Lufthansa Technik AG v Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems & Anor
| Court | Chancery Division (Patents Court) |
| Judge | Mr Justice Leech |
| Judgment Date | 21 February 2025 |
| Neutral Citation | [2025] EWHC 375 (Pat) |
| Date | 21 February 2025 |
| Year | 2025 |
| Counsel | Mr Hugo Cuddigan Kc,Mr Christopher Hall,Ms Miruna Bercariu,Mr Timothy Howe Kc,Mr Piers Acland Kc,Mr Miles Copeland,Mr Jeremy Heald,In Both Claims |
Approved Judgment: Leech J Lufthansa v Astronics HP 2017 000085 and HP 2019 000019
Neutral Citation Number: [2025] EWHC 375 (Pat)
HP-2017-000085 and HP-2019-000019
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE
BUSINESS AND PROPERTY COURTS OF ENGLAND AND WALES
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LIST (ChD)
PATENTS COURT 21 February 2025
Before:
MR JUSTICE LEECH
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BETWEEN:
LUFTHANSA TECHNIK AG
(a company incorporated under the laws of
Germany)
Claimant
– and –
(1) ASTRONICS ADVANCED ELECTRONIC
SYSTEMS
(a company incorporated in the state of
Washington USA)
(2) SAFRAN SEATS GB ZODIAC SEATS UK
LIMITED)
Defendants
AND BETWEEN:
LUFTHANSA TECHNIK AG
(a company incorporated under the laws of
Germany)
Claimant
– and –
PANASONIC AVIONICS CORPORATION
(a company incorporated in the state of
Delaware USA)
Defendants
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
MR HUGO CUDDIGAN KC, MR CHRISTOPHER HALL and MS MIRUNA
BERCARIU (instructed by Jones Day) appeared on behalf of the Claimant in both claims.
Approved Judgment: Leech J Lufthansa v Astronics HP 2017 000085 and HP 2019 000019
MR TIMOTHY HOWE KC, MR PIERS ACLAND KC, MR MILES COPELAND and MR
JEREMY HEALD appeared on behalf of the Defendants in both claims (instructed by Hogan
Lovells International LLP in Claim No. HP 2017 000085 and Pinsent Masons LLP in Claim
No. HP 2019 000019)
Hearing dates: 3-4, 7-10, 14-16 and 22-24 October 2024
Judgment circulated: 3 February 2025
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
APPROVED JUDGMENT
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
There are two versions of this judgment. The full and unredacted version has been made available
to the parties and their legal advisers only and should be made available only to those who have
been included at the appropriate level of confidentiality in the Confidentiality Order which the
Court has made. The redacted version is published on the National Archives website. Both
versions were handed down on Friday 21 February 2025 12 noon.
Approved Judgment: Leech J Lufthansa v Astronics HP 2017 000085 and HP 2019 000019
Mr Justice Leech:
Table of Contents
I. Preliminary Matters .......................................................................................................... [1]
II. Background .................................................................................................................... [12]
A. The EmPower DC ............................................................................................................ [12]
B. The SkyPower System ..................................................................................................... [24]
C. The EmPower Classic ...................................................................................................... [59]
D. The EmPower Fusion ....................................................................................................... [71]
E. IFE Integration.................................................................................................................. [91]
F. The 2014 Teaming Agreement ....................................................................................... [115]
III. Liability ....................................................................................................................... [126]
G. Construction .................................................................................................................. [131]
H. Infringement ................................................................................................................... [148]
IV. Non-Infringing Alternatives ...................................................................................... [158]
I. Alternative Outlets ........................................................................................................... [159]
J. The 1171M: would it have been a Non-Infringing Alternative....................................... [200]
V. Causation ...................................................................................................................... [305]
K. The Law ......................................................................................................................... [306]
L. The Facts ........................................................................................................................ [356]
M. Application .................................................................................................................... [432]
VI. Panasonic’s Liability .................................................................................................. [473]
VII. The Profits in issue .................................................................................................... [486]
N. Astronics ........................................................................................................................ [489]
O. Panasonic ....................................................................................................................... [500]
P. Safran .............................................................................................................................. [549]
VIII. Apportionment......................................................................................................... [555]
Q. Approach ........................................................................................................................ [556]
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