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Admissibility of Settlement Communications in Patent Infringement Rule 11 Proceedings

By Michael D. Kurzer and Stacey J. Rappaport
May 31, 2006

Plaintiffs bringing patent infringement cases should ensure that they have made an adequate pre-filing inquiry as to the viability of their claims before initiating litigation. Without such an investigation, plaintiffs and their attorneys risk sanctions under Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. In the sanctions context, Rule 408 of the Federal Rules of Evidence does not protect settlement communications from admissibility. Statements made for settlement purposes may be admitted to determine whether a plaintiff conducted an adequate pre-litigation inquiry under Rule 11 into the viability of its claims.

What Does Rule 11 Require in a Patent Infringement Pre-filing Inquiry?

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