Phillips 66 Faces Retrial After 'Improper' Infringement Theory

By Editorial Team

The Federal Circuit has ordered a new trial for Phillips 66 following allegations of patent infringement by Magēmā Technology. The court deemed the noninfringement theory presented by Phillips 66 as "improper and prejudicial," overturning the previous decision by a Texas federal court that considered the theory harmless.

The case involves patents related to oil refinery technology, specifically:

• 10,308,884 - Heavy marine fuel oil composition
• 10,604,709 - Multi-stage device and process for production of a low sulfur heavy marine fuel oil from distressed heavy fuel oil materials

Law firms involved in the case include Gibbs & Bruns, Norton Rose, Sheppard Mullin, and Winstead PC. Phillips 66 is the defendant in this matter, with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey overseeing the legal proceedings.

The presiding judge in the case is Simeon Timothy Lake III. The retrial decision by the Federal Circuit emphasizes the importance of ensuring proper legal arguments and theories are presented in patent infringement cases to uphold fairness and justice in intellectual property disputes.