Federal Circuit Grills Sanctioned Patent Lawyer Over Conduct

A Houston-based patent attorney faced a tough Federal Circuit bench while seeking to wipe out a $207,000 sanction against him and his client based on findings of litigation misconduct.

Three judges at oral argument Thursday questioned Bill Ramey, over his and his client VDPP LLC’s pursuit of infringement damages from Volkswagen Group of America Inc. based on an expired patent covering electrically controlled glasses, as well as Ramey’s out-of-court communications with VW’s attorneys.

Ramey, who’s found himself and his clients at the center of misconduct allegations in multiple federal district courts, acknowledged problems with VDPP’s initial complaint—in particular, its not ...