미국 대법원은 2016년 고의적인 침해를 발견하기 위한 표준을 완화했다. 이에 따라 특허 소유자는 이전보다 고의적인 침해를 주장하고 손해배상을 청구하기 쉬워졌다.

본 건은 2016년 대법원 판결에 따라 지방법원에서 Zimmer에게 3배의 손해배상을 명령한 내용이다. 연방 항소순회법원도 지방법원의 판결을 지지했다. 세부 판결 내용은 아래와 같다.

Federal Circuit Holding on Enhanced Damage

Enhanced Damage Against the Infringer

Stryker Corp. v. Zimmer, Inc. (Fed. Cir. 2018):

•This case is coming from the Supreme Court case in 2016.

•At that time, the Supreme Court changed the standard for enhanced damages and remanded the case back to the district court.

•When the case was remanded back to the district court, the jury found that Zimmer infringed the patent and awarded over $70 million in compensatory damages.

•Jury also found that the infringement was willful.

•At district court, the judge awarded the treble (3X) damages.

•Zimmer appealed to FC and argued that 3X damage is unfair.

•Federal Circuit affirmed the district court ruling without offering any reasoning behind its decision.

•Key Point: willful infringement could be very significant and detrimental to the infringer.

•Supreme Court relaxed the standard for finding willful infringement in 2016.

•In 2014, FC held for Zimmer. BUT, with the new standard held by the Supreme Court, Stryker’s award has now been affirmed.

•Patent owners will be more likely than before to pursue a willful infringement claim and enhanced damages.

▲미국 특허청(USPTO) 홈페이지