Opinion · Supreme Court of the United States

Demjanjuk v. Petrovsky

Demjanjuk v. Petrovsky, 89 L. Ed. 2d 312 (1986)

Type
Opinion
Court
Supreme Court of the United States
Jurisdiction
Federal
Date
1986-02-24
Topic
general

affirming district court ruling of no willfulness despite defendant’s knowledge of the patent and failure to seek advice of counsel | “[T]he focus of inquiry is on the circumstances and status of those harmed and not merely on whether the acts were committed during the disorder.” | “The law of the United States includes international law,” citing The Paquete Habana, 175 U.S. 677, 712, 20 S.Ct. 290, 304, 44 L.Ed. 320 (1900) | “trade secret law is intended to maintain and promote standards of commercial ethics and fair dealing” | defendant's reasonable belief that its activities fell within its own patent claims, although irrelevant in an infringement analysis, is a factor in determining intent with respect to willful infringement | “[s]ome devices are so simple and their purpose and efficacy so obvious that their complete construction is sufficient to demonstrate workability” | interpretation of treaty language by the Department of State is “entitled to considerable deference” | “the policies expressed in the federal antitrust laws will override any agreement in contravention of those policies, regardless of the agreement’s legality under private contract law” | defendant’s reasonable belief that its activities fell within its own patent claims, although irrelevant in an infringement analysis, is a factor in determining intent with respect to willful infringement | court "should always look at the totality of the circumstances" | court “should always look at the totality of the circumstances”

Citator

Cited by
64 opinions

C. A. 6th Cir. Certiorari denied.