Earlier this week, Bridgeport Fittings was held in contempt of court by the District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania for violating the court’s permanent injunction by selling its 38ASP and 380SP Whipper-Snap Connectors.
In granting Arlington’s motion for contempt, the court ordered Bridgeport to stop making, selling or offering for sale its infringing 38ASP and 380SP Whipper-Snap Connectors until 2018, when Arlington’s ‘488 patent expires. The ‘488 Patent covers Arlington’s patented SNAP2IT® Connectors, including the 38AST, 380ST, and 40 AST.
This is Arlington’s latest win in its ongoing patent disputes with Bridgeport. On November 30, 2012, Bridgeport was forced to pay Arlington for sales of its infringing Whipper-Snap products from 2005 through 2010.
Additional damages owed by Bridgeport for its infringing sales between March 2010 and December 2011 shall be determined by the District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in the next few months.
Tom Stark, president of Arlington Industries, said, “Bridgeport has infringed Arlington’s SNAP-TITE® and SNAP2IT® patents for the past 13 years. In fact, this is the fifth permanent injunction entered against Bridgeport to stop it from violating Arlington’s valid patent rights. Arlington will continue to defend its valuable intellectual property rights against unfair competition.”
Arlington Industries, Inc. is a manufacturer of electrical and communications products.
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