Heraeus Noblelight Ltd v First Light Lamps Ltd [2023] EWHC 1950 (Pat)
This patent infringement / validity action concerned a manufacturing method for sealing electrodes into the ends of high performance quartz glass arc lamps.
The key issues of general interest discussed in the case were:
– construction of an express limitation in the claim (in particular the words “not bigger than”) [48]-[81];
– application of the principle from Napp Pharmaceuticals that no cause of action lies in respect of infringement below a de minimis level [91]-[119]; and
– the degree to which arguments in respect of patent validity need to be raised in skeleton arguments ([142]-[146]).
Christopher Hall acted as sole counsel for the Defendant.