The United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida found Wednesday that DeAngelo Marine Exhaust willfully infringed on two of Marine Exhaust Systems Inc.’s U.S. patents and that these patents are valid and enforceable, Marine Exhaust Systems announced today.
The court also awarded Marine Exhaust $92,804 in damages and agreed to consider additional losses, as well as possibly tripling the final amount. The court found DeAngelo Marine Exhaust infringed on Marine Exhaust’s U.S. patents 5,740,670 and 6,035,633 for water-jacketed exhaust pipes for marine exhaust systems.
DeAngelo Marine Exhaust stated it plans to appeal this decision to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which is the sole appellate court for reviewing patent infringement decisions.
“We’re very pleased with the court’s decision,” said Marine Exhaust vice president Sheila Prieschl. “This is a vindication of inventor Woodrow Woods’ hard work and innovation, as well as our intellectual property rights. We will continue to bring pioneering solutions to the design, production and service of marine diesel exhaust components.”
“Our counsel have assured us that the jury’s verdict will not be allowed to stand based on prior art and other factors,” DeAngelo Marine Exhaust said in a statement. “In addition, at our request, the patents are being re-examined by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and, in due course will, we believe, be held invalid by that office.
“From our customers’ standpoint, the decision has no effect whatsoever on the products we manufacture,” the company added.
Marine Exhaust Systems manufactures diesel exhaust system packages, providing a complete package from turbo to transom.
