Victoria’s Secret Web Entities Win on Patent Venue at Fed. Cir.

Victoria’s Secret‘s subsidiaries that run its website can’t be sued for patent infringement in Texas even though a related company has physical stores there, the Federal Circuit ruled.

Andra Group LP sued four related companies alleging the retailer’s website infringes its virtual fitting room patent. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas found only Victoria’s Secret Stores LLC, which does business in the district, may be sued there. It dismissed claims against Victoria’s Secret Stores Brand Management Inc., Victoria’s Secret Direct Brand Management LLC, and L Brands Inc.

The Federal Circuit affirmed the ruling dismissing the ...