Judge declines to reduce $1.17 billion verdict

Judge declines to reduce $1.17 billion verdict

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A federal judge has declined to reduce a $1.17 billion patent infringement verdict that Carnegie Mellon University won against a California technology firm in 2012.

U.S. District Judge Nora Barry Fischer earlier rejected Marvell Technology Group’s bid for a retrial in the case involving the university’s 1998 patent on noise reduction technology in chips manufactured for computer hard drives.

In a 73-page opinion released late Tuesday, the judge also rejected Marvell’s argument that the amount should be reduced by $620 million because of the university’s lack of diligence in protecting its patents.

Fischer said the university “inexcusably” waited five years before suing, but that delay was offset by Marvell’s “deliberate and sustained” infringement. She has yet to rule on university motions to increase damages.