A Newark, New Jersey, federal judge has awarded $13.8 million in fees and costs to Zimmer Inc. after it came out the victor in a 13-year patent infringement battle with Howmedica Osteonics Corp.

U.S. District Judge William Walls made the award to Zimmer as the prevailing party after four patents that Howmedica claimed were infringed were found to be invalid. The patents, all carrying the title “non-oxidizing medical implant,” concern irradiating and heating polymers used in medical implants in order to extend the usable life of those implants. The suit said Zimmer sold products that infringed on Howmedica’s patents.