Opinion ID: 208578
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: FMC's Motion for JMOL of Induced Infringement

Text: FMC moved for JMOL, asserting that Ecolab induced infringement of its patent claims. To prevail on an induced infringement claim, the patentee must establish that the alleged infringer's actions induced infringing acts and that he knew or should have known his actions would induce actual infringements. DSU Med. Corp. v. JMS Co., 471 F.3d 1293, 1304 (Fed.Cir.2006) (en banc in relevant part) (quoting Manville Sales Corp. v. Paramount Sys., Inc., 917 F.2d 544, 554 (Fed.Cir.1990)). Here, substantial evidence supports the jury's verdict that Ecolab did not induce infringement of the '676 patent claims because the jury could have reasonably concluded that Ecolab lacked the required intent. See Kinetic Concepts, Inc. v. Blue Sky Med. Group, Inc., 554 F.3d 1010, 1024 (Fed.Cir.2009) (holding substantial evidence of lack of intent supported the jury's verdict of no induced infringement). Thus, we affirm the district court's denial of JMOL. Ecolab presented evidence from which the jury could have reasonably concluded that Ecolab personnel reasonably believed that FMC's '676 patent claims did not cover the use of Inspexx. For example, Dr. Cords testified regarding the three antimicrobial components of Inspexx, the synergistic effect achieved by that combination, and the fact that the Oakes patentwhich was prior art against the '676 patentdisclosed that same combination of antimicrobial agents. From that testimony, the jury could have reasonably concluded that Ecolab lacked the intent required for induced infringement. See DSU, 471 F.3d at 1307. Namely, the jury could have concluded that Ecolab personnel reasonably believed that the use of Inspexx would not infringe FMC's patent claims because Inspexx contains a synergistic combination of three antimicrobial agents, and thus does not consist essentially of PAA. Dr. Cords's testimony also supports the conclusion that Ecolab personnel reasonably believed that the '676 patent did not cover Inspexx because Inspexx contains the same combination of antimicrobial agents disclosed in the prior art Oakes patent. While evidence of intent is not required to prove infringement, it is required to prove induced infringement. See id. Thus, even though Ecolab's product was ultimately found to infringe, the jury had substantial evidence from which it could have reasonably concluded that Ecolab did not induce infringement because it lacked the required intent.