Johnstech Int'l Corp. v. JF Microtechnology SDN BHD

In September 2016, a jury found that defendant JF Microtechnology SDN BHD ("JFM") had willfully infringed U.S. Patent No. 7,059,866 (the "'866 patent") held by plaintiff Johnstech International Corp. ("Johnstech"). Dkt. No. 242. The jury awarded $636,807 in lost profits. A motion for a permanent injunction and a motion for attorney's fees and enhanced damages are pending. Dkt. Nos. 287, 303.

JFM seeks to overturn the jury verdict under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50, and in the alternative requests a new trial under Rule 59. JFM's arguments are identical under both rules, and the requests are denied.

BACKGROUND

The events leading to trial were straightforward. Johnstech sued JFM for patent infringement in 2014 on the allegation that JFM's Zigma device infringes the '866 patent. Dkt. No. 1. The '866 patent describes a test contactor used to test integrated circuit devices. The test contactor is comprised of conductive "contacts" inside a "housing." The contacts are positioned between "leads" on the integrated circuit device to be tested, and "terminals or pads" on the "load board" of a testing machine. The integrated circuit is pressed against the test contactor, which…