Legal Opinion
TrafFix Devices, Inc. v. Marketing Displays, Inc.
Supreme Court of the United States
Decided March 20, 2001No. 99-1571PublishedCited by 506 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtJustice Kennedy
Temporary road signs with warnings like “Road Work Ahead” or “Left Shoulder Closed” must withstand strong gusts of wind. An inventor named Robert Sarkisian obtained two utility patents for a mechanism built upon two springs (the dual-spring design) to keep these and other outdoor signs upright despite adverse wind conditions. The holder of the now-expired Sarkisian patents, respondent Marketing Displays, Inc. (MDI), established a successful business in the manufacture and sale of sign stands incorporating the patented feature. MDI’s stands for road signs were recognizable to buyers and users…
2Cases cited11 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
- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Samara Brothers, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 2000
- 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
6 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by506 opinions
- Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Andrx Corporation Andrx Laboratories, IncCourt of Appeals for the Third Circuit · 2004
- Holmes Group, Inc. v. Vornado Air Circulation Systems, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 2002
- Clicks Billiards Inc., a Texas Corporation v. Sixshooters Inc., an Arizona Corporation Ronald R. Forbes, a Married Man Jane Doe Forbes, WifeCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2001
- Dastar Corp. v. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.Supreme Court of the United States · 2003
- Fair Wind Sailing Inc v. H. DempsterCourt of Appeals for the Third Circuit · 2014
501 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.