IRVINE, Calif., September 10, 2025 – A trial team from Knobbe Martens secured a significant success on behalf of innovator Sigray, Inc. in an IP dispute involving groundbreaking x-ray technologies.
Sigray is a pioneer in developing laboratory x-ray instruments that enable advanced scientific research in biomedical applications and semiconductor metrology. In this case, Carl Zeiss X-Ray Microscopy, Inc. sued Sigray for patent infringement and trade secret misappropriation. The court previously ruled on summary judgment that Sigray infringed two patents owned by Zeiss that are now expired. At trial, Zeiss sought lost-profits damages of more than $12 million, and findings of willful patent infringement and willful and malicious trade secret misappropriation. Zeiss also sought punitive damages for the alleged misappropriation.
Following a six-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, a jury delivered an overwhelming defense verdict for Sigray. The jury declined to award Zeiss any lost-profits damages and instead awarded past patent damages in the form of a reasonable royalty totaling $785,000. The jury also rejected Zeiss’s claims for willful patent infringement and trade secret misappropriation.
Knobbe Martens partner Brian Horne, who was lead trial counsel for Sigray, commented, “It was an honor to represent a well-respected innovator like Dr. Wenbing Yun and his company, Sigray. We are thrilled with this decision, which will allow Sigray to focus on the continued development of their x-ray technology enabling important scientific breakthroughs.”
Dr. Wenbing Yun and Sylvia Lewis, Sigray’s co-founders, commented, “It has been a pleasure working with Knobbe Martens and Brian. We have immense respect for their incredible efforts and guidance in this case that has spanned five years. We are incredibly grateful to the team and to the jury to allow Sigray to defend its reputation.”
In addition to Mr. Horne, who serves as Managing Partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office, the Knobbe Martens trial team representing Sigray in the case included partners Craig Summers, Kendall Loebbaka, Alan Laquer, Nicholas Zovko, and Hans Mayer, and associates Ben Shiroma, Rhett Ramsey, and Melis Tirhi.
About Knobbe Martens
Knobbe Martens is a highly respected intellectual property law firm, offering legal services in all aspects of intellectual property and technology law. The firm’s litigation group handles cases throughout the U.S. and coordinates strategy for disputes worldwide. Founded in California in 1962, the firm has about 300 lawyers and scientists based in offices located in Orange County, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C. Knobbe Martens serves a diverse international client base, from multinational corporations to emerging businesses of all stages. More information about the firm can be found at www.knobbe.com.
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