Opinion ID: 286288
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Allowance of Attorney Fees

Text: 42 35 U.S.C. 285 provides that in 'exceptional cases' the courts 'may award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party.' Ordinarily, the allowance of attorney fees, like increased damages is within the sound discretion of the trial judge in cases involving a willful, intentional and deliberate patent infringement. This court in its prior opinion recognized the propriety of allowing a reasonable attorney fee in this case (269 F.2d at 277). 43 The special master awarded appellee attorney fees of $10,000. Appellee contends the amount allowed was totally inadequate for the time expended in this protracted litigation. Appellants contend that the amount allowed was 'arbitrary' in that there was no proof 'as to specific services rendered and testimony as to their reasonableness.' 13 Appellants urged a remand for further testimony. 44 Recognizing that the legal efforts pertaining to this litigation 'do not lend themselves to divisions of mathematical certainty' and considering the 'countervailing equities of defendants' in defending the claim for damages for unfair competition in the post-infringement period, the district court, after weighing all of the factors, concluded 'that $10,000 is a reasonable sum to be awarded to plaintiff as attorney's fees for the legal services rendered in connection with the patent in suit' (70a). 45 We find no abuse of discretion and approve the award.