SCOTUS: Section 271(f)(1) Does not Embrace the Supply of a Single Component
- February 22, 2017 (snippets Alert)
- Snippets
Authored by Kevin E. Noonan, Ph.D.
In an opinion by Justice Sotomayor, the Supreme Court today reversed the Federal Circuit’s decision in Life Tech. Corp. v. Promega Corp. involving the proper scope of infringement under 35 U.S.C. § 271(f)(1). This provision provides infringement for exporting “all or a substantial portion of the components of a patented invention,” and the Court’s decision involved whether exporting only one component was enough for infringement liability. Here, the patented invention was a kit for performing DNA amplification in vitro. The kit was assembled in England, but one component (Taq polymerase) was made in the U.S. and shipped to England for assembly with other components. Relying on the plain meaning of the statutory language, the Court held that exporting the single component was not enough.
The opinion contains a careful explication of the statutory text, in particular focusing on the language of § 271(f)(1) regarding “components” of the invention, in contrast to the term “component” as recited by § 271(f)(2). The Court held that construing the statutory language quantitatively (a substantial plurality of components) rather than qualitatively (i.e., based on the relative significance of any particular component to the invention) was more consistent with the language as well as with Congress’s intent in enacting the statute (overturning Deepsouth Packaging Co. v. Laitram Corp.).
Justice Alito authored a concurring opinion joined by Justice Thomas: Chief Justice Roberts did not take part in the Court’s consideration of the case.
Decided February 22, 2017
The opinion can be found at https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/16pdf/14-1538_p8k0.pdf
Kevin E. Noonan, Ph.D., an MBHB partner, is an experienced biotechnology patent lawyer who brings more than 20 years of extensive work as a molecular biologist studying high-technology problems in serving the unique needs of his clients. His practice involves all aspects of patent prosecution, interferences, and litigation. noonan@mbhb.com
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