Federal Judge Reaffirms Zimmer Must Pay More Than $248 Million to Stryker for Willful Infringement
07.31.17
Stryker represented by all-female McAndrews team in case that sets the standard for determining enhanced damages
Chicago, July 31, 2017 – On July 12, 2017, a federal judge reaffirmed that Zimmer Inc. must pay more than $248 million to Stryker for the willful infringement of three of its pulsed lavage patents, calling it “a case of egregious piracy.” This long-running case was sent back to the Western District of Michigan for reconsideration after the Supreme Court’s June 2016 decision found the Federal Circuit’s test for awarding damages “up to three times the amount found or assessed” was overly rigid and not justified under the Patent Act.
Applying the new standard, Judge Robert J. Jonker wrote in the order that “Zimmer is precisely the type of egregious infringer the Supreme Court had in mind when it relaxed the…standard to provide district courts with the freedom to exercise their discretion to enhance damages in cases of willful infringement.” The Supreme Court’s ruling in the Stryker v Zimmer and Halo v Pulse Electronics cases has made it easier for patent holders to collect additional money when their inventions are copied without permission.
Stryker is represented by McAndrews, Held & Malloy attorneys Sharon A. Hwang, Deborah A. Laughton, and Stephanie F. Samz.
In August 2013, Stryker was awarded over $248 million following a jury’s $70 million verdict that Zimmer willfully infringed three patents related to pulsed lavage irrigation systems. At the time, the jury verdict was listed as the fifth largest IP verdict. In October 2015, the Supreme Court granted McAndrews’ petition for writ of certiorari on behalf of Stryker to consider the legal standard for enhancing damages in patent infringement cases.
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McAndrews, Held & Malloy boasts one of the most highly regarded teams of intellectual property attorneys, agents and technology specialists in the United States. Founded in 1988, the firm offers deep bench strength in matters relating to patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and unfair competition. McAndrews attorneys have underlying scientific-based degrees and extensive prior experience in technology and IP-focused professions, and they routinely handle cases that involve innovative and cutting-edge technologies in specialized industries. While best known for their record of litigation successes, the firm also offers services in IP procurement, patent interferences, trademark oppositions and cancellations, IP/technology opinions and investigations, global portfolio management, development and licensing, M&A support, due diligence, design rights and joint ventures. Clients include multi-national corporations, Fortune 500 companies, startups and world-renowned universities. For more information, visit www.mcandrews-ip.com.