North Star Technology International LTD. v. Latham Pool Products, Inc., decided April 24, 2025

North Star sued Latham Pool Products for allegedly infringing its design patent for a rectangular swimming pool with tanning ledges. The district court granted summary judgment for Latham, finding the pool designs plainly dissimilar. Specifically, the court noted North Star's design used straight, geometric shapes, while Latham's featured rounded, curved elements. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed this decision, agreeing that an ordinary observer would not mistake one pool for the other. The appellate court also emphasized that design patents protect only ornamental, non-functional aspects and cannot monopolize common design elements. Finally, the court found no error in the district court's evidentiary rulings and upheld the non-infringement finding.  Full case summary