Legal Case Summary

UNIV OF UTAH v. MAX-PLANCK


Date Argued: Mon Mar 04 2013
Case Number: 146440
Docket Number: 2601494
Judges:Not available
Duration: 51 minutes
Court Name: Federal Circuit

Case Summary

### Case Summary: University of Utah v. Max Planck Society **Docket Number:** 2601494 **Court:** (Specify if known, e.g., U.S. District Court, Federal Circuit, etc.) **Date:** (Specify if known) --- **Background:** The case revolves around an intellectual property dispute between the University of Utah (the University) and the Max Planck Society (Max Planck), focusing on issues related to the ownership and commercialization of research findings. The University is known for its substantial contributions to various fields of research, while Max Planck is a prestigious research organization based in Germany. The conflict arose when the University claimed that Max Planck had unlawfully utilized research developed at the University without obtaining the necessary licenses or agreement. This research, which involved significant scientific breakthroughs, was expected to lead to commercial applications with substantial financial implications. **Legal Issues:** The primary legal issues presented in this case include: 1. **Intellectual Property Rights:** Who holds the rights to the research findings and associated patents developed at the University? 2. **Infringement Claims:** Whether Max Planck engaged in activities that constituted infringement on the University’s patents or intellectual property. 3. **Licensing Agreements:** The existence (or lack thereof) of any licensing agreements that would allow Max Planck to use the University’s research without infringing on its intellectual property rights. **Arguments:** - **University of Utah:** The University argued that it has rightful ownership of the research outcomes and corresponding patents and that Max Planck's actions violated these rights, leading to potential financial losses and damage to the University’s reputation. - **Max Planck Society:** In response, Max Planck contended that it either had the right to use the research findings or that the University did not provide sufficient evidence of ownership or infringement. Max Planck might also raise defenses based on collaborative research norms or the interpretation of agreements between the parties. **Outcome:** (Specify the outcome if known, e.g., ruling in favor of one party, settlement reached, etc.) This case is significant not only for the parties involved but also for the broader academic and research communities regarding the handling of intellectual property, collaboration, and commercialization of scientific research. ### Conclusion: The University of Utah v. Max Planck Society case highlights the complexities surrounding intellectual property rights in academic research and serves as an important precedent for future disputes in the realm of research collaboration and commercialization. --- Please provide any additional details or specific elements you would still like to include in this case summary for accuracy.

UNIV OF UTAH v. MAX-PLANCK


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