미국 연방 순회 항소법원은 에너지 히팅(Energy Heating, LLC)과 히트 HOTF(Heat On-The-Fly, LLC )의 특허 침해소송을 판결했다.

배심원단은 HOTF가 불법 판매/광고 관행에 고의로 참석했고, Energy 히팅의 계약상 권리와 장래의 비즈니스 관계를 불법적으로 방해했으며, 유효한 특허를 가진 것으로 악의적으로 진술했는 것을 발견했다.

연방 순회 항소 법원은 불평등한 행동과 불법적인 간섭의 발견으로 인해 특허를 집행할 수 없다는 점을 확인했다. HOTF는 특허에 관련된 기술을 사용한 외부 행사를 61회나 진행했다.

CAFC Confirmed Unenforceability of Patent Based on Inequitable Conduct

Energy Heating, LLC v. Heat On-The-Fly, LLC 

Heat On-The-Fly (HOTF) patent relates to hydraulic fracturing (related to gas extraction).

• Before the critical date, HOTF conducted 61 fracing operations using the technology claimed in the patent.

• HOTF did not disclose this pre-critical date activities to the PTO during the prosecution.

• The district court found HOTF tried to deceive the PTO and concluded that the patent was unenforceable for inequitable conduct.

• Federal Circuit affirmed and determined that not disclosing 61 fracing operations constituted the inequitable conduct. 

To prevail on inequitable conduct, the accused infringer must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the applicant:

• knew of the reference or prior commercial sale;

• knew that it was material;and

• made a deliberate decision to withhold it.

Regeneron Pharm., Inc. v. Merus N.V., 864 F.3d 1343, 1351 (Fed. Cir. 2017)

• A use may be experimental only if it is designed to (1) test claimed features of the invention or (2) determine whether an invention will work for its intended purpose.

• If the experimentation is unrelated to any claim in the patent, it is not construed as an experimental exception of on-sale and public-use bar.