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Michael Best secures over $100M in IP verdict

By: Ali Teske//June 27, 2022//

Michael Best secures over $100M in IP verdict

By: Ali Teske//June 27, 2022//

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A team of Michael Best attorneys led by John Scheller secured a more than $100 million verdict for Raffel Systems this month. This victory is one of the largest in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

The plaintiff, Raffel Systems, is a global producer of electronic systems and components for furniture. The defendant, Man Wah Holdings and Man Wah (USA) collectively, is a Chinese furniture maker. The case concerned infringement of Raffel System’s intellectual-property rights in an integrated illuminated cup holder by Man Wah. A jury found Man Wah liable for willful trade dress infringement, misappropriation of trade dress, false patent marking and willful patent infringement. Raffel Systems was awarded damages for all its claims, the jury finding that Man Wah acted maliciously toward Raffel Systems and awarded the company $97.5 million in punitive damages.

“The jury verdict confirms that Man Wah’s actions were deliberate, coordinated and wrongful.  This was – and is – a monumental win for all small American innovators,” said Scheller in a statement. “Raffel Systems is a modest, but thriving home-grown company from Wisconsin, and they successfully took on one of the largest global furniture manufacturers in the world to challenge their wrongful actions.”

The full team of Michael Best attorney,  in addition to Scheller, included Kenneth Albridge, Michael Bess, Shane Brunner, J. Ryan Gray, Melanie Reichenberger, Tanya Salman and Brianna Seibken. The attorneys practice from the firm’s Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee and Raleigh offices.

From left to right: John Scheller, Kenneth Albridge, Michael Bess, Shane Brunner, J. Ryan Gray, Melanie Reichenberger, Tanya Salman and Brianna Siebken

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