$3.4 Million Verdict in Elk Call Infringment Case

[JoseCuervo]

Who says Hunting is not a big business???

Company to pay more than $3.4 million for patent violation

Associated Press


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - A judge doubled a jury's award and ordered one hunting supply company to pay another company more than $3.4 million for violating patents on elk and turkey calls.

Federal judge John Jarvey ruled on Tuesday that Hunter's Specialties, of Cedar Rapids, willfully infringed on a patent held by Primos Inc., of Mississippi.

A jury found in April that Hunter's Specialties had knowingly copied two game-call patents held by Primos. The devices, used to lure elk and turkey within hunters' range, cost as little as $5.

Hunter's did not stop selling the elk calling device after Primos filed the lawsuit, Jarvey said. He doubled the jury award, increasing it to $2,316,306, then added that to the initial jury award and compensatory damages of $1,158,153.

"Hunter's Specialties' conduct was inappropriate, but not egregious," Jarvey said.

Hunter's argued that enhancing the damages might force it out of business.

Jarvey disagreed, saying Hunter's is a "fairly large and quite successful company" and "is able to sustain enhanced damages."

Larry Gutz, a lawyer for Will Primos, the owner of Primos Inc., said his client gained "no personal pleasure," from the trial and judge's order.

"But he found it necessary to enter into this litigation to protect his intellectual property rights," Gutz said.

 

[Wally Dog]

EG,
You take the afternoon off?
WD

 

[JoseCuervo]

In Japan for the week... So it is actually Friday morning....

You got hunting plans for Sunday, the 26th???

Want to borrow Oscar's video camera and see what is flying over by the lake and getting shot by kids????

 

[Wally Dog]

EG,
No firm plans yet....but there will be a plan.
Is the lake the right place to go?
I'm thinking some closer in spots could be more of a slam.
When you get home?
WD

 

[JoseCuervo]

Back now.... Kind of groggy and will head to soccer in a bit.

They are starting to come off the lake in the morning, and have a few select fields. Sometimes they seem to want to hit the fields on the Northside in Sept, depending on the corn situtation.

We can discuss, as we have plenty of time.... Ummm... like 2 weeks....