Intellectual Property, Technology and Internet Experience
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Midwest Industries, Inc. v. Karavan Trailers (S.D. Iowa) The case Midwest Industries, Inc. v. Karavan Trailers (S.D. Iowa) which involved the interplay between patents and trade dress rights. Midwest asserted trade dress protection in a unique curved winch post configuration for personal watercraft trailers. Midwest appealed the district court’s order granting summary judgment to Karavan, holding that Midwest’s trade dress claims were barred by federal patent law because Midwest had design patents for the curved winch post and a utility patent in which the curved winch post was claimed. Larkin Hoffman attorney Tom Oppold took over this case on appeal and successfully argued on behalf of Midwest to the Federal Circuit. Field v. Grabber Mfg. Co. (M.D. Fla.) Larkin Hoffman attorney, Tom Oppold, served as counsel for Field in Field v. Grabber Mfg. Co. (M.D. Fla.) a patent infringement case involving automotive collision repair machines. A significant damages award for the inventor was awarded by the jury. Engineered Products v. Donaldson Company (N.D. Iowa) Craig Lervick served as counsel for Engineered Products through trial in a patent infringement lawsuit related to devices that detect the level of contamination of an air filter of an internal combustion engine, Engineered Products v. Donaldson Company (N.D. Iowa). At trial, a jury verdict of willful infringement was obtained. The jury awarded Engineered Products over $5 million in damages, which was trebled to over $15M by the district court. On appeal, the Federal Circuit upheld over $11 million of the damages originally awarded to the client. Patent Harbor v. Twentieth Century Fox, et al. (E.D. Tex.) Tom Oppold, John Cotter and Jerry Podkopacz served as counsel for Venturer Electronics in a patent infringement action brought by Patent Harbor against numerous defendants involving a patent alleged to cover DVD players with scene selection features. After a favorable Markman ruling, Patent Harbor agreed to stipulate to non-infringement and an order was entered dismissing Venturer Electronics and other defendants. Tristrata Technology, Inc. v. Pierre Fabre S.A. et al. (D.N.J.) Glenna Gilbert defended Pierre Fabre in Tristrata Technology, Inc. v. Pierre Fabre S.A. et al. (D.N.J.), a patent infringement lawsuit involving patents related to methods for alleviating wrinkles and compositions for treating cosmetic or dermatologic skin disorders. The case settled before the Court issued a Markman order. Western Union Co. v. MoneyGram Payment Systems Inc. (W.D. Tex.) Glenna Gilbert defended MoneyGram through trial in Western Union Co. v. MoneyGram Payment Systems Inc. (W.D. Tex.). This patent infringement lawsuit involved patents related to systems and methods for performing money transfers. Western Union obtained a verdict awarding the plaintiff damages. On appeal, however, the Federal Circuit reversed the jury verdict, holding that Western Union’s patent claims were invalid as obvious. Kathleen Adams v. Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (W.D. Wis.) Glenna Gilbert defended Newell Rubbermaid, and its sales of the Rubbermaid Premier line. Kathleen Adams v. Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (W.D. Wis.) involved a patent infringement action related to a system of stackable storage containers. Near the eve of trial, the case settled. Cimline, Inc. v. Crafco, Inc. (D. Minn.) Paul Smith, Lauris Heyerdahl and Melissa Hagstrum served as counsel for Cimline in Cimline, Inc. v. Crafco, Inc. (D. Minn.). The group affirmatively sought a declaration of non-infringement as to Cimline’s product while attempting to invalidate a competitor’s patent, which was also contended to have been misused in the marketplace. In a widely cited 2011 case, the Federal Circuit adopted Cimline’s position and declared the patent of Crafco invalid as obvious, clearing the way for entry into the marketplace and an assessment of damages. Auxilium Pharmaceuticals et. al. v. Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. (D. Del.) Glenna Gilbert defended Upsher-Smith Laboratories Inc. in Auxilium Pharmaceuticals et. al. v. Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. (D. Del.), a Hatch-Waxman litigation involving patents related to transdermal pharmaceutical products. Edge Capture LLC et al. v. Barclays Bank PLC, UBS AG et al. (N.D. Ill.) In Edge Capture LLC et al. v. Barclays Bank PLC, UBS AG et al. (N.D. Ill.), Glenna Gilbert served as counsel for Edge Specialists and Edge Capture in the early stages of discovery of a patent infringement lawsuit involving automated options trading systems and methods. Cedarapids, Inc. v. CMI Corp. (N.D. Iowa) Tom Oppold served as counsel for CMI in Cedarapids, Inc. v. CMI Corp. (N.D. Iowa), a patent infringement action in which CMI was accused of infringing a Cedarapids patent for drum mixers used for heating and preparing asphalt for roads. After the Markman hearing and filing of summary judgment motions, a stipulation of dismissal was filed by the parties. Farmer Fabrications, Inc. v. Precision Planting, Inc. (C.D. Ill.) Farmer Fabrications, Inc. v. Precision Planting, Inc. (C.D. Ill.) involved a patent infringement lawsuit related to liquid fertilizer applicator tubes mounted to a seed firmer on a planter. Tom Oppold obtained a summary judgment of invalidity of the patent asserted against the client. Augustine Medical v. Cincinnati Sub-Zero et al. (D. Minn.) Craig Lervick represented Augustine Medical in multiple related patent infringement actions regarding convective heating blankets used in medical settings. All of the related actions settled before trial. Craig participated in discovery and pretrial depositions and motions. Datascope Corp. v. Vascular Solutions (D. Minn.) Craig Lervick served as counsel for Datascope in Datascope Corp. v. Vascular Solutions (D. Minn.), a patent infringement lawsuit related to technology involving healing technologies following catheter procedures. The case settled following the filing of summary judgment motions. Quipp Systems, Inc. v. Cannon Equipment Company (D. Minn.) Craig Lervick defended Cannon Equipment in Quipp