GeigTech's Victory: $34.6M Awarded in Roller Shade Patent Clash with Lutron

A federal jury in New York has ruled in favor of GeigTech, awarding the company a substantial $34.6 million in damages in a patent infringement case against Lutron Electronics Co. Inc. The verdict, announced on Wednesday, marks a significant victory for the South Carolina-based GeigTech, a company specializing in roller shade systems.

The case centered around U.S. Patent No. 10,294,717, owned by GeigTech, which covers innovations in window shade brackets. The jury found that Lutron had infringed upon this patent willfully, paving the way for potential tripling of damages as allowed under law for willful infringement. At the heart of the dispute was GeigTech's claim that Lutron had  utilized its patented designs and intellectual property to compete in the market segment where GeigTech had established a dominant position. The jury's rejection of Lutron's defamation counterargument further solidified GeigTech's position, affirming that Lutron had indeed engaged in actions described by GeigTech as "poaching" its patents. The case, initially filed in June 2018, also included allegations of trade dress infringement and unjust enrichment against Lutron, further underscoring the complexity and gravity of the legal battle.

The patented technology in question, described as a "shade bracket with concealed wiring," represents a significant innovation in the realm of window shade systems. GeigTech's founder, James Geiger, is credited with the creation of the J Geiger Shading System, characterized by its sleek design featuring exposed roller shades without visible screws, wires, or other hardware—a design ethos central to the company's identity and success.

Geigtech is represented by Donald A. Ottaunick, Pekham Pal, Gianna Zapata, Gary R. Sorden, Brian L. King, James R. Perkins, Aaron Davidson, Vishal Patel, Kristopher M. Ruiz and others of Cole Schotz PC.

Original article published by Adam Lidgett on Law360.