In Compaq Computer Corp. v. Ergonome Inc., 387 F.3d 403 (5th Cir. 2004), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a jury verdict in favor of a defendant in a copyright case. The trial court had held that any copying by Compaq was de minimis and constituted fair use according to 17 U.S.C. ยง 107, and that doctrines of laches and equitable estoppel also barred Ergonome's claim.
The Fifth Circuit also affirmed an award to Compaq of attorneys' fees of $2.7 million partly as a sanction for unjustified litigation tactics, and held that an individual was liable as the alter ego of Ergonome as a sanction for repeated discovery violations throughout the litigation process.
Chief Judge Edith Jones wrote the opinion for the Fifth Circuit.