Rockwell International Corp. v. SDL, Inc.

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

On May 22, 1995, Plaintiffs Rockwell International Corporation and Rockwell Science Center (“Rockwell”) filed this action against SDL, Inc. (“SDL”) alleging infringement of United States Patent Number 4,368,098 (“the ’098 patent”). This court subsequently stayed further proceedings pending the outcome of an action before the United States Court of Federal Claims in which Rockwell sued the United States for infringement of the ’098 patent. SDL intervened as a party defendant in that dispute shortly after Rockwell initiated the present infringement action. This action was reopened on January 13, 1999. SDL now moves for partial summary judgment based on the equitable doctrine of laches, alleging that Rockwell unreasonably delayed filing this action and thereby caused SDL material prejudice. A hearing on this motion was held on June 19, 2000. Having considered the parties’ arguments and submissions, and for the reasons set forth below, the court hereby enters the following memorandum and order.

BACKGROUND

I. The ’098 Patent and MOCVD Process

Plaintiff Rockwell’s ’098 patent was developed by Dr. Harold Manesevit, who filed a patent application on February 13,…