Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. v. Sirius XM Radio Inc., decided June 9, 2025

This case involves an appeal from the District Court's grant of summary judgment in favor of Sirius XM Radio Inc. (SXM), which found that Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.'s (Fraunhofer) patent infringement claims were barred by the doctrine of equitable estoppel. The Federal Circuit reversed the District Court's decision, finding that there was a genuine dispute of material fact regarding whether SXM relied on Fraunhofer's alleged misleading conduct. While the Federal Circuit agreed with the District Court that Fraunhofer's five-year silence constituted misleading conduct and that SXM would suffer prejudice if Fraunhofer's claims were allowed to proceed (assuming reliance), the critical element of reliance was not indisputably established on the record. The case is remanded to the District Court for further proceedings, including consideration of the parties' remaining summary judgment motions. Read the full case summary here: https://www.cafcnewsbriefs.com/post/fraunhofer-gesellschaft-zur-f%C3%B6rderung-der-angewandten-forschung-e-v-v-sirius-xm-radio-inc-decide