Comparative Law Researches

Comparative Law Researches

A Legal Analysis of Enhanced Damages in Patent Infringement: Assessing the Non-requirement of Proving Willfulness (with Emphasis on the U.S. Legal System) and Its Applicability in Iranian Law

Author
Simin abasi
Ph.D in Jurisprudence and Private Law, Law and Political Science Faculty, Kharrazi University, Tehran, Iran
10.48311/CLR.29.3.2
Abstract
undoubtedly, the issuance of enhanced damages as a strong civil remedy in U.S. patent law is intended to compensate the injured party. However, challenges regarding the issuance of such damages and the necessity of proving willfulness in U.S. courts have arisen. These issues have led to contradictory rulings, reduced predictability of court decisions, and ambiguity in the rights of plaintiffs in patent infringement cases, which could serve as a model for Iranian law. Therefore, independent discussion and research on this subject seem essential. The primary question in this article is whether proving willful infringement is necessary for awarding enhanced damages in U.S. patent cases, and whether this legal concept can be applied in Iranian law. This article aims to provide a legal analysis of this issue. Based on the findings of this article, which is written using a descriptive and analytical method, despite the fact that the U.S. legislature has had the opportunity to address this matter, it has not imposed any requirement for proving willfulness in patent infringement cases, unlike other areas of intellectual property. Although U.S. courts have sought to align the proof of willfulness for awarding enhanced damages with other intellectual property domains or to resolve challenges from previous cases, this interpretation does not conform to patent law. The Iranian legislature could also consider utilizing this legal mechanism in its appropriate context based on necessity and policy considerations.
Keywords
Objective Recklessness
Seagate Case
Egregious Infringement
Halo Case
35 U.S.C. § 284
the Read Factors Case

Subjects

منابع
منابع فارسی
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منابع انگلیسی
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B) Website
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Comparative Law Researches
Volume 29, Issue 3 - Serial Number 129
Fall
Autumn 2025
Pages 188-216