I'll See You in Court—Overview of a Patent Infringement Trial

For those whose sole exposure to a trial of any type was through television or the movies, what actually occurs in a patent infringement trial can be enlightening and surprising. Because patent litigation can be very time consuming, expensive, and uncertain as to the result, it is generally initiated only after a thorough evaluation of the case and reasonable efforts to resolve the matter amicably have failed.

If a patent owner concludes that a third party is infringing his or her patent, a suit against the alleged infringer may be initiated in a federal district court. Such an action would generally seek remedies such as an injunction, which is a court order requiring the infringer to terminate the objected-to activity, and other appropriate remedies including damages. A second route to trial in a patent infringement matter is through the declaratory judgment action. If one is accused of patent infringement, one can initiate a suit against the patentee, seeking to have the objected-to practice declared a non-infringing activity and/or seeking to have the patent declared invalid.

Before a trial, a complaint is filed alleging the basis of the claim,and requesting certain remedies. In response, an answer to the complaint is filed, and, subsequently, discovery is initiated. This may include depositions of individuals having factual knowledge relevant to the case and, in some instances, experts; requests for production of documents; requests for admission of facts, thereby eliminating the need to prove the same at trial; and written questions, which are called interrogatories. There is also an opportunity to make certain motions. Typically, the judge who is handling the case conducts one or more conferences to deal with matters that require court intervention prior to trial.

During the trial, each party is given the opportunity to present an opening statement, summarizing the issues involved in the case and what it hopes to establish.

The party that has initiated the suit, the plaintiff, presents its case first. Apart from certain matters stipulated to by the parties, most of the presentation involves live witnesses who are interrogated initially by the party whose witness it is. The opposing counsel has the opportunity to cross examine (i.e., ask questions of the witness within the scope of the testimony originally given). Such cross examination provides an opportunity for the other side to elicit additional information from the witness, which may weaken the witness’s testimony.

As part of the interrogation of witnesses, various exhibits, such as documents and physical objects, may be introduced into evidence and are the subject of questions asked of the witness. The information may be delivered to the court and jury by a witness discussing documents or objects, or by film or computerized animation. Similarly, the patent drawings, text, and patent claims may be the subject of large boards on which the graphics and language of interest appear.

Two types of witnesses are generally involved in a patent case. First, fact witnesses are there to testify regarding their knowledge of the case. They are not permitted to render opinions. Expert witnesses, on the other hand, have, by education and experience, expertise in a particular field. Generally, other than through involvement in the case, they do not have prior knowledge of the facts of the case. These witnesses are permitted to provide opinions.

In patent infringement cases, it is fairly common to have a technical expert who can testify as to the technical aspects of the patent in question as well as previously known technology (“prior art”).

Depending upon the issues in the case, there also may be a patent expert who, typically, would be an intellectual property lawyer specializing in patent law. A damages expert who can testify as to the economic impact of the infringement is also frequently involved.

During the course of the trial, the court frequently is asked to make rulings as to matters involving procedure, rules of evidence, and legalities. At the end of the trial, each party’s counsel makes a presentation summarizing the case in a manner most favorable to its client. After that, the judge or jury, under suitable instructions from the judge, renders a decision on each issue to be determined in the trial.

Among the challenges presented in trial presentation of a patent infringement case is the need to make sure that the technology involved in the invention is presented in a clear manner so that the jury and judge will have an accurate understanding of the technology involved. In addition, there must be a clear presentation regarding the patented invention with particular emphasis on the patent claims, which define the property rights and the legal principles applicable to the issues involved in the case.

Arnold B. Silverman is chair of the Intellectual Property Department and a member of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

For more information, contact A.B. Silverman at Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 600 Grant Street, 44th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219; (412) 566-6000; fax (412) 566-6099; e-mail abs@escm.com.