Knapp Logistics & Automation, Inc. v. R/X Automation Solutions, Inc.

Filing 215

ORDER REGARDING POST-TRIAL MOTIONS. Order Plaintiff's for oral argument [ECF No. 214 ] is conditionally granted on terms set forth in this order. Plaintiff's motion for a stay [ECF No. 201 ] is granted. By Judge R. Brooke Jackson on 1/25/2016.(agarc, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO
Judge R. Brooke Jackson
Civil Action No 14-cv-00319-RBJ
KNAPP LOGISTICS & AUTOMATION, INC.,
Plaintiff,
v.
R/X AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS, INC.,
Defendant.

Order Regarding Post-Trial Motions

The trial of this case resulted in a jury verdict that the defendant did not infringe the
plaintiff’s patent, and that in any event, the patent is invalid. Knapp now asks the Court to
overrule the jury’s decision, enter a judgment as a matter of law on both issues, and then remand
for a new trial on damages. RXAS naturally opposes those requests. On the offensive now,
RXAS requests a declaration that this was an “exceptional” case and, therefore, an award of
attorney’s fees, which it estimates to be approximately $2.2 million. Knapp argues that it was
not an “exceptional” case and opposes any award of fees. Recently Knapp added to the pile with
a request for oral argument on its motions.
Having reviewed the motions and responses, the Court finds that Knapp’s renewed
motion for judgment as a matter of law is not a routine denial, as is often the case following a
jury trial, but that it raises issues concerning the invalidity and infringement issues that are
worthy of oral argument. The motion for oral argument is granted on condition that the
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principals of the two companies first make one serious, good faith effort to settle all disputes
between the parties on a business basis. It seems to me that there ought to be room in the world
of pill counters to let each party go forward with their devices in competition and let the better
device win in the marketplace. I encourage a face to face meeting of the principals, with the
lawyers perhaps taking a lesser role.
If a settlement cannot be achieved, the Court will also need to hear evidence and
argument on defendant’s motion attorney’s fees. This will include plaintiff’s explanation of its
present argument that this is not an “exceptional” case in light of plaintiff’s previous submissions
in its original and amended complaints that it was an exceptional case. It will also include an
evidentiary hearing as to whether $2.2 million in attorney’s fees were necessarily and reasonably
incurred. In that regard, a comparison to the amount of fees incurred and billed by plaintiff’s
lawyers would be one factor that the Court would wish to consider.
ORDER
Plaintiff’s for oral argument [ECF No. 214] is conditionally granted on terms set forth in
this order. Plaintiff’s motion for a stay [ECF No. 201] is granted.
DATED this 25th day of January, 2016.

BY THE COURT:

___________________________________
R. Brooke Jackson
United States District Judge

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