Attorney Fees Award in Exceptional Case Not Limited to Specific Instances of Misconduct​

The court awarded defendant over $1.8 million in attorney fees under 35 U.S.C. § 285 and rejected plaintiff's argument that defendant was not entitled to recover fees for the entire case. "[Plaintiff] ignores this Court’s extensive analysis and review of [plaintiffs] 'wholly inadequate' pre-suit investigation. . . . Indeed, [plaintiff] concedes that its assertion of the contributory infringement claim in its amended complaint was indefensible in light of its admission that [defendant's] accused products had substantial non-infringing issues. [Plaintiff's] attempt to reduce [defendant's] fee claim to one that is anchored to individual abuses of minor portions is inimical to the Court’s consideration of the totality of the circumstances. . . . When an exceptional case finding is supported by the 'totality of the circumstances,' it would be illogical to constrain a fee award to specific instances of misconduct."

In Re: Bill of Lading Transmission and Processing System Patent Litigation, 1-09-md-02050 (OHSD July 10, 2017, Order) (Beckwith, USDJ)