Cooper Technologies Company v. Thomas & Betts Corporation

Thomas & Betts Corporation

McKool Smith represents Thomas & Betts Corporation, a manufacturer of electrical equipment. The case was filed by Cooper Technologies Company alleging that Thomas & Betts connectors infringed on its patents by incorporating a colored band designed to show if the electrical components connected correctly.  The defense claimed that colored bands of the type used on Cooper's products have been in use on similar devices since the 1960s, and that Thomas & Betts began using the bands in the 1970s.

At the conclusion of the trial the jury returned a defense verdict, finding the plaintff's patents were anticipated by prior art and were invalid.