Compaq Computer Corp. v. Ergonome Inc.

EDITH H. JONES, Circuit Judge:

This case arises from Ergonome’s claim that Compaq’s Safety and Comfort Guide (“SCG”) unlawfully infringed on a copyright held by Ergonome in Preventing Computer Injury: The HAND Book (“THB”), a teaching text describing ergonomically correct hand positions for computer users and ways to avoid repetitive stress injuries. On July 11, 2001, after a seven-day trial, the jury concluded that any copying by Compaq was de minimis and constituted fair use according to 17 U.S.C. § 107. The district court subsequently held that the doctrines of laches and equitable estoppel…