High Point Design LLC v. Buyers Direct, Inc.
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
730 F.3d 1301 (Fed. Cir. 2013)
Facts
Buyers Direct, Inc. (BDI) (defendant) obtained a patent for its slippers, known as “SNOOZIES.” High Point Design LLC (High Point) (plaintiff) manufactured slippers known as “FUZZY BABAS.” High Point filed a petition in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for a declaratory judgment that BDI’s patent was invalid. The district court characterized the design of BDI’s patent as “slippers with an opening for a foot that can contain a fuzzy (fleece) lining and have a smooth outer surface.” The district court found that Woolrich had previously manufactured slippers that looked indistinguishable from SNOOZIES. The district court granted High Point’s motion for summary judgment, applying an ordinary observer standard and finding that BDI’s patent was invalid on both obviousness and functional grounds. BDI appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Schall, J.)
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