Home fryer maker wins high court patent case

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has upheld a $5 million judgment to the maker of a patented deep fryer, but in a ruling that makes it harder to claim patent infringement.

The justices voted 8-1 Tuesday in favor of France-based SEB, S.A., on claims that a Hong Kong company copied features of its innovative home fryer in which the outside stays cool to the touch. A unit of Global-Tech Appliances Inc., began selling its own fryer, based upon the SEB-owned technology.

The high court upheld an appeals court ruling for SEB, but adopted a tougher standard than the appeals court used for proving the patent violation.

Computer and other technology companies argued for the higher standard. Pharmaceutical manufacturers wanted stronger patent protection.