I have a patent on a piece of equipment that I offer for rental to the offshore oil and gas industry. This equipment is very specific for a particular process. I recently learned that a large drilling company, which had knowledge of my equipment, has made some similar devices for use on their rigs. Would this be classified as a patent infringement and could I be in a position to receive compensation from that company for infringement?
Optional Information: Country relating to Question: United States State (if USA): Louisiana Already Tried: Nothing. Just trying to see if I should retain councel to proceed.
While the device they have made would have to be examined to determine if their device meaningful differences or is made in a different manner to perform the same function, if their device is similar to your device in terms of function and design, then this would indeed be patent infringement for which you could seek damages and compensation. You would need to get to examine their device to make this determination and if they have copied your design even with minor modification, then it would be infringement you would have legal rights to pursue.
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