The case was initially filed in Pennsylvania, but defense attorneys easily won a request for a change of venue to the Federal District Court in Knoxville where the PET/CT prototype scanner had been developed and where CTI Pet Systems was located.

At a glance, the victory in the lower court may seem to be sheer providence for Dr. Townsend, Dr. Nutt and CTI. They were awarded a summary judgment over the University of Pittsburgh on the basis of expired statute of limitations.

But a more in-depth look at the briefs, depositions and arguments presented by the University of Pittsburgh substantiates the merit of the inventors' defense, even if the statute of limitations had not forestalled the University.

The appeals court also sided with the inventors and affirmed the lower court's ruling against the University of Pittsburgh.

Jump to Legal Issues for details on evidence and testimony presented.