A team of attorneys from Vedder Price’s Intellectual Property practice group won the appeal for client Magotteaux in the U.S. Court of Appeals before the Federal Circuit in AIA Engineering v. Magotteaux Intl. today. In a continuation of infringement litigation between Magotteaux and AIA, the court reversed summary judgment earlier decided by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

“It’s a precedential opinion,” said John J. Gresens, Lead Counsel for Magotteaux as well as a Shareholder and member of the firm’s Intellectual Property group. “This victory is very exciting for our client. It fits well with their business strategy, and will be an effective tool in accomplishing their commercial objectives, including preserving their position in the marketplace. We were faced with a bad decision on summary judgment, and now it’s been roundly reversed and remanded.”

Mr. Robert S. Rigg, who argued the case before the court, commented that “The Federal Circuit agreed with us on every single issue that was presented to the court and unanimously adopted our position.” The case, says Mr. Rigg, “has impact far beyond the District Court. As a result of this decision, the ITC is reinstating a previously granted limited exclusion order and cease and desist order against AIA.”

Magotteaux, a long-time client of the firm, manufactures composite wear products for the mining, cement, aggregate and energy commercial markets and industries. The patented technology in this case concerns metal ceramic grinding elements. Mr. Gresens and Mr. Rigg were assisted by associates William J. Voller, III, Scott D. Barnett and John E. Munro.