Opinion ID: 736955
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Attorney Fees and Frivolous Appeal

Text: 36 World requests damages under 35 U.S.C. § 284 as compensation for what it alleges are fraudulent acts of Kolmes. However, section 284 authorizes a court to award damages for infringement of a patent; World is the accused infringer and has not in this case prevailed in an infringement claim. Accordingly, World is not entitled to damages under section 284. World also requests an award of attorney fees under 35 U.S.C. § 285 (The court in exceptional cases may award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party.). Because World is not the prevailing party, it is not entitled to attorney fees. 37 Kolmes requests an award of damages under Fed. R.App. P. 38, arguing that World's appeal is baseless. Rule 38 authorizes a court of appeals to award damages for a frivolous appeal, and we have held that appeals may be frivolous as filed or as argued. State Indus., Inc. v. Mor-Flo Indus., Inc., 948 F.2d 1573, 1578, 20 USPQ2d 1738, 1742 (Fed.Cir.1991). An appeal is frivolous as filed if no basis for reversal in law or fact can be or is even arguably shown. Connell v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 722 F.2d 1542, 1554, 220 USPQ 193, 203 (Fed.Cir.1983). Kolmes' request first fails for lack of a separate motion. See Fed. R.App. P. 38. On the merits, although World had many hurdles to overcome in its attempt to obtain a reversal, its appeal was not baseless and therefore was not frivolous as filed. Kolmes also argues that World's brief is misleading. We have carefully considered World's briefs and conclude that they do not evidence any sanctionable conduct. See State Indus., 948 F.2d at 1579 n. 4, 20 USPQ2d at 1743 n. 4 (listing examples of sanctionable conduct). Because we conclude that World's appeal was not frivolous as filed or as argued (even considering its unfounded claims for attorney fees or damages under sections 284 and 285), Kolmes is not entitled to damages under Rule 38. 38 We have considered the parties' other arguments and conclude that they are either unpersuasive or unnecessary for resolution of this appeal.