MARSHALL -- LG Electronics Inc. was found guilty for infringing two patents for smartphones that were owned by Core Wireless Licensing.
The Korean electronics company failed to convince the jury that the two disputed patents claimed by Core Wireless had no basis. In the span of a four-day trial, the jury found LG to be liable of infringing on the inventions of two Nokia engineers, namely, Benoist Sebire and Jyri Suvanen.
The patent company was granted $2.28 million in damages following the decision of a Texas federal jury on the matter. Core Wireless brought the case against LG before the Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas.
One of the disputed patents pertained to the technology that aimed to improve the life of a battery for the gadgets. The second one was intended to provide better voice quality to smartphones.
The award for past damages was based on the royalty that should have been received by the inventors, which amounts to 6 cents per unit. This covers sales made following the release and sales of LG smartphones carrying the said technologies in 2010. These products were generally sold and marketed in the United States.
John Lindgren, CEO of the parent company of Core Wireless called Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc., was glad to win the case. The executive also extended his gratitude to the jury that saw the need to defend the rights of the Nokia inventors.
"We are honored to have defended the inventions of two Nokia engineers, Benoist Sebire and Jyri Suvanen, who have contributed a number of significant advancements to cellular telecommunications,” said Lindgren in a statement via Law 360. "And we thank the jury for recognizing their innovations.”
Aside from the damages worth $2.28 million, Conversant also seeks an order from U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap for future sales. That is, LG must continue to pay the royalty of 6 cents per unit for the future sales of gadgets carrying the disputed patents. This means LG is liable to pay the royalty throughout the remaining life of the patents.
Based on court records, one of the patents will expire by 2028. On top of all these, Conversant wants to further determine the feasibility of adding enhanced damages to the list.
In another statement regarding the case via PR Newswire, Lindgren reiterated the company’s gratitude over the decision. In the same statement, Lindgren said the ruling gives more credibility and reliability to the portfolio of Core Wireless.
"We are very pleased with the verdict," said Lindgren in his statement via PR Newswire. "This confirms the strength of the Core Wireless portfolio."
Core Wireless obtained the two disputed patents along with 2,000 more wireless patents as well as patent applications from the portfolio of Nokia Corporation in 2011.
Marc A. Fenster, Reza Mirzaie, Adam S. Hoffman, Neil A. Rubin, Jacob Buczko and James N. Pickens of Russ August & Kabat represented the plaintiffs. Kayvan B. Noroozi of Noroozi PC was also part of Core Wireless’ legal team. Elizabeth L. DeRieux of Capshaw Derieux also served as an attorney in the case.