Should You Get an Exculpatory Patent Opinion? Some Neglected Considerations

In general, when confronted with the threat of a patent infringement suit, companies undertake a simple calculation to determine whether to seek an exculpatory opinion of counsel. Specifically, the potential infringer determines the amount of damages likely to be assessed in the event infringement is found, and whether the enhancement of those damages exceeds the (often considerable) cost of a non-infringement opinion. Of course, the necessity of obtaining an opinion is likely to be affected by the pending <i>en banc</i> opinion from the Federal Circuit in <i>Knorr-Bremse v. Dana Corp.</i> However, assuming that exculpatory opinions will continue to have a role in the willfulness calculus, this simple cost-benefit analysis will remain in use.

14 minute read June 01, 2004 at 10:25 AM

By

Adam Sheehan