Recent patent/copyright infringement cases filed in U.S. District Court, July 3-6

Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division

July 3
Function Media LLC vs. Google Inc. and Yahoo!
Function Media claims it holds several patents, including U.S. Patent No. 6,446,045, relating to Internet advertising systems and methods. The patent holders are alleging that Google's Ad Sense, Ad Words and Google Print Ads as well as Yahoo's Publisher and Content Match technology are in violation of the patents.
The plaintiff is seeking enhanced damages from the defendants.
Max Tribble Jr. of Susman Godfrey LLP in Houston is representing Function Media.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge T. John Ward.
Case No. 2:07-cv-00279-TJW

July 5
Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. vs. Eppendorf North America Inc.
Bio-Rad claims it holds the rights to U.S. Patent No. 6,340,589, issued Jan. 22, 2002. The patent is for thin-well microplates, which are used with automated equipment such as robotic handling equipment and in high temperature procedures such as thermal cycling.
Bio-Rad claims Eppendorf is infringing on its patent and is seeking treble damages.
Eric Albritton of Longview is representing Bio-Rad.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.
Case No. 2:07-cv-00281-LED

July 6
Gellman vs. ADT Security Services Inc. et al
Tobi Gellman, as trustee of Mayer Michael Lebowitz Trust, is suing eight defendants including ADT Security, Diebold Inc. and Protection One Inc. for patent infringement. The plaintiff claims it holds the rights to U.S. Patent No. 6,075,451 issued June 13, 2000, for technology that uses cell phone networks in alarm systems.
Gellman is represented by Edward Goldstein of Houston.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge T. John Ward.

Continental AFA Dispensing Company vs. AFA Polytek BV et al
Continental sells pump dispensers including trigger sprayers that are often used in household cleaning products and claims it holds several patents on such products, including U.S. Patent No. 5,467,900.
Defendants Polytek and the Dial Corp. had actual knowledge of the '900 patent before selling their own products, including Polytek OpAd Sprayer and Dial's Soft Scrub Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser, according to Continental.
Because of the defendants' "willful and deliberate" infringement, Continental is seeking damages and asking the court "to order the impounding and destruction of all defendants' infringing products within 30 days of judgment."
Continental is represented by Trey Yarbrough of Tyler.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge T. John Ward.
Case No. 2:07-cv-00283-TJW-CE