Anker Wins Post-Trial Ruling Erasing $13.6 Million Patent Verdict

Anker Innovations, represented by Orrick, secured a ruling wiping out a $13.6 million jury verdict in a USB-charger patent case in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. Fundamental Innovation Systems International LLC, a Texas company that holds four USB-charging patents originally owned by BlackBerry, had accused Anker's wall chargers, car chargers, power strips, desktop chargers and power banks of infringing those patents.

The ruling is a major win for Anker after more than five years of litigation that began in March 2021.

On September 29, Judge Richard G. Andrews granted Anker's post-trial motion in part. The court:

• Found that Fundamental Innovation Systems International LLC did not show enough evidence to support the jury's damages award or its finding of willful infringement.
• Found that Fundamental failed to separate the value of the patented features from the conventional parts of the accused chargers, and cut the damages to zero because Fundamental had not properly apportioned them.
• Held that Fundamental's 50-cent royalty rate was "merely an opening offer," since Fundamental offered no comparable licensing deals to support that rate and no analysis separating the patented improvements from conventional charger components.
• Denied Fundamental's motion for attorneys' fees because Fundamental is "not the prevailing party."

"While many companies chose to settle with Fundamental, we believed these claims lacked merit and chose to fight. We are grateful the court agreed. Anker will continue to stand firm against patent infringement claims when we believe we are right, and to defend the innovation our customers rely on," said Robinson Cheng, Senior Legal Director of Anker.

The Orrick team is led by Vann Pearce and Yufeng (Ethan) Ma and includes Libby Moulton, Michael C. Chow, Rose Sun, Dana Sublett and Gavin McGimpsey. Baker Botts and Ashby & Geddes served as co-counsel.

The case is Fundamental Innovation Systems International LLC v. Anker Innovations Ltd. et al., No. 1:21-cv-00339 (D. Del.) .