalents, Insubstantial Differences, Food Packaging Machine, Claim Specification, 35 U.S.C. § 112

August 2000:

Singh v. Brake, Docket No. 99-1259 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Interference, Conception of Subject Matter, Priority of Invention, DNA Construct, Written Description, Enablement, 35 U.S.C. § 112, para. 1

CAE Screenplates, Inc. v. Heinrich Fielder GMBH & Co., Docket No. 99-1278 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Summary Judgment, Infringement, Doctrine of Equivalents, Pressure Screen Machine, Jurisdiction, 35 U.S.C. § 112, para. 2, Indefiniteness, Anticipation, 35 U.S.C. § 102

Eli Lilly & co. v. Barr Lab., Inc., Docket Nos. 99-1262, -1263, -1264, -1303 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Abbreviated New Drug Application, 21 U.S.C. § 355, 35 U.S.C. § 271, Best Mode Requirement, Double Patenting, Summary Judgment, Pharmaceutical Compound

Genentech, Inc. v. Chiron Corp., Docket No. 99-1506 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• 35 U.S.C. § 146, Priority of Invention, Interference, Growth-Promoting Protein, RRA Test

Hilgraeve Corp. v. McAfee Assoc., Inc., Docket Nos. 99-1481, -1491 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Summary Judgment, Computer Program, Infringement, Doctrine of Equivalents, Estoppel, Data Storage

KCJ Corp. v. Kinetic Concepts, Inc., Docket No. 99-1248 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Literal Infringement, Doctrine of Equivalents, Air Flotation Mattress, Summary Judgment, Claim Construction, 35 U.S.C. § 103

Nutrinova Nutrition Specialties, Inc. v. Int'l Trade Comm'n., Docket No. 99-1293 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Artificial Sweetener, 35 U.S.C. § 295, Infringement, Process, Importation

PerSeptive Biosys., Inc. v. Pharmacia Biotech., Inc., Docket No. 98-1325 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Inequitable Conduct, Material Misrepresentation, Intent to Deceive, High-Speed Chromatography, Incorrect Inventorship, 35 U.S.C. §§§ 102, 116, 256

Prima Tek II, L.L.C. v. A-Roo Co., Docket No. 99-1581 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• 35 U.S.C. § 285, Litigation Misconduct, Attorneys' Fees, Standing, Decorative Flower Pot sleeves

Schering Corp. v. Amgen, Inc., Docket No. 99-1251 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Recombinant DNA Molecule, Method of Production, Summary Judgment, Claim Interpretation, Invalidity, Misuse, Mootness, 35 U.S.C. §§ 112, 132

Tate Access Floors, Inc. v. Maxcess Tech., Inc., Docket Nos. 99-1347, -1348 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• JMOL, Infringement, Permanent Injunction, Elevated Floor Panel, Claim Construction, Doctrine of Equivalents, Lost Profits, Abuse of Discretion, 35 U.S.C. §§§ 283, 284, 285 

September 2000:

Caterpillar, Inc. v. Deere & Co., Docket No. 99-1593 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory]

• Appeal, Summary Judgment , Frictionally-Driven Belted Work Vehicle, Means-Plus-Function, Doctrine of Equivalents, 35 U.S.C. § 112

Cultor, Corp. v. Staley Mfg. Co., Docket No. 99-1232 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Summary Judgment , Literal Infringement, Polydextrose, Artificial Sweeteners, Doctrine of Equivalents, Interference

Dow Chemical v. United States, Docket Nos. 97-5035, -5038 [Georgetown]

• Appeal, Infringement, Method for Filling Abandoned Mines, Invalidity

Ecolochem, Inc. v. Southern California Edison, Co., Docket No. 99-1043 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory]

• Summary Judgment, Invalidity, Anticipation, Obviousness, Deoxygenation Processes, Secondary Consideration, Long-Felt but Unsolved Need, Commercial Success, Simultaneous Invention, 35 U.S.C. § 102—35 U.S.C. § 103

Gerald Banks v. Unisys, Corp., Docket No. 00-1030 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory]

• Appeal, Inventorship, 35 U.S.C. § 116, 35 U.S.C. § 256

Lampi Corp. v. American Power Products, Inc., Docket Nos. 00-1011, -1055 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Georgetown]

• Appeal, Infringement, Invalidity, Fluorescent Light, 35 U.S.C. § 112

Life Technologies, Inc. v. Clontech Labs., Inc., Docket No. 99-1550 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Appeal, Unenforceability, Inequitable Conduct, Materiality, Withholding Information

Moore U.S.A., Inc. v. Standard Register Co., Docket Nos. 98-1386, -1387 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Appeal, Infringement, Summary Judgment, Mailer Forms, Doctrine of Equivalents, Intent, Indefiniteness, 35 U.S.C. § 112

On-Line Careline, Inc. v. America Online, Inc., Docket No. 99-1432 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Appeal, Likelihood of Confusion, Similarity of Trade Channels, Abandonment, 15 U.S.C. § 1052 (d)

Packard Press, Inc. v. Hewlett-Packard Co., Docket No. 00-1076 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Appeal, Likelihood of Confusion, Similarity, Relatedness, Fame of the Prior Mark

Sibia Neurosciences v. Cadus Pharmaceutical, Docket No. 99-1381 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Georgetown]

• Appeal, Infringement, Invalidity, Cell Surface Protein Activity, Obviousness

Southwest Software, Inc. v. Harlequin, Ltd., Docket Nos. 99-1213, -1214 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Appeal, Infringement, Validity, JMOL

Upjohn Co. v. MOVA Pharm., Corp. , Docket No. 99-1092 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Emory][Georgetown]

• Appeal, Infringement, Invalidity, Unenforceability, Inventorship, Pharmaceutical Composition

October 2000:

Ajinmoto Co., Inc. v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., Docket Nos. 99-1098,-1099,-1209,-1210 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Georgetown]

• Importation Without Authority, 35 U.S.C. § 271(g), Infringement, Genetically Modified Bacteria, Mutation Genetics, Recombinant DNA, Standing to Sue, Material Misrepresentation and Deceptive Intent, Inequitable Conduct, Enablement, Best Mode, 35 U.S.C. § 112, Claim Construction, Damages Enhancement

Bottom Line Mgt., Inc. v. Pan Man, Inc., Docket No. 99-1467 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Georgetown]

• Refurbishment of Patented Commercial Cooking Device, Permissible Repair, Infringing Reconstruction, Summary Judgment

Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. v. Phillip Morris, Inc., Docket No. 99-1389, -1403 (Fed. Cir. 2000). [Georgetown]

• Obviousness, 35 U.S.C. § 103, Secondary Indicators of Nonobviousness, Nexus Between Commercial Success and Claimed Features

Prepared by the liibulletin-patent Editorial Board.