Supreme Court Denies Sunoco Appeal on Patent Damages Calculation

On October 5, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Energy Transfer LP’s petition for certiorari in Sunoco Partners Marketing & Terminals LP v. Powder Springs Logistics LLC. The case stems from a 2017 infringement suit over patents covering a system for blending butane into gasoline. A Delaware jury awarded Sunoco $12.2 million, but the patent owner argued that Federal Circuit precedents on apportionment improperly limited damages by excluding value attributable to unpatented features. Magellan waived response to the petition. The denial leaves the damages award and Federal Circuit precedent intact.

The dispute involved Sunoco’s Sunoco Partners unit and Magellan Midstream Partners LP along with a joint venture. Counsel for Sunoco included Sheppard Mullin and Dechert; Magellan was represented by Fish & Richardson and Miller & Martin PLLC. The case is docketed as No. 25-1387.

Sources: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/sunocos-gas-blending-patent-appeal-bid-denied-by-supreme-court https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/sunocos-gas-blending-patent-appeal-bid-denied-by-supreme-court