Opinion ID: 496275
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Identity of the Issues and Opportunity for Discovery

Text: 14 Aluminum contends that collateral estoppel is inappropriate for two additional reasons. First, the element of exceptional circumstances in the previous patent action is not identical to the element of malice in the malicious prosecution action. Collateral estoppel requires that the estopped issue be identical to an issue litigated in a previous action. Second, the previous patent action did not provide an opportunity for appellant to conduct full discovery on the question of appellee's malice in bringing that action. Differences in discovery procedures may justify not allowing a prior judgment to have estoppel effect in a subsequent action, even between the same parties. Parklane Hosiery Co. v. Shore, 439 U.S. 322, 331 n. 15, 99 S.Ct. 645, 651 n. 15, 58 L.Ed.2d 552 (1979). Alumax contends that this latter claim fails because Aluminum did not raise the issue in the district court below and because in the previous action Aluminum did not request (1) a bifurcated trial, (2) additional discovery relevant to section 285, and (3) information from the appellee directly. We need not reach any of these issues in view of our ruling that the burdens of proof are different. 15 REVERSED AND REMANDED.