Cellular phone company uses another's technology for signal transmission: Infringement of patent: Lost royalties: Verdict

Law Reporter, May 2003

Harris Corp. v. Ericsson, Inc., U.S. Dist. Ct., N.D. Tex., No. 98-CV-2903, Oct. 29, 2002.

Harris Corporation held a patent on a cellular communications system. The system equalizes transmissions so that signals can be sent from base stations and received without distortion on mobile phones. Ericsson, Inc., allegedly made use of the patented technology in developing their cellular base stations and handsets. The patent expired in July 2000.

Harris sued Ericsson, alleging infringement of patent. Plaintiff sought damages for past royalties, willful infringement, interest, and attorneys' fees.

A jury found that defendant had willfully infringed the patent and awarded plaintiff $61.25 million in compensatory damages.

The parties' posttrial motions are pending.

Plaintiff's experts were Anthony Acapor, wireless systems, San Diego, Cal.; Robert Turner, patents/trademarks/copyrights, Dallas, Tex.; and Walt Bratic, accounting, Houston, Tex.

Defendant's experts were Roger Carlile, business management, Dallas, Tex.; Alan Gordon, patents/trademarks/copyrights, Houston, Tex.; Peter Monsen, wireless systems, Stowe, Vt.; and John Proakis, wireless systems, Boston, Mass.