A jury has found that Wauwatosa-based Briggs & Stratton Corp. must pay $24.3 million in damages to Exmark Manufacturing Co. Inc. for patent infringement.
According to Exmark, the Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group produced two mower deck designs that infringed on its mower deck patent.v
Briggs & Stratton plans to fight back against the ruling, which indicated the design infringement was “willful,” which opens the door to further damage awards.
“BSPPG and the company strongly disagree with the verdict and certain rulings made before and during trial, and BSPPG intends to vigorously pursue its rights through post-trial motions and, if necessary, on appeal,” the company said in an SEC filing.
The current mower deck produced by BSPPG does not infringe on Exmark’s patent.
Briggs does not expect the ruling will have any financial impact on its quarter ending Sept. 27.
