Legal Opinion
Thomas & Betts Corporation and Thomas & Betts Holdings, Inc. v. Panduit Corp.
Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Decided October 23, 1995No. 94-3911, 95-1793PublishedCited by 97 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
CUMMINGS, Circuit Judge.
Panduit appeals a preliminary injunction barring it from producing cable ties with certain features disclosed in an expired patent. Because the plaintiff has not established that the features are protectable trade dress, we reverse.
Background
The combatants in this litigation are the nation’s largest suppliers of cable ties, small nylon belts used to bundle wires. Cable ties, simple devices which cost pennies apiece to produce, are ubiquitous in industries which involve electronics, which is to say almost all industries; billions are sold each year.
Cable ties consist of…
2Cases cited23 opinions
- Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1992
- Inwood Laboratories, Inc. v. Ives Laboratories, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1982
- Kellogg Co. v. National Biscuit Co.Supreme Court of the United States · 1938
- Bonito Boats, Inc. v. Thunder Craft Boats, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1989
- Qualitex Co. v. Jacobson Products Co.Supreme Court of the United States · 1995
18 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by97 opinions
- Fair Wind Sailing Inc v. H. DempsterCourt of Appeals for the Third Circuit · 2014
- Board of Supervisors for Louisiana State University Agricultural & Mechanical College v. Smack Apparel Co.Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · 2008
- Platinum Home Mortgage Corporation v. Platinum Financial Group, IncorporatedCourt of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit · 1998
- Thomas & Betts Corporation and Thomas & Betts Holdings, Inc. v. Panduit CorporationCourt of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit · 1998
- The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. v. The Bridgewater Candle Company, LLCCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 2001
92 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.