Interprets patent venue statute 28 U.S.C. § 1400(b)

TDR partner Meredith Martin Addy and associates Ashley Crettol Insalaco and Kelly O’Neil filed an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) in TC Heartland LLC v. Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC, U.S., No. 16-341 (2017). 

The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) brief argues that the Federal Circuit correctly interpreted the general venue statute at 28 U.S.C. 1391(b) as providing a definition of “resides” applicable to the patent venue statute at 28 U.S.C. 1400(b).  Although the Supreme Court in 1957 held the two statutes worked independently, Congress changed the law in 1988 by adding to the general venue statute “for purposes of venue under this chapter.” And, Congress rewrote section 1391(b) in 2011 to provide a definition of “resides” specifically applicable “for all venue purposes.” 

The Supreme Court will hold argument in Heartland on May 27, 2017.

The TDR attorneys who filed this brief are part of TDR’s patent litigation and appellate practice areas.