Workman Nydegger Secures Major Victory in Patent Litigation Case 

At Workman Nydegger, we take pride in our ability to protect our clients’ innovations and secure hard-fought legal victories. This week, we’re celebrating a significant win for our client DuraSystems Barriers Inc., a case that highlights our team’s expertise in patent prosecution and litigation. 

Nearly six years ago, Workman Nydegger filed a patent infringement lawsuit on behalf of DuraSystems. The lawsuit alleged that a competitor was infringing on patents Workman Nydegger had secured for the client, covering fire-rated grease ducts, critical components used in commercial kitchens and other environments to exhaust flammable or hazardous gasses.  

The case, litigated in the Central District of Illinois, saw our attorney, Chad Nydegger, take the lead in court, building on the strong patent foundation established by our attorney, Mike Frodsham. The team secured key victories, including a favorable claim construction ruling and a summary judgment win on infringement of DuraSystems’ patents. Facing these rulings, the defendants dropped all defenses to certify the case for appeal. 

On appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Workman Nydegger attorneys Chad Nydegger and Ryan Morris stepped up to defend the win. Their efforts paid off once again, with the appellate court upholding the district court’s ruling under Federal Rule of  Appellate Procedure 36—a testament to the strength of our legal strategy and execution. The case is now back to the district court in Illinois for further proceedings on damages and willful infringement. 

This case was anything but straightforward, requiring deep technical understanding, sharp legal analysis, and relentless advocacy. We couldn’t be prouder of attorneys Mike Frodsham, Chad Nydegger, and Ryan Morris for their outstanding work. Their success reinforces Workman Nydegger’s reputation as a firm that delivers results through sharp legal analysis and artful advocacy. 

Congratulations to the entire team on this well-earned victory!