In a recent interview with Law360, Knobbe Martens partner Brian Horne shared his perspective on one of the most noteworthy patent rulings of 2025: the Federal Circuit’s decision in EcoFactor v. Google.
In the first en banc decision involving a utility patent in several years, the court reversed a $20 million infringement ruling against Google. The case had implications for the role of expert testimony in damages cases and how district courts apply the damage model.
Going forward, the decision could inform how district courts balance their “gatekeeping function” with weighing evidence, Horne explained. He emphasized how the ruling could provide guidance on a recurring question in this type of litigation: “Is this a gatekeeping question or is this better addressed on cross-examination?”
Read the full article here [subscription required].
Horne successfully led trial teams from Knobbe Martens in two recent, noteworthy IP litigation cases. This includes leading the jury trial team that delivered a $634 million win for medical device pioneer Masimo in a patent infringement case against Apple, the largest patent verdict of 2025. Earlier in the year, he led the team that secured a significant success on behalf of innovator Sigray, Inc. in a patent infringement and trade secret trial.
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