Court Upholds $42.5 Million Fake Christmas-Tree Patent Verdict

The Federal Circuit affirmed a Minnesota jury’s $42.5 million patent-infringement verdict against Polygroup Ltd., a large manufacturer of artificial, pre-lit Christmas trees.

Polygroup challenged the validity of Taiwan-based Willis Electric Co.'s patent and sought a new trial, arguing an expert witness hired by Willis improperly inflated a key damages estimate. But Chief Judge Kimberly A. Moore rejected both arguments Tuesday.

The US District Court for the District of Minnesota was on solid footing when it admitted the work of the expert, Michele Riley of Stout IP, Moore said in a precedential opinion. “Reasonable minds may disagree on whether the ...