Federal court upholds jury verdict in favor of MPT’s Smart Surface Placard patents

Federal District Judge Patricia Gaughan upheld a jury verdict in favor of MPT, Inc., the owner of two patents licensed to The Kennedy Group, covering the use of The Kennedy Group’s Container Placards. In doing so, Judge Gaughan granted a permanent injunction against Marathon Labels, Inc. of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Polymeric Consulting LLC of Enfield, Connecticut, and anyone acting in concert with them, from using or selling the Smart Surface Placard within the United States.  

‘We’re extremely pleased with the positive outcome of this case and the judge’s injunction barring the sales and use of our Smart Surface Placard,’ said The Kennedy Group president, Mike Kennedy. ‘We believe it sends a strong, clear message that we’re serious about supporting our patents and our company’s intellectual property. Additionally, we hope it will deter further patent infringements and help to preserve the integrity of our industry as a whole.’

MPT filed suit against Marathon and Polymeric for infringements of patents US 5,417,790 and US RE37,164 which cover the method of labeling and re-labeling reusable containers popularized by The Kennedy Group’s Container placard products. In a court case that lasted two years, the jury and Judge Gaughan found that the patents are indeed valid and enforceable, and that Marathon and Polymeric infringed the patents. It was also ruled that MPT was entitled to money damages for the infringement.