Federal Circuit Upholds Judgment in TriStrata’s Patent Infringement Case Against Mary Kay
Jan 2007
Minneapolis (January 2007) – On January 10, 2007, the United States Courts of Appeals upheld a judgment against Mary Kay Inc. in excess of $41 million. The case was heard by the Federal Circuit on Tuesday, January 9, 2007, and the court summarily affirmed the judgment the following day.
In March 2005, a jury found that Mary Kay infringed several patents owned by TriStrata Technology Inc. related to alpha-hydroxyacid (AHA) skin care technology and awarded TriStrata more than $26 million in damages. On March 31, 2006, the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware issued final judgment affirming the jury verdict and granting prejudgment verdict interest to TriStrata. The Court also granted TriStrata’s motion for a permanent injunction enjoining Mary Kay against making or selling the infringing products. With interest, the total award amounted to more than $41 million.
"We are extremely pleased that the Federal Circuit ruled with such dispatch on the appeal," said Michael V. Ciresi, chairman of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. and co-lead trial counsel for Tristrata. "It is consistent with our view that the jury’s determination was absolutely correct."
"TriStrata has developed pioneering technology. This case illustrates the importance of the patent system in protecting such technology," said Jan M. Conlin of Robins, Kaplan Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., co-lead trial counsel.
TriStrata is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NeoStrata Company, Inc., a research-based dermatological company.
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