Number: RS22421
Title: Antitrust Effect of Patent on Tying Product: Illinois Tool Works Inc. v. Independent Ink, Inc.
Authors: Janice Rubin, American Law Division 
Abstract: It has continued to be assumed, since the doctrine of patent misuse was imported into antitrust jurisprudence in International Salt Co. v. U.S. (332 U.S. 392 (1947)), that because a patent gives the owner a monopoly on the commercial exploitation of the patented product, it also creates the presumption of sufficient market power to allow the owner to force a tie between the patented product and some, unpatented product. Congress eliminated that presumption in the patent area when it amended the Patent Act in 1988; in Illinois Tool Works Inc. v. Independent Ink, Inc. (547 U.S. ____, No. 04-1329, decided March 1, 2006), the Court eliminated the presumption in antitrust law.
Pages: 5
Date: April 13, 2006