Signify Avoids Constructive Patent-Transfer Fraud Claim, For Now

A federal court in California tossed a China-based lighting manufacturer’s claim that Signify Holding B.V. unlawfully acquired three dozen patents from a now dissolved company for “less than reasonably equivalent value.”

Jiaxing Super Lighting Electric Appliance Co. alleged that debtor Lunera Lighting Inc. sold 36 patents to a broker for $125,000, and that broker transferred the patents to Signify for $160,000.

In its second amended complaint, Super Lighting estimated a $5.5 million to $6.9 million valuation range for the patents based on “financial statements and historical sales and projections.” The patents were related to structures and circuits for products such ...