Yechezkal Evan Spero v. Mercedes-Benz
Patentability filed 20 Dec 2024 in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and closed 14 May 2026, with US9955551B2 asserted. Recorded basis of termination: unpatentable.
Case record
- Patent involved
- US9955551B2
- Application no.
- US13/357549
- Case no.
- 25-1307
- Verdict cause
- Patentability
- Court
- Fed. Cir.
- Court level
- Court of Appeals
- Case region
- District of Columbia
- Chief judge
- None recorded
- Trial level
- Appeal
- Filed – Closed
- 20 Dec 2024 – 14 May 2026
- Duration
- 510 days
- Basis of termination
- Unpatentable
- Products & marks
- Detector controlled illuminating system
- Validity challenges
- 10 on record
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Detector controlled illuminating system
An illuminating device coupled with sensors or an image acquisition device and a logical controller allows illumination intensity and spectrum to be varied according to changing user needs. The system provides illumination to areas according to the principles of correct lighting practice for the optimal performance of visual tasks in the most efficient, cost effective manner. Aspects of the invention include: lighting fixtures which adapt to ambient lighting, movement, visual tasks being performed, and environmental and personal conditions affecting illumination requirements at any given instant. Lighting fixtures having spatial distribution of spectrum and intensity, providing both “background” room lighting, and “task” lighting.
- Legal status
- Inactive
- Granted
- 24 Apr 2018
- Earliest priority
- 17 Sep 2011
- Est. expiry
- 10 Jan 2026
- Validity challenges
- 10 on recordIPR2023-01040 · Patentability · filed by Mercedes-BenzIPR2023-00315 · Patentability · filed by Porsche Cars North America, Inc.orporatedIPR2023-00315 · Patentability · filed by VolkswagenIPR2023-01225 · Patentability · filed by Porsche Cars North America, Inc.orporatedIPR2023-00318 · Patentability · filed by VolkswagenIPR2023-01225 · Patentability · filed by YECHEZKAL EVAN SPEROIPR2023-01039 · Patentability · filed by Mercedes-Benz90014815 · EPRIPR2023-00336 · Patentability · filed by VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INCIPR2023-01296 · Patentability · filed by PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC
- Licences recorded
- None recorded
- Inventors
- SPERO, YECHEZKAL EVAN
- Classification
- H05B37/02F21V23/04F21V19/02B60Q1/14H05B33/08B60Q1/04F21K9/232F21K9/23B60Q1/08H05B3/00F21S4/28F21V21/02F21V21/30F21V29/74F21W111/023F21W111/027F21W111/08F21W131/103F21W131/40F21Y113/00F21Y115/10H05B44/00
- Prosecution counsel
- Brooks Kushman P.C.
- Examiner
- LE, TUNG X
Parties of record
Yechezkal Evan Spero
- Core tech
- H05B37/02F21V23/04F21V19/02B60Q1/14
- Counsel
- Andrew B. Turner · John M. Halan · Sangeeta G. Shah · Thomas A. Lewry
- Firm
- Brooks Kushman PC
Mercedes-Benz
- Core tech
- Not recorded
- Counsel
- Celine Jimenez Crowson · Joseph James Raffetto · Nicholas Rotz
- Firm
- Hogan Lovells US LLP
Counsel of record
| Attorney | For | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew B. Turner | Yechezkal Evan Spero | Plaintiff |
| John M. Halan | Yechezkal Evan Spero | Plaintiff |
| Sangeeta G. Shah | Yechezkal Evan Spero | Plaintiff |
| Thomas A. Lewry | Yechezkal Evan Spero | Plaintiff |
| Celine Jimenez Crowson | Mercedes-Benz | Defendant |
| Joseph James Raffetto | Mercedes-Benz | Defendant |
| Nicholas Rotz | Mercedes-Benz | Defendant |
Basis of termination
From the record · verbatim“THIS CAUSE having been heard and considered, it is ORDERED and ADJUDGED : AFFIRMED.”
Case 25-1307 · Fed. Cir. · closed 14 May 2026
Related cases
Three questions this record usually leads to. Each one runs against the full litigation and patent corpus, and cites what it finds.
Frequently asked questions
What is case 25-1307?
25-1307 is a patent patentability brought by Yechezkal Evan Spero against Mercedes-Benz, filed on 20 Dec 2024 in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The case closed on 14 May 2026.
Which patent was asserted in 25-1307?
US9955551B2 (“Detector controlled illuminating system”), assigned to YECHEZKAL EVAN SPERO, currently inactive. The record also lists Detector controlled illuminating system.
How was case 25-1307 terminated?
The recorded basis of termination is unpatentable. The termination text reads: “THIS CAUSE having been heard and considered, it is ORDERED and ADJUDGED : AFFIRMED.”
How long did case 25-1307 take?
510 calendar days, from filing on 20 Dec 2024 to closure on 14 May 2026.
Who were the attorneys and the judge in 25-1307?
Andrew B. Turner, John M. Halan, Sangeeta G. Shah and Thomas A. Lewry are recorded as counsel for plaintiff Yechezkal Evan Spero. Celine Jimenez Crowson, Joseph James Raffetto and Nicholas Rotz appear for defendant Mercedes-Benz.
Disclaimer. This page reproduces publicly available court docket data for case 25-1307 and is provided for general information and reference only. It is not legal advice and must not be relied upon as such.
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