Quanta Computer v. LG Electronics

(Warning: This is very geeky re US patent law. Skip if you are not interested in US patent law.)

Interesting Quanta podcast/blog entry on the Quanta Computer v. LG Electronics case,

“In this U.S. Supreme Court case, the Court was asked whether a patent holder can seek royalties from the downstream third-party purchaser.  The Court concluded unanimously that it could not. Writing for the Court, Justice Clarence Thomas relied on the theory of “patent exhaustion,” which provides that a patented item’s initial authorized sale terminates all patent rights to that item, denying LGE royalties from companies down the line of commerce.  The panel of experts discuss the decision, and the implications of the decision for patent law and  licensing agreements.”