Luminara Worldwide, LLC v. Liown Elecs. Co. Ltd., No. 15-1671 (Fed. Cir. 2016)
Annotate this CaseThe patents teach improved techniques for making artificial candles flicker like real candles and were developed for the DIsneyland “Haunted Mansion.” In 2008, Disney granted Candella a worldwide license to practice the technology. In 2010, Candella approached Liown to manufacture its candles. Negotiations broke down. Liown filed a patent application in China on flameless candles, allegedly based on confidential information obtained during negotiations with Candella. In 2012, Liown began selling flameless candles in the U.S. Disney and Candella amended the license to permit Candella to sublicense, to assign its interest with Disney’s consent, and to sue without Disney’s consent. Candella sued Liown for infringement. The parties settled and reopened negotiations for Liown to manufacture flameless candles using the technology. The relationship again deteriorated. Days after receiving its own U.S. patent covering similar artificial flame technology, Liown advised Candella that it would no longer comply with the settlement agreement and allegedly began selling its own flameless candles to Candella’s exclusive customers based on information it learned after the settlement proceedings. Candella again filed suit. The court granted a preliminary injunction, based on the alleged infringement without reaching the alternative ground of tortious interference. The Federal Circuit vacated, finding a substantial question of patent validity.
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