Opinion ID: 210399
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: MAC's Standing

Text: MAC's standing is a question of law that we review de novo. Consol. Edison Co. v. Richardson, 233 F.3d 1376, 1379 (Fed.Cir.2000). Mitutoyo and MAC contend that MAC has standing because it is the exclusive distributor of Mitutoyo products in the United States. This argument, however, misunderstands the relevant inquiry. In order for a licensee to have co-plaintiff standing, it must hold at least some of the proprietary rights under the patent. Ortho Pharm. Corp. v. Genetics Inst., 52 F.3d 1026, 1031 (Fed.Cir.1995). Consequently, the pertinent question is whether MAC has the exclusive right to sell products made according to the '902 patent in the United States; the exclusive right to sell only Mitutoyo's products made according to the '902 patent, however, is not a sufficient basis for standing. Because Mitutoyo represented to the trial court that General Tool Corp. imports products covered by the '902 patent and has the right to sell them in the United States, Damages Order, 2006 WL 644482, -4, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9301, at -11, MAC does not possess the requisite exclusive right to sell.