Mich. Jury Awards $70 Million to Stryker in Patent Dispute with Zimmer

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A federal court jury has awarded $70 million in damages to Stryker Corp. (NYSE: SYK) after finding that Zimmer Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ZMH) has infringed Stryker patents for debridement equipment used in hip and knee replacement surgery.

Jurors in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan reached the verdict Feb. 5 after a seven-day trial before District Judge Robert J. Jonker.

Judge Jonker issued a scheduling order Feb. 7 on post-trial motions, noting that Stryker may seek enhanced damages based on willful infringement and/or injunctive relief, while Zimmer has raised the equitable defense …