Aspex Eyewear v. Miracle Optics

Contour granted an exclusive license to Chic, including the right to sue for infringement, but terminating after five years. Contour sued Miracle Optics for patent infringement. Shortly after filing, Chic sublicensed to Aspex all of its rights under the patent. The C.A.F.C. found that Contour was the owner of the patent at the time of filing and had standing to sue.
See also,

• MP3: Aspex Eyewear v. Miracle Optics (Fed. Cir. 2006) (citations omitted)
• PDF: Aspex Eyewear v. Miracle Optics (Fed. Cir. 2006) (full text)
• Patently-O: Standing: Patentee Retains Standing When Assignment of Rights is Only for Limited Term
• IP Law Observer: Exclusive Sublicense With Fixed Termination Date Was Not Assignment of All Rights Necessary for Standing