Energizer bunny loses patent lawsuit…
Overdue.
A U.S. court’s decision to shoot down the patent infringement claims of a U.S. battery maker has ended a lengthy case against Chinese battery manufacturers and marks the first victory of Chinese enterprises in trade disputes such as this.
Energizer Holdings, the second largest battery maker in the U.S., in 2003 filed complaints against more than 20 companies, including nine Chinese manufacturers, claiming they had infringed on Eveready’s zero-mercury-added patent.
The U.S. Court of Federal Appeals for the Federal Circuit in late April affirmed a previous ruling by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) that Energizer’s claim was not valid. It is the final decision on the case since this was the second time Energizer appealed.
Energizer used to ask Chinese manufacturers for $1 million as patent fees plus 2 to 3 cents on each battery sold. “That was unacceptable since we earn only 1 cent on each battery,” said Wang Jingzhong.
I think the Energizer Bunny is a dork and a crackhead, anyway.
Posted: Tue - May 6, 2008 at 11:05 AM