KLARQUIST NEWS

Klarquist Invalidates Patent Asserted Against Freightliner LLC

Published September 25, 2006

Klarquist Sparkman, LLP recorded a victory for its client Freightliner LLC by defeating a patent infringement lawsuit brought against it by Dr. Frank T. Buckley, Jr. Dr. Buckley has further agreed to surrender his right to appeal.

Dr. Buckley claimed the invention of a drag-reducing fairing for highway use on heavy duty trucks (U.S. Patent No. 4,245,862). However, United States District Judge Marvin J. Garbis of the District of Maryland ruled on September 25, 2006, that Dr. Buckley’s patent was invalid and entered final judgment in favor of Freightliner LLC, dismissing all claims with prejudice. Dr. Buckley’s patent, which issued in 1981 and expired in 1998, had been the subject of six different lawsuits against a dozen different defendants over the last 25 years. Represented by Klarquist, Freightliner was the first to prove that Dr. Buckley’s patent was invalid.

Klarquist attorneys Stephen J. Joncus and John D. Vandenberg represented Freightliner LLC.