Import Block Against Corning Rival’s Fiber Equipment Upheld (1)

The Federal Circuit refused to invalidate several Corning Optical Communications LLC fiber optic equipment patents on Thursday after retailer FS.com Inc. challenged an import blockade imposed against some of its products.

In a precedential decision, the appeals panel agreed with Corning and the International Trade Commission that two of the patents are enabled and that another patent’s definition of the term “a front opening” is correct, lending support to the general exclusion order prohibiting the importation of the products.

The definition had been key to determining whether FS’ modules containing “multiple openings separated by material or dividers” infringe one ...