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Jury’s Verdict in Zeiss Versus Signet Patent Suit Is Inconclusive

July 19, 2010 12:01 AM

SAN DIEGO—A long running patent infringement lawsuit brought by Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH and Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH against Signet Armorlite, Inc. entered a new phase last month with the conclusion of a jury trial in U.S. District Court here from which neither lens maker emerged as a clear victor.

The 18-day trial, presided over by Judge Dana M. Sabraw, represents the culmination of a three-year lawsuit concerning Signet Armorlite’s alleged infringement of Carl Zeiss Vision’s U.S. patent number 6,089,713, issued in July 2000.

Carl Zeiss Vision first sued Signet Armorlite in May 2007, claiming the company infringed its patent through sales of spectacle lenses, including its Kodak Unique brand. Signet Armorlite responded with counterclaims in November 2007, seeking declaratory judgment of noninfringement, invalidity and unenforceability of the patent. The company also made counterclaims against Carl Zeiss Vision for state and federal unfair competition, interference with contractual relationships, interference with prospective advantage and antitrust violations.

According to court records, the jury’s finding on claims were in favor of Signet Armorlite, and its finding on counterclaims were in favor of Carl Zeiss Vision. A mistrial was declared on remaining claims. Attorneys for both companies were instructed to meet with Judge Sabraw to confer about the judgment, which could result in another trial.

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