A recent precedential decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit serves as an important reminder of the fundamental principle that “he who comes into equity must come with clean hands.” Keystone Driller v. General Excavator, 290 U.S. 240, 241 (1933).

In Luv n’ Care v. Laurain and Eazy-PZ, No. 22-1905 (Fed. Cir. 2024), the Federal Circuit affirmed a Louisiana district court’s ruling that the patent owner was barred from obtaining relief on its claims due to unclean hands. Further, the Federal Circuit vacated the district court’s judgment in favor of the patent owner of no inequitable conduct, and vacated the district court’s grant of partial summary judgment of invalidity, as well as the denial of attorney fees and costs.