Injunction for Disney-Owned Flameless Candle Patent Nixed

A reservation of rights for the patent licensor’s affiliates was not enough to defeat the licensee’s attempts to sue an alleged infringer, but a substantial question as to the patent’s validity means a preliminary injunction was improper, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled Feb. 29 (Luminara Worldwide, LLC v. Liown Electronics Co. Ltd., 2016 BL 58715, Fed. Cir., 2015-1671, 2/29/16).

Luminara Worldwide LLC’s predecessor had licensed several patents covering flameless candles, including U.S. Patent No. 8,696,166 from Disney Enterprises, Inc., which had developed the technology for use with rides in its theme parks. Luminara ...