SAN FRANCISCO Most tech executives think reforming patent litigation to include more liberal fee-shifting would help curb abusive and costly suits. A case argued at the Federal Circuit this week shows just how hard it can be to collect.
A three-judge panel heard oral arguments Wednesday on whether U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken of Oakland erred in awarding $9 million in fees and costs to San Jose’s Monolithic Power Systems Inc. because the amounts were technically incurred in an overlapping proceeding before the International Trade Commission.
