ADVICE-OF-COUNSEL DEFENSE

advice-of-counsel  defense.Patents.  In  an  action  for  infringement,  an  assertion  that  after

learning  of  the  owner’s  rights,  the  defendant  sought,  obtained,  and  relied  on  an  attorney’s

well-reasoned opinion before continuing the challenged act. • Courts treat the assertion as a factor

in determining whether an act was willful (to support en-hanced damages). It is not a true defense.

Cf. willful infringement under INFRINGEMENT. [Cases: Patents    227. C.J.S. Patents § 403.] [Blacks Law 8th]