Patent Infringement, False Advertisement & Antitrust
Static Control Components, Inc., et al. v. Lexmark International, Inc., et al., Case No. 04-84-GFVT (E.D. Ky) (multiple published decisions)
This multi-party, complex litigation involved claims for, among other things, patent infringement, antitrust violations, and false advertising. SKO argued the issue of standing to assert false advertising claims in front of the Supreme Court on December 3, 2013.
Shareholder Class Action
Margie Elstein v. Lexmark International, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 16-CI-02380 (Fayette Circuit Court)
SKO successfully represented Lexmark in successfully dismissing a proposed class action lawsuit claiming Lexmark’s merger was unfair to shareholders. A mere three days before the scheduled shareholder vote, an injunction hearing was held and the Court dismissed the lawsuit.
Patent Infringement, False Advertisement & Antitrust
Lexmark International, Inc. v. Impression Products, et al., Case No. 10-564-MRB (S.D. of Ohio)
SKO, along with Sidley Austin LLP and Banner & Witcoff, represented Lexmark in a closely-watched patent case at the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. In a dispute brought by Lexmark over remanufactured printer cartridges, the Federal Circuit held in Lexmark’s favor on domestic and international patent exhaustion issues. The case is now pending before the United States Supreme Court and will be argued on March 21, 2017.
Patent Infringement
Lexmark International, Inc., et al. v. Pitney Bowes Inc., et al., Case No. 001-237-JMH (E.D. Ky.)
Successful litigation involving patent infringement claims relating to print quality enhancement technology. Obtained summary judgment, dramatically limiting the products at issue on the basis of failure to mark or provide actual notice under 35 U.S.C. § 287. The case was settled after the Court’s ruling.
Patent Infringement
Lexmark International, Inc. v. Laserland, Inc., 304 F.Supp.2d 913 (E.D. Ky. 2004)
Represented Lexmark in a patent infringement lawsuit, and established new personal jurisdiction law in the Sixth Circuit relating to interactive websites; case settled.
Information Technology Agreements
SKO reviews and negotiates agreements relating to clients’ information technology systems, including data security, privacy protections and service level agreements.
Income Tax
Successfully represented taxpayer in refund suit based on unitary income tax filing.
Venture Capital Investments
Represented a fund that makes convertible debt or preferred equity investments in numerous early-stage Kentucky business entities to facilitate the commercialization of innovative ideas and technologies.
Class Action, Telecommunications and Consumer Protection
SKO acted as counsel for a 175,000-member plaintiff class in U.S. District Court to challenge sales tax collection on broadband Internet access services provided by incumbent local exchange carrier. The Court approved settlement agreement in August 2007 that provided class members full refunds of overpayments plus interest, totaling $8.2 million.
Clark v. BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc., 461 F.Supp.2d 541 (W.D. Ky. 2006).
Patent Applications for Designs & Inventions
SKO prepared, filed and prosecuted patent applications for clients' inventions and designs in a wide variety of subject matter areas. Examples include exercise apparatus; floor treating machines; electronic monitoring systems; gardening systems; shelving designs; tool designs; and various mechanical, electrical and electromechanical systems, devices and methods.
Patent Review & Analysis
SKO regularly represents clients in the artificial turf surfaces industry regarding the review and analysis of patents in that industry. This representation involves performing detailed analyses and providing advice about whether our clients' and their competitors’ products are covered by the claims of various patents in the industry, as well as negotiating agreements with the owners of several of those patents.
Trademark Registration
SKO prepares, files and prosecutes trademark applications for clients in a variety of industries including distilled spirits, manufacturing, healthcare, equine, restaurants, and nonprofit organizations.
Recapitalization and Restructuring of Financial Services Compliance Firm
Represented financial services compliance firm in all aspects of recapitalization and sale of multiple series of securities to private equity firm and other stockholders.
Class Action, Telecommunications, Public Utility, Taxation & Consumer Protection
SKO represented a class of more than 450,000 members in U.S. District Court challenge to overcharges/tariff violations by regulated telecommunications carrier. SKO obtained summary judgment on federal overcharge claims for class members and protected class certification by defeating an interlocutory appeal to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. SKO also prevailed for class members in a collateral state utility commission proceeding on issues referred by the District Court. Settlement approved by District Court in November 2013 included cash refunds to all class members. Bowers v. Windstream Ky. East, LLC, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 157242 (W.D. Ky. 2013).
Federal and State Regulation, Telecommunications
Obtained favorable ruling in interconnection dispute between major telecommunication carriers, prevailing before Sixth Circuit, District Court, and Kentucky Public Service Commission. BellSouth Telecomms., Inc. v. Goss, 142 Fed. Appx. 886 (6th Cir. 2005).
Antitrust, Telecommunications
Successfully defended telecommunications carrier in Sixth Circuit and District Court against antitrust and related claims in suit brought by prison inmates. Daleure v. Kentucky, 269 F. 3d 540 (6th Cir. 2001); Daleure v. Kentucky, 119 F. Supp. 2d 683 (U.S.D.C W.D. Ky. 2000).