Orthokinetics, Inc. v. Safety Travel Chairs, Inc. case brief

Orthokinetics, Inc. v. Safety Travel Chairs, Inc. case brief summary
806 F.2d 1565 (1986)

CASE SYNOPSIS

Plaintiff appealed a decision of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, granting judgment notwithstanding the verdict after holding certain patents invalid and defendant corporate officers were not personally liable for patent infringement. Defendants cross-appealed the entry of jury verdicts finding them guilty of patent infringement and misuse.

CASE FACTS
Plaintiff appealed a trial court decision that granted a judgment notwithstanding the verdict, invalidated certain patents, and refused to hold defendant corporate officers personally liable for patent infringement. Defendants cross-appealed, arguing that the trial court erred in entering judgment on the verdict regarding certain patent infringement and misuse determinations.


DISCUSSION

• The court partially affirmed the trial court's decision and partially reversed and remanded. 
• The court ordered that the jury verdicts, finding all of plaintiff's patents valid and finding defendant corporate officers personally liable for patent infringement, be reinstated because there was substantial evidence to support each of the jury's critical findings. 
• The trial court inappropriately invaded the province of the jury, in violation of plaintiff's Seventh Amendment rights. 
• The court affirmed the entry of patent infringement and misuse verdicts against defendants, as such issues were fully and fairly litigated, and the jury's decisions were properly supported by the evidence.

CONCLUSION
The court reversed and remanded the trial court's entry of a judgment notwithstanding the verdict on issues of patent validity and infringement liability, as there was substantial evidence to support the jury's verdict. The court affirmed the entry of a properly supported jury verdict against defendants, regarding patent infringement and misuse.

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