Bonito Boats v. Thunder Craft (1989)
From Bill Goodwine's Wiki
Background:
Bonito Boats designed and manufactured a fiberglass boat hull, the Bonito Boat Model 5VBR, but did not issue a patent for the boat or its manufacturing process. After the boat hull was on the market for 6 years, FL Legislature passed a law which prohibited the use of direct molding to duplicate unpatented boat hulls, and forbid the knowing sale of such boat hulls. Bonito Boats then sued Thunder Craft under the accusation that they violated the FL law by duplicating the Bonito 5VBR and selling those duplicates.
Argument:
Court Ruling:
Reasoning:
