Home > Newsroom > Michael Best Secures Over $100 Million Victory in Monumental Intellectual Property Case
NewsMichael Best & Friedrich LLP secured a victory on behalf of its client Raffel Systems, LLC (Raffel), a global producer of electronic systems and components for furniture, last week when a federal jury found Chinese furniture maker, Man Wah Holdings, Ltd. and Man Wah (USA), Inc. (collectively, Man Wah) had infringed Raffel’s intellectual property rights in an integrated illuminated cup holder. The $100 million plus verdict is one of the largest ever in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
The jury found that Man Wah was liable for willful trade dress infringement, misappropriation of trade dress, false patent marking and willful patent infringement. The jury awarded damages on all claims, found that Man Wah acted maliciously toward Raffel Systems and awarded the company $97.5 million in punitive damages.
Michael Best Partner John C. Scheller served as lead trial counsel to Raffel Systems. Scheller commented, “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. 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.”
"(Man Wah) did not expect us to go to fight like this and certainly not to go to trial," Scheller said. "But Raffel is very, very determined to do the right thing here ... most small companies wouldn't do this, frankly. ...Raffel believes that they need to stand up to this type of unfair competition and that's why we're here,” stated Scheller to the Milwaukee Business Journal.
In addition to Scheller, the Michael Best team representing Raffel Systems LLC included Kenneth M. Albridge III, Shane A. Brunner, Tanya M. Salman, Melanie J. Reichenberger, Brianna J. Siebken, and J. Ryan Gray. Related People Preview Attorney's BiographyJohn is a trusted advisor who helps clients navigate their business issues with great insight, clarity and perspicacity. Clients rely on John’s extensive litigation and counseling experience to make practical, results-oriented business judgments. John’s work includes counseling clients regarding:  Preview Attorney's BiographyClients rely on Ken to help them resolve complex intellectual property and commercial disputes. Drawing on a strong technical background, particularly in the electrical, mechanical and electro-mechanical arts, Ken has successfully litigated patent infringement cases throughout the United States. He has represented clients in all phases of patent litigation and trial preparation.  Preview Attorney's BiographyMike serves as a strategic counselor, appellate advocate, and motion and brief writer in complex commercial and criminal cases. Sophisticated business clients turn to Mike for strategic advice and drafting expertise, and he has proved instrumental in securing case dismissals, in defeating class certifications, and in preserving or reversing judgments on appeal. His efforts have consistently eliminated or substantially reduced clients’ financial exposure.  Preview Attorney's BiographyShane focuses his practice on intellectual property litigation and other complex litigation involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets, trade dress and licenses in a wide range of industries and technical fields in State and Federal courts across the country.  Preview Attorney's BiographyRyan focuses his practice on intellectual property litigation. He helps clients develop effective enforcement strategies and represents them in all facets of litigation related to trademarks, copyrights, and patents.  Preview Attorney's BiographyClients turn to Melanie to develop strategies for resolving intellectual property disputes both inside and outside of the courtroom. Whether patents, trademarks, trade dress, trade secrets, or unfair competition, Melanie helps clients enforce their intellectual property assets and defend against infringement allegations. Drawing on her engineering background, she also counsels clients on pre-litigation patent infringement and validity opinion matters.  Preview Attorney's BiographyTanya is passionate about advising and advocating for her clients effectively. She methodically evaluates each case to determine how to resolve the litigation most efficiently and favorably for her clients, especially if and when it can be avoided.  Preview Attorney's BiographyBrianna focuses on intellectual property litigation, particularly disputes involving life sciences and chemical technologies.
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