Jury Rules in Favor of PCT International, Inc. in Patent Infringement Action Against Amphenol Subsidiary Holland Electronics

MINNEAPOLIS, May 26, 2015—A federal jury has found in favor of PCT International, Inc. on the company’s claims that a competitor had infringed its patent over coaxial cable connectors. Robins Kaplan LLP represented PCT in the four-week trial in federal district court in Phoenix, Arizona, which culminated in the jury’s verdict that 60 separate products sold by Defendant Holland Electronics, LLC—a subsidiary of Amphenol Corporation—infringed PCT’s patent rights. The infringing products include Holland’s SLCU 6 series coaxial cable connector and connectors sold by Holland under the trade name Superlok.

“We’re extremely gratified by this verdict, and thankful to the jury for vindicating our rights,” said Steve Youtsey, CEO of PCT, the Arizona-based manufacturer of products for broadband communication networks. “PCT is committed to innovation, and the jury’s ruling confirms our commitment to protecting the valuable intellectual property we’ve developed, like our revolutionary compression connector design.”

The verdict stems from nearly three years of litigation in which PCT asserted that Holland Electronics had infringed its unique, patented design for coaxial cable connectors. In its verdict, the jury rejected Holland’s assertion that claims of PCT’s United States Patent No. 6,042,422 were not infringed or were invalid. The trial involved numerous fact witnesses and testimony by technical experts. 

Robins Kaplan partner Christopher Larus led the trial team representing PCT. “PCT is an American success story that has built its business upon a strong commitment to innovation and product quality. This type of success story will not exist without a legal system that gives strong protection to patents and other intellectual property,” said Larus, who chairs the Intellectual Property and Technology Litigation Group in Robins Kaplan’s Minneapolis office. “It’s very fulfilling to represent such an inventive, emerging company, and even more so to help them obtain this result at trial.”

Robins Kaplan attorneys Bryan Mechell, Jamie Kurtz, John Harting, and Mathew Yang also represented PCT at trial.

The case, known as PCT International Incorporated v. Holland Electronics LLC, was heard by Judge James Teilborg in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. The patent in dispute is titled “coaxial cable end connector crimped by axial compression.” Coppersmith Brockelman PLC served as co-counsel to PCT in the litigation.

About PCT International, Inc.

Founded in 1997 by Steve Youtsey, PCT International, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer and manufacturer of last mile and access network solutions for broadband communication networks. PCT focuses on innovative and cost-effective solutions that allow service providers to improve system integrity and expand service offerings. PCT’s portfolio includes transmission, connectivity, metro Ethernet and Fiber to the Home products for cable, telco and satellite service providers. PCT’s collaborative approach to product development results in advances that simplify installation and maintenance; improve the integrity of HFC and fiber infrastructures; reduce truck rolls and other associated costs; and most importantly increase customer satisfaction and reduce churn. By working closely with customers’ field engineering personnel, we produce equipment and components that straightforwardly address real needs and enable operators to “Harden the Drop.” To learn more visit, pctcorporate.com.