Attorney Craig McLaughlin's Legal Cases

Patent infringement

Tempo Lighting, Inc. vs. Tivoli, LLC, 742 F.3d 943 (Fed. Cir. 2014)

Feb 10, 2014

OUTCOME: Affirmed in part, reversed in part.

Represented patent owner Tivoli, LLC in inter partes proceeding and appeal brought by Tempo Lighting, Inc. challenging decision of Board of Patent Appeals which had rejected examiner's construction of ... claim term and agreed with Tivoli's construction. In precedential opinion, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the construction and remanded to the Board to make findings regarding rejections asserted by Tempo in view of Tivoli's construction.

Trademark infringement

Slep-tone Entertainment Corp. v. Backstage Bar and Grill, et al., 2:11-cv-8305-ODW (PLAx), (C.D. Cal. 2013)

Jan 15, 2013

OUTCOME: Obtained judgment in clients' favor. Of the many dozens of defendants in this case, and hundreds of defendants plaintiff has sued across the country, clients were the only defendants to obtain court-awarded attorney's fees as a prevailing party.

Defended restaurant and individual sued in federal court for allegedly infringing trademark of karaoke disc manufacturer. In the order awarding fees to clients, Judge Wright stated that plaintiff took ... "takes trolling to the next level."

Business

Christpher B. Mears, APC, Respondent, v. REM Physical Therapy, Appellant, G042204, (Cal. App., Fourth Dist., Div. Three)

May 24, 2010

OUTCOME: Reversed decision of trial court

Appealed decision of trial court that granted demurrer to personal injury attorney on lienholder's claim in interpleader against attorney for wrongful conversion of funds.

Patent infringement

Scieran Technologies, Inc. v. Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, 04-1319 (SLR), (U.S. Dist. Del., 2005)

Jan 03, 2006

OUTCOME: Case settled under confidential terms.

Led plaintiff’s litigation team in patent infringement case involving a medical device for excising tissue in the back of the human eye.

Copyright infringement

Perine Lowe, Inc. v. Dolly, Inc., SACV02-669 JVS (MLGx), (U.S. Dist. C.D. Cal., 2003).

Oct 31, 2003

OUTCOME: Jury verdict in favor of client for over $3.5 million which was later reduced. Attorneys' fees also awarded to client.

Represented plaintiff in trade dress and copyright infringement action.

Federal crime

United States of America vs. $490,918 in U.S. currency, (U.S. Dist. E.D.N.Y., 2010)

N/A

OUTCOME: Court ordered government of United States to return client's funds wrongfully seized.

In forfeiture lawsuit brought by United States, convinced U.S. Justice Dept. to enter into agreement and court order to return all of client's funds seized from its bank account by U.S. Department of H ... omeland Security.