On the heels of Apple Inc.’s large patent lawsuit against HTC, Microsoft Corp. and HTC  Corp. announced a patent deal for an undisclosed sum. Under the deal, HTC will pay Microsoft a confidential amount for intellectual property rights related to mobile phones running the Android mobile platform.

On May 7, 2010, 42 photographers, copyright owners, and the San Diego Zoo filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Taco Bell Corp and Snap TV, Inc., claiming the fast food company used 102 images without permission in four DVDs sold with kid’s meals.

On March 30, 2010, Individual inventor, Red Judkins, filed a motion for a permanent injunction, prejudgment interest, attorney’s fees and enhanced damages.  Judkins filed this motion four months after a jury awarded him $154,000 in damages because HT Window Fashions Corp. they believed had willfully infringed one of  Judkins’ patents and would infringe another if it began selling another product.

On April 22, a jury announced a $25 million award to Baker Hughes Inc. in its trade secrets lawsuit against Varel International Energy Services. Jurors awarded treble damages after finding Varel acted with malice when several of its managers, who formerly worked at Baker Hughes, used a stolen drill bit design to copy and produce a Baker Hughes product.

On April 9, 2010, Anchor Wall Systems, Inc. and Anchor Block Company filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Menard, Inc., claiming the company has copied its landscaping blocks and is therefore diluting the brand and confusing customers.