In a recent memorandum opinion, Judge Richard G. Andrews denied plaintiff’s motion for entry of judgment, in which it requested that the Court “exercise its discretion to enter final judgment consistent with the summary ruling by either: (1) Proceeding to final judgment of non-infringement and dismissing any outstanding counterclaims without prejudice; or (2) Proceeding to final judgment of non-infringement pursuant to Rule 54(b) and staying the counterclaims pending resolution of the appeal.” L-3 Communications Corporation v. Sony Corporation et al., C.A. No. 10-734-RGA (D. Del. Oct. 4, 2013).
As Judge Andrews noted, “[t]he decision of whether to dismiss a counterclaim of invalidity where the Court has found no infringement is soundly within the Court’s discretion.” Id. at 1. Judge Andrews further noted that “[a]lternatively, under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(b), the Court may determine that there is no ‘just reason for delay’ and direct the entry of final judgment of non-infringement while staying the remaining invalidity counterclaims.” Id. Denying plaintiff’s motion, Judge Andrews explained that “[h]ere, trial is scheduled to start less than a month away. Most of the preparation has already occurred. To delay would be a waste of the resources that have already been expended.” Id. at 2. Judge Andrews additionally denied plaintiff’s argument that Court “no longer has jurisdiction because there is no longer a case or controversy because the patent in suit has expired.” Id. As Judge Andrews explained, “[h]ere, the infringement dispute between [plaintiff] and [defendant] is not over, as the claim construction will likely be appealed. The fact that the patent has subsequently expired has no bearing on the infringement allegations.” Id.
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