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Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Brazilian Co. Can Be Sued for U.S. Patent Violations

(CN) - A Pennsylvania medical-device maker can sue a Brazilian company for patent infringement in U.S. courts, the Federal Circuit ruled, because the foreign company imports and sells an allegedly infringing bone-plating system in the United States.

The federal appeals court revived a lawsuit brought by Synthes against GMReis.

In a federal lawsuit filed in California, Synthes accused GMReis of selling products that infringe on its locking bone plates, used to stabilize fractured bones or bone fragments during healing.

The defendant successfully moved to dismiss the claim for lack of personal jurisdiction, saying it didn't have "continuous and systematic contacts with California."

However, the Washington, D.C.-based federal appeals court disagreed that the court lacked specific jurisdiction over the case, since GMReis deliberately brought its products to a U.S. trade show.

"[W]e conclude that GMReis purposefully directed its activities at parties in the United States," Judge Schall wrote.

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