Systems, Inc. v. Cannon Equipment Company (D. Minn.), a patent infringement action related to newspaper bundle handling equipment. The case settled following pretrial motions. Craig lead the initial stages of discovery in this case and participated in pretrial hearings. Universal Electronics Inc. v. Remote Technologies et al. (C.D. Cal.) Craig Lervick represented Remote Technologies in Universal Electronics Inc. v. Remote Technologies et al. (C.D. Cal.), a patent infringement lawsuit relating to remote control technologies. The case was settled before discovery. Satellite Industries, Inc. v. L.T. Hampel Corp. (D. Minn.) Craig Lervick represented Satellite Industries in Satellite Industries, Inc. v. L.T. Hampel Corp. (D. Minn.), a patent infringement lawsuit relating to door designs for portable bathrooms. Craig negotiated a settlement for the client before the commencement of discovery. Menasha Corp. v. Smyth Companies Inc. (E.D. Wis.) Craig Lervick defended Smyth Companies in Menasha Corp. v. Smyth Companies Inc. (E.D. Wis.), a patent infringement lawsuit involving a patent related to label printing technology. Craig negotiated a favorable settlement for the client before the commencement of discovery. Moose Mountain Toymakers Ltd. v. Majik Ltd. (D.N.J.) In Moose Mountain Toymakers Ltd. v. Majik Ltd. (D.N.J.), a design patent infringement case related to a toy design, Tom Oppold assisted in preparing a successful motion to dismiss on behalf of Majik on the grounds that the accused product, after discounting the functional features, was sufficiently different from the patented design to avoid infringement under the ordinary observer test. Home Products International, LLC v. Hampton Direct Inc. (S.D. Fla.). Tom Oppold and Glenna Gilbert represented Home Products in Home Products International, LLC v. Hampton Direct Inc. (S.D. Fla.). This design patent infringement case was related to a design for hangers. Tom and Glenna obtained a favorable settlement for the client before discovery. Cloud Computing Larkin Hoffman provided primary legal advice to a newly-formed cloud service provider, and drafted all business agreements for use by the provider in rollout of its new offering. Technology Acquisition Transactions Larkin Hoffman represents a national furniture retailer in its acquisition and licensing of SAP enterprise-wide technology. ASP-Based Systems Larkin Hoffman represents a multi-state automobile dealership company with showrooms, warehouses, and parts facilities in an enterprise-wide move from a centralized computer system to an ADP-based ASP model. E-Commerce Larkin Hoffman leads all negotiations and drafted all agreements for an international provider of HVAC products in its launch of a new website, including all work related to creative, development, testing, and integration. Data Security and Contracts Larkin Hoffman represents multiple clients in the retail, manufacturing, distribution, finance and service industries in the drafting of contracts terms establishing data security performance standards and allocation of liability. Data Security Responsibilities of Service Providers Larkin Hoffman represents a national TV/online retailer in its negotiations with third party operators of call centers with access to data. Compliance with International Privacy Directives Larkin Hoffman drafts the privacy policy for an international provider of Usenet access with servers located outside the United States. Protection of Licensed Rights in Bankruptcy Larkin Hoffman successfully represents American companies involved in licensing from foreign businesses in their efforts to have United States law govern with respect to Section 365(n) of the Bankruptcy Act. Online Marketing Larkin Hoffman's Intellectual Property team represents an international e-commerce provider in its negotiations with Google, DoubleClick, and others in contracts for adword campaigns and affiliate marketing programs. International Protection of Marks Larkin Hoffman provides counsel to a domestic company in the marketing industry to protect its marks in 40 countries through a combination of foreign applications and Madrid Protocol applications. Obtaining Rights in Famous Brands and Characters Larkin Hoffman represents the providers of entertainment and retail services in negotiations with the owners of one of the most famous brands and characters in the world. Production of Multimedia Advertising Larkin Hoffman acts as counsel to an international provider of hospitality services in its negotiations with producers, film company, and talent used in the production of marketing films and video for internal, external, and online promotions. Publicity Releases and Marketing Rights Larkin Hoffman prepares online publicity and character release form for use of stories, photographs, and images submitted by customers. Character Development Rights Larkin Hoffman represents a large regional retailer in the negotiation of a contract to exclusively use the character and publicity associated with a celebrity. Rights Affecting Use of Websites Larkin Hoffman drafts terms of use, privacy policy, and DMCA provisions of the website for an international distributor of furniture. Selection of Service Providers Larkin Hoffman represents a large retailer in connection with the terms and requirements for an RFP to be distributed to solicit bids for a new ERP system to be installed at scores of sites in many states. UDRP Proceedings Larkin Hoffman successfully represents trademark owners in UDRP proceedings resulting in the cancellation of registrations. Subscription-Based Online Services Larkin Hoffman develops online agreements to submit a self-defense instruction programming and the subscription agreement to enable end-users to gain access to the instruction tapes. Maintenance and Service Level Agreements Larkin Hoffman negotiates maintenance and service level agreements with ATG relating to a large commerce site. Online Transactions Larkin Hoffman provides representation to a large national retailer in its negotiations with ATG/Sterling for the development and operation of an online shopping cart. Cosmetic Product Compliance Issues Larkin Hoffman assists clients nationally and internationally in the area of cosmetic product compliance. |