Portland Chain-maker Makes it Rain, Winning $2-million in Patent Infringement Damages

A Portland jury recently found in favor of Blount, Inc., a maker of chainsaw chain, bar, and accessories under its Oregon brand, in a patent infringement action against TriLink Saw Chain, LLC, TriLink Global, LLC, Jinhua TriLink Huihuang Co., and Jinhua Huihuang Hardware Co. The jury found claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 5,136,783 to be valid and infringed and awarded Blount nearly two million dollars in damages for defendants' past infringement of the patent. The case was pending in the District of Oregon in front of Judge Anna J. Brown.

The patent, still in effect, discloses a design for the nose sprocket in a chain saw guide bar. The guide bar is a structure that supports the chain on a chain saw. According to the testimony at trial, nose sprockets containing this technology, also called the CRADLE technology, last two to three times longer than nose sprockets using more conventional technology, allowing purchasers to enjoy both greater value and increased safety.

Congratulations to Seattle patent litigator Paul Beattie from Schwabe Williamson and Wyatt, who was counsel on this case along with Christopher J. Lewis, and Devon Newman.