Mez Industries, Inc. v. Pacific National Insurance

Opinion

CROSKEY, J.

This case presents the question of whether a liability insurer providing coverage for “advertising injury” is required to defend its insured in an action charging the insured with inducement of patent infringement. When the respondent, Pacific National Insurance Company (Pacific) refused to provide such a defense to the appellant, Mez Industries, Inc. (Mez), Mez filed this action for declaratory relief and breach of contract. The trial court sustained Pacific’s demurrer without leave to amend and thereafter entered a judgment of dismissal.

Because we conclude that the…