Talk about a pricey blender container.

A jury in federal district court in Salt Lake City last week awarded $11 million in damages to K-Tec, maker of the Blendtec Total Blender in a patent-infringement case against Vita-Mix Corporation, manufacturer of Vita-Mix blenders.

Blendtec had filed the patent-infringement suit against Vita-Mix, alleging that Vita-Mix's XP Container was too similar to K-Tec's patented, five-sided Blendtec jar (both shown). U.S. Chief Judge Tena Campbell can increase the damages, bringing the award up to as much as $33 million, plus attorneys' fees. Vita-Mix, which no longer sells the XP Container, might appeal. Read more about the case in this story from The Plain Dealer.

In our latest review of blenders, the Vita-Mix 5200, $450, was the highest-rated model, excelling at making icy drinks and smoothies, puréeing, and crushing ice. The Blendtec Total Blender TB-621-20, $400, is among the highest-scoring blenders, excelling at pureeing and crushing ice but earning a good for whipping up icy drinks and smoothies. It's also on the noisier side.