Land O'Lakes ordered to pay millions in patent-infringement
case
From News Services
Published Jan 7 2002
Twin Cities-based Land O'Lakes Inc. has been ordered by a
federal court jury to pay more than $3 million for infringing a
New Yorker's patent for a low-fat coffee creamer.
According to the patent application, the patent covers a type of
dairy creamer that is low in fat and cholesterol without any loss
in taste. The inventor is William Pordy, a doctor who set up his
own company, the Carberry Corp., for inventions related to
coffee, said John Cocomile, president of Patent Enforcement
and Royalties of Toronto.
Patent Enforcement, a company that helps inventors sue for
patent infringement, announced the ruling, which was made on
Dec. 20, yesterday. The company would receive half of the
award, after legal fees and expenses.
Land O' Lakes, of Arden Hills, said it would appeal the verdict.
The jury decided that the Land O'Lakes brand Gourmet Fat
Free Half and Half infringed upon the patent, and awarded
$2.6 million in compensatory damages and $421,569 in
punitive damages. Lawyers for Patent Enforcement will now
ask the trial judge to order Land O'Lakes to stop selling any
infringing products.
Land O'Lakes, a closely held cooperative with annual sales of
almost $7 billion, is owned by 1,100 farm co-ops and 7,000
employees.
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