Intel Corp. v. ULSI System Technology, Inc.

782 F. Supp. 1467, 1991 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18473, 1991 WL 287352
CourtDistrict Court, D. Oregon
DecidedDecember 11, 1991
DocketCiv. 91-742-JO
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 782 F. Supp. 1467 (Intel Corp. v. ULSI System Technology, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Oregon primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Intel Corp. v. ULSI System Technology, Inc., 782 F. Supp. 1467, 1991 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18473, 1991 WL 287352 (D. Or. 1991).

Opinion

OPINION

FRYE, District Judge:

The matter before the court is the motion of plaintiff, Intel Coloration (Intel), for a preliminary injunction (#4).

BACKGROUND

Intel is a manufacturer of math coprocessors, microprocessors, semiconductor memories, and microprocessor systems. Intel is the assignee of U.S. Letters Patent 4,338,-675 and U.S. Reissue Letters Patent 33,629 (collectively, the “Palmer Patent”) for an invention entitled “Numeric Data Processor.” The Palmer Patent describes an architecture and method for performing floating point arithmetic operations in a numeric data processor. The Palmer Patent is incorporated into an Intel product known as the 80387 math coprocessor (the “80387 coprocessor”). 1 At issue in this litigation is the validity of the Palmer Patent and the alleged infringement of the Palmer Patent by defendant, ULSI System Technology, Inc. (ULSI).

ULSI manufactures a product known as the US83C87 math coprocessor (the “US83C87 coprocessor”). Intel alleges that ULSI’s US83C87 coprocessor incorporates key elements of the Palmer Patent. Intel contends that ULSI has infringed the Palmer Patent by making and selling, and inducing others to make and sell, the US83C87 coprocessor and similar math coprocessors. Intel also contends that ULSI uses a demonstration diskette that falsely identifies the US83C87 coprocessor as an Intel product, thereby misleading consumers as to the origin and sponsorship of the US83C87 coprocessor.

On July 29, 1991, Intel filed this action against ULSI for patent infringement under United States patent law; for unfair competition and false designation of origin under the Lanham Trade-Mark Act; and for unfair competition under the laws of the State of Oregon. Intel seeks a preliminary injunction enjoining ULSI from (1) continuing to infringe or induce infringement of the Palmer Patent; (2) selling math coprocessors with demonstration diskettes that identify ULSI math coprocessors as Intel math coprocessors; and (3) continuing to make false representations of the origin and sponsorship of ULSI’s math *1470 coprocessors. On August 12, 1991, the Honorable Malcolm M. Marsh, United States District Judge, signed a stipulated order permanently enjoining ULSI “from selling or continuing to permit others to sell, any US83C87 math coprocessor with a diagnostic or demonstration diskette that identifies the ULSI math coprocessor as an Intel math coprocessor.” Stipulated Permanent Injunction, p. 2, Ins. 6-9. Thus, Intel now seeks only to enjoin ULSI’s alleged infringement of the Palmer Patent.

CONTENTIONS OF THE PARTIES

Intel contends that it has met each of the elements necessary for the issuance of a preliminary injunction under 35 U.S.C. § 283: (1) that the Palmer Patent is valid and enforceable; (2) that ULSI’s US83C87 coprocessor infringes the Palmer Patent; (3) that Intel is being irreparably harmed by ULSI’s continued infringement of the Palmer Patent; and (4) that the balance of hardships and public interest weigh in favor of granting the injunction.

ULSI contends that Intel has failed to show a likelihood that it will succeed on the merits of its claims of validity and infringement. ULSI further contends that Intel cannot show either that it will be irreparably harmed or that the balance of hardships or public interest weighs in its favor.

APPLICABLE STANDARD

Under 35 U.S.C. § 283, a district court “may grant injunctions in accordance with the principles of equity to prevent the violation of any right secured by patent, on such terms as the court deems reasonable.” In addressing a motion for a preliminary injunction under section 283, the court considers four factors: (1) the movant’s likelihood of success on the merits; (2) the threat of irreparable harm to the movant should the motion be denied; (3) the balance of hardship between the parties; and (4) the impact an injunction will have on the public interest. We Care, Inc. v. Ultra-Mark Int’l Corp., 930 F.2d 1567, 1570 (Fed.Cir.1991). No one of these factors is necessarily dispositive. Chrysler Motors Corp. v. Auto Body Panels, Inc., 908 F.2d 951, 953 (Fed.Cir.1990). A court should consider and assess each of the four factors, balancing each against the others and against the magnitude of the relief requested. Id.

ANALYSIS

A. Likelihood of Success on the Merits

Under 35 U.S.C. § 282, a patent is presumed valid. “This presumption of validity places the burden of persuasion as well as the burden of going forward on the party asserting invalidity.” Chrysler Motors Corp., 908 F.2d at 953. At the preliminary injunction stage, however, this presumption does not apply. Nutrition 21 v. United States, 930 F.2d 867, 869 (Fed.Cir.1991). Because of the extraordinary nature of injunctive relief, “the patentee carries the burden of showing likelihood of success on the merits with respect to the patent’s validity, enforceability, and infringement.” Id. (emphasis in original). This does not mean that a movant must prove beyond question its contentions of validity and infringement; rather, the patentee need only make a “clear showing” that its patent is valid and infringed. Id. at 869-70 (citing Atlas Powder Co. v. Ireco Chems., 773 F.2d 1230, 1233 (Fed.Cir.1985)).

In addressing the likelihood of success on the merits, ULSI contends that Intel has failed to demonstrate that it infringed the Palmer Patent. ULSI first argues that the US83C87 coprocessor does not infringe the Palmer Patent because it does not incorporate any of the five claims of the Palmer Patent. ULSI next argues that the Palmer Patent is invalid because all of the claims of the reissued patent are obvious in light of the prior art which Intel allegedly withheld from the Patent Office. Finally, ULSI makes two attacks on Intel’s attempt to enforce the Palmer Patent. ULSI argues that inequitable conduct by Intel during the application for the Palmer Patent bars any attempt to enforce the patent. ULSI also argues that a cross-licensing agreement between Intel and Hewlett-Packard provides ULSI with a defense against the infringement claim of Intel.

*1471 1. Infringement

Generally, a finding of infringement depends on whether the accused device falls within the scope of the asserted claims as properly interpreted. Envirotech Corp. v. Al George, Inc. 730 F.2d 753

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Intel Corporation v. Ulsi System Technology, Inc.
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782 F. Supp. 1467, 1991 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18473, 1991 WL 287352, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/intel-corp-v-ulsi-system-technology-inc-ord-1991.