The Maier & Maier litigation team scored another victory for its clients, this time in the Southern District of Texas. District Judge Lynn Nettleton Hughes was the presiding Judge, while Maier & Maier represented Qiang Bai in the proceedings and earned the quick and favorable result.
Houston-based Flexsteel Pipeline Technologies. Inc. sued Qiang Bai and three other defendants for patent infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets on July 9, 2018 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The patent-in-suit, U.S. Patent No. 6,705,351, relates to flexible pipe reinforced with steel bands and a method of fabricating the that pipe. The alleged trade secrets relate to features of the flexible pipe that are not disclosed in the ‘351 patent and certain aspects of the equipment used to manufacture the pipe.
Maier & Maier pursued aggressive written and deposition discovery from the outset, focusing on Flexsteel’s allegations and the evidence that allegedly supported them. The strategy was to resolve the case on summary judgment as early as possible and well short of trial. On April 16, 2021, we moved for summary judgment on all three counts against Qiang. Oral argument took place on May 19, 2021. On June 11, 2021, the Court entered summary judgment in favor of Qiang Bai on all three counts against him (direct patent infringement, indirect patent infringement and trade secret misappropriation). The Court also entered judgment declaring that Qiang Bai did not infringe any claim of the ‘351 patent.
Maier & Maier’s strategy was successful and earned the efficient and early resolution. With the win, Maier & Maier continues its string of successful results, gaining favorable results in district court, at the PTAB, and before the ITC. If you or your company need similar assistance, please contact Maier & Maier’s litigation team here.