Recent patent/copyright infringement cases filed in U.S. District Court

Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division

July 26

-Thomas & Betts Corp. et al vs. Cooper Power Systems Inc.

T&B claims it has the rights to U.S. Patent No. 5,957,712 for a "Loadbreak Connector Assembly Which Prevents Switching Flashover."

The company says Cooper Power Systems is infringing on the patent by making, using or selling bushing inserts and elbow connection products incorporating shoulder vents.

The plaintiff alleges that Cooper has continued to infringe on the patent even after receiving notice of its infringement, therefore the infringement is willful and deliberate.

"Cooper will continue its infringing acts unless it is restrained from doing so by this court," the original complaint states.

Thomas & Betts is seeking a permanent injunction against Cooper and a reasonable royalty after a full accounting of Cooper. Because Cooper's activities were willful, T&B says it is entitled to attorney fees and other relief that the court may deem appropriate.

Samuel Baxter of McKool Smith PC in Marshall is representing Thomas & Betts.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge T. John Ward.

Case No. 2:07-cv-00313-TJW-CE

Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division

July 26

-Parallel Processing Corp. vs. Sony Corp. of America

Parallel Processing says it owns the rights to U.S. Patent No. 5,056,000, for "Synchronized Parallel Processing with Shared Memory."

Parallel claims that Sony is infringing on the patent through its Playstation III, and will continue to do so unless enjoined by the court.

"Defendant's actions complained herein are causing irreparable harm and monetary damage to plaintiff," the original complaint states.

The plaintiff is seeking treble damages, attorney fees, interest and other damages.

Eric Albritton of Longview is representing Parallel Processing.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

Case No. 6:07-cv-00353-LED

-Creative Internet Advertising Corp. vs. Yahoo! Inc. and TimeWarner dba AOL

Creative claims that AOL Instant Messenger Expressions and Yahoo Mail infringe upon its patent for a background advertising system.

The plaintiff says it holds the rights to U.S. Patent No. 6,205,432, which is an advertising system that inserts a tiled or watermarked ad behind a text or published posting.

Creative alleges that defendants will continue to infringe unless enjoined by the court. The company is seeking treble damages, attorney fees and the impounding and destruction of all of defendants' products that infringe on the '432 patent.

Eric Albritton of Longview is representing Creative.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

Case No. 6:07-cv-00354-LED

-Aloft Media LLC vs. Adobe Systems Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

Aloft Media is taking on Internet giants Microsoft and Adobe for what it claims are patent infringements on Web-content management and storage.

Aloft says it holds the rights to U.S. Patent No. 7,117,443 and others for "Network Browser Graphical User Interface for Managing Web Content."

The defendants infringe on the Aloft's patents through its Adobe Acrobat products, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Vista.

The plaintiff is seeking a reasonable royalty, damages, interest and attorney fees.

Eric Albritton of Longview is representing Aloft.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

Case No. 6:07-cv-00355-LED