Back to Archived News
Morrison & Foerster Secures Victory for Funai Against 14 Companies in Patent Infringement Suit
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
San Francisco, CA -- Morrison & Foerster LLP secured a victory for Japan-based Funai Electric Co., Ltd., and its affiliate, New Jersey-based Funai Corporation, Inc. (collectively "Funai"), in a patent infringement case against 14 manufacturers and importers of digital televisions and other related products. An Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") of the U.S. International Trade Commission ("ITC") issued an Initial Determination ("ID") concluding that accused digital televisions of Vizio, TPV, Amtran, Proview, Syntax-Brillian and other respondents infringe asserted claims of Funai Electric’s U.S. Patent No. 6,115,074. Funai is seeking a limited exclusion order barring importation of the infringing products into the United States as well as a cease and desist order to prevent sale or distribution of such infringing products in the United States.
The Investigation before the ITC began in November 2007, after Funai filed a formal complaint alleging violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The ALJ’s ID is subject to review by the full Commission and, if reviewed by the Commission, a final determination is expected by March 2009. If the Commission elects not to review the ALJ’s ID, it becomes the final determination of the ITC 60 days after the ID was issued.
Morrison & Foerster is the largest international firm in Japan and is recognized for its award winning intellectual property practice. This is the second major patent infringement case victory in a month on behalf of a Japan-based company. In October 2008, the firm won a landmark case for Pioneer Corporation against Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and its affiliates, securing a jury verdict of $59.3 million.
The Morrison & Foerster winning team was led by partner Karl Kramer, with assistance from Harold McElhinny, Hector Gallegos, Brian Busey, Louise Stoupe, Moto Araki, Nicole Smith, Mark Danis, and Anthony Press, and as well as associates Teresa Summers, Jun Tsutsumi, Alex Yap, Bita Rahebi, Marc Sharp, Hiroki Suyama, and Kevin Jones.
About Morrison & Foerster
With more than 1,000 lawyers in key finance and technology centers internationally, Morrison & Foerster offers clients comprehensive, global legal services in business and litigation. The firm is distinguished by its unsurpassed expertise in finance, life sciences, and technology, its legendary litigation skills, and an unrivaled reach across the Pacific Rim, particularly in Japan and China. For more information, visit www.mofo.com.
Back to Archived News
