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

Marshall Division, Eastern District of Texas

Sept. 7

- Hospital Systems Corp. vs. GE Healthcare et al

Hospital Systems Corp. claims it holds the rights to U.S. Patent Nos. 5,321,520 and 5,416,602 relating to high resolution medical imaging systems. The corporation alleges that GE Healthcare, Fujifilm Medical Systems, Siemens Medical Solutions, Phillips Electronics and McKesson Corp. are infringing on the patents.

"Each defendant manufactures, provides, sells or distributes infringing Picture Archiving and Communication Systems," the original complaint states.

Hospital Systems is seeking an injunction against the infringing companies, treble monetary damages, fees, costs and expenses.

Andrew DiNovo of Austin is representing the plaintiff.

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

Case No. 2:07-cv-00389

- E. Digital Corp. vs Vivitar Corp.

E. Digital claims it holds the rights to several U.S. Patents, including U.S. Patent No. 5,491,774, for handheld recording and playback devices with flash memory.
It alleges that Vivitar is infringing on the patents and is asking the court to enjoin the defendant.

"Award the plaintiff monetary and compensatory damages as may be found to fully compensate for any of Vivitar's acts of infringement and/or any other injuries suffered by plaintiff due to infringement," the original complaint states.

The plaintiff is also seeking court costs, expenses and fees and other relief as the court may deem just and proper.

Gary R. Maze of Houston is representing the plaintiff.

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

Case No. 2:07-cv-00390

-Traffic Information LLC vs. American Honda Motor Co. et al

Traffic Information claims it holds the rights to U.S. Patent No. 6,785,606 issued Aug. 31, 2004, for a "System for Providing Traffic Information."

Traffic Information has alleged that American Honda Motor Co., CBS Radio Inc., Crest Infiniti, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Pioneer, Toyota, XM Satellite Radio, NavTeq Corp. and Traffic.com are infringing on the patent.

"Defendants' acts have caused damage to plaintiff and plaintiff is entitled to recover damages in an amount subject to proof at trial," the original complaint states.

The complaint also states that Traffic.com, NavTeq, XM Radio and Pioneer were given notices and copies of the '606 Patent on Oct. 24, 2005.

Traffic Information is seeking treble damages, interest, fees, costs and other relief as the court may deem just and proper.

Robert Christopher Bunt of Tyler is representing the plaintiff.

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

Case No.2:07-cv-00391

Sept. 10

-Safe-Strap Co. Inc. vs. National Molding Corp. et al

Safe-Strap alleges that is holds patents for child-resistant seatbelt buckles, including U.S. Patent Nos. 6,604,265; 6,618,915; and 6,101,687.

The company alleges that defendants including National Molding Corp., The French Co., EZ Secure Products and National Webbing Products Co. are infringing on the patent.

It also alleges that the defendants had actual notice of the patents, yet continued to infringe.

The plaintiff is seeking the court to enjoin the defendants and award it reasonable royalties. They are also asking for an accounting of sales and revenue the defendants received from the infringing activities and products.

Scott Stevens of Tyler is representing the plaintiff.

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

Case No.2:07-cv-00392

Texarkana Division, Eastern District of Texas

Sept. 6

-Becton, Dickinson & Co. et al vs. Retractable Technology Inc.

Becton, Dickinson claims it holds two patents, U.S. Patent Nos. 6,179,812 and 7,090,656, for medical devices with retractable needles.

It alleges that Retractable Technology Inc. is infringing on its patents through its VanishPoint line of syringes.

"The plaintiff has suffered and will continue to suffer irreparable harm unless the defendant's infringing activities are enjoined by the court," the original petition states.

Becton, Dickinson is seeking compensatory damages, interest, costs, fees and other relief as the court deems just and proper.

W. David Carter of Texarkana is representing the plaintiff.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge David Folsom.

Case No.5:07-cv-00137-DF

Tyler Division, Eastern District of Texas

Sept. 7

- ST Sales Tech Holdings LLC vs. Chrysler LLC

Sales Tech, a Marshall-based company, claims it holds the rights to U.S. Patent No. 6,941,305 for a "Customer Management System for Auto Sales Industry" issued Sept. 6, 2005.

The patent is for a computer implemented method of collecting client contact data, creating a client ticket and tracking interactions between an auto dealer and customer.

Defendant Chrysler LLC infringes on the patent on various Web sites, including Chrysler.com, jeep.com and dodge.com using the Dealer Connect system.

Sales Tech alleges it has suffered damages from the infringement in an amount yet to be determined, and that it will suffer damages in the future unless the defendant is enjoined by the court.

"To the extent that facts learned in discovery show that defendant's infringement was willful, the plaintiff reserves the right to request that finding at time of trial," the original complaint states.

Eric Albritton of Longview is representing the plaintiff