This morning the Federal Circuit released a nonprecedential opinion affirming a patent case appealed from the Southern District of New York. The Federal Circuit also released a nonprecedential order dismissing an appeal. Here is the introduction to the opinion and link to the dismissal.
VR Optics, LLC v. Peloton Interactive, Inc. (Nonprecedential)
In 2012, Peloton Interactive, Inc. (Peloton) entered a contract with Villency Design Group, LLC (VDG) under which VDG would design, develop, and manufacture what would become Peloton’s stationary exercise bike. The parties agreed to another, similar contract in 2014. Before the 2014 contract expired, Eric Villency and Joseph Coffey (the sole owners and members of VDG) learned of a patent that the Peloton bike might infringe. They formed a new company, VR Optics, LLC, which acquired that patent. About six weeks after the 2014 agreement expired, VR Optics sued Peloton for patent infringement. Peloton countersued, bringing various contract and tort claims against VR Optics, VDG, and Mr. Villency and Mr. Coffey. Among these was Peloton’s claim that VDG had breached a clause in the 2014 agreement that obligated VDG to defend Peloton against patent infringement actions. The district court granted summary judgment of invalidity of VR Optics’ patent and that VDG breached its duty to defend Peloton. The district court granted summary judgment denying Peloton’s remaining claims—for breach of warranty, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraudulent concealment, and tortious interference with contract. Ultimately, the district court entered judgment in Peloton’s favor and ordered VDG to pay Peloton’s attorney’s fees. Peloton, VR Optics, and VDG each appeal. For the reasons below, we affirm.