Toy Helicopter Patent Case Turns on Definition of ‘A’

A toy helicopter patent case needs a redo because “a” can mean “one or more” in a patent claim, the Federal Circuit ruled Feb. 4.

The trial court interpreted the patent as covering a single transmitter signal, rather than one or more. It also wrongly interpreted the word “audit” as it appeared in a settlement agreement, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit said.

Rehco LLC and Spin Master Ltd. signed an agreement to create a toy helicopter. Rehco would develop the helicopter, and Spin Master would pay Rehco royalties on sales for an exclusive license. Rehco owns ...