07.31.2007: Court Enjoins Thomson Financial And Awards $84.6 Million

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- In a sweeping condemnation of Thomson Corporation and iDeal, LLC, a United States District Judge in Pittsburgh, late yesterday, entered a permanent injunction, doubled a jury's damage award and added $7.6 million in prejudgment interest, bringing the total judgment amount to $84.6 million.  The case involved a claim for patent infringement brought by MuniAuction Inc., a small Pittsburgh company, whose founders invented a new system for auctioning municipal bonds using the Internet.  The invention became an instant success and won awards for innovation for the City of Pittsburgh from Harvard University and elsewhere.

The case was tried before a federal court jury in October 2006 and resulted in a finding of willful infringement of $38.4 million.  After trial, the Court was presented with a bevy of post-trial motions which were addressed by the district court.  Motions for a new trial and for judgment in favor of Thomson and iDeal were denied, but the Court granted a permanent injunction prohibiting the future use and sale of the infringing Thomson/iDeal Parity electronic bid submission system and increased damages because of the defendants' willful infringement.

Raymond Niro, lead counsel for MuniAuction said, "Our client is thrilled that its patent rights were upheld and that the jury's decision was sustained.  The message is clear -- those who willfully infringe a United States patent cannot do so simply because they have the resources to push the little guy out of business.  Thomson ignored MuniAuction's rights for more than six years as the litigation went forward, hoping to wear down MuniAuction and win simply because of its size and power.  But it didn't work.  Both the jury and the district court vindicated MuniAuction's rights."

A copy of the Court's decision and orders can be accessed at  http://www.niroscavone.com/document.php?Id=124.   The case is Civil Action No.  01-1003, MuniAuction Inc. v. Thomson Corp. and iDeal LLC in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Judge Gary L. Lancaster.  Any inquiries can be addressed to Raymond P. Niro at (312) 377-3232 or rniro@nshn.com.

 

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