Signify vs. Lepro: Patent Trial Begins with Jury Selection and Opening Statements
Your humble editor arrived in Las Vegas late Monday night after the first day of the Signify vs. Lepro IP trial had already concluded. According to the official court record, Day One focused primarily on jury selection, preliminary instructions, and opening arguments. These essential steps laid the procedural groundwork for what is expected to be a document-heavy patent case.
Morning Session: Setting the Stage
The court convened at 8:20 AM, initially meeting outside the presence of the jury to address instructions and routine housekeeping matters. Shortly before 9:00 AM, a venire of 39 prospective jurors entered the courtroom. Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey delivered opening remarks, introduced the court staff, and outlined the case before voir dire began.
Afternoon Session: Openings and Evidence
By late morning, the court excused unselected jurors and officially swore in the final panel. Following a lunch recess, the jury returned to receive preliminary instructions and viewed an educational video from the Federal Judicial Center explaining the patent process.
Opening arguments followed immediately. Adam D. Swain presented the case for Signify, after which Nicholas A. Brown delivered the opening statement for Lepro. Following a brief afternoon break, Brown continued outlining the defense’s position, marking the first substantive framing of the dispute in the Signify Lepro IP trial.
First Witness Testimony
The afternoon concluded with testimony from the first witness, Aaron Rugh, who testified on behalf of Signify. He took the stand and testified on direct examination before the court excused him for the day.
After dismissing the jury at approximately 3:00 PM, the court addressed several matters privately. Specifically, the judge denied a motion to reconsider an earlier ruling and excused Juror #7 after questioning by both parties. Finally, the court adjourned at 3:30 PM, closing a first day that emphasized structure and process. This set a firm stage for the evidentiary battles ahead.