Patent Judge Wins $125,000 in Whistleblower Retaliation Case

The Department of Commerce must pay $125,000 in damages to a US Patent and Trademark Office tribunal judge for retaliation, a federal board ruled.

Judge Michael Fitzpatrick will receive the compensatory damages plus $449 in consequential damages, the US Merit Systems Protection Board ruled in an April 28 decision. Fitzpatrick said he suffered retaliation after raising concerns about agency officials interfering in a Nike Inc. and Adidas AG patent dispute decision.

The April decision is one of the largest damages awards granted by the MSPB in the last decade, according to a press release issued by Steptoe LLP, Fitzpatrick’s counsel. ...