(Download) "Universal Electric Co. v. A. O. Smith Corp." by Sixth Circuit. United States Court Of Appeals # Book PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Universal Electric Co. v. A. O. Smith Corp.
- Author : Sixth Circuit. United States Court Of Appeals
- Release Date : January 09, 1981
- Genre: Law,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 69 KB
Description
Universal Electric Company (Universal) appeals from a judgment of the district court holding its patents 3,567,973 (973) and 3,732,616 (616) invalid. Patent 973 is a product patent and 616 is a method patent which sets forth the process by which the device in 973 is manufactured and assembled. The abstracts and specifications are identical in the two patents and the claims of 616 track some of those in 973, with added words to indicate that it is a method patent. Patent 973 was issued on March 2, 1971, and 616 was issued on May 15, 1973 as a division of 973. This action was filed by Universal on October 19, 1973, claiming infringement of both patents by A. O. Smith Corporation (Smith) and seeking an injunction, an accounting, triple damages and attorneys fees and costs. In its answer and counterclaim Smith denied infringement and sought a declaratory judgment that both of the patents in suit are invalid. The district court held both patents invalid for obviousness and held that 616 also lacks novelty. We agree with the conclusion that both are invalid for obviousness and affirm without considering the further findings of the district court with respect to infringement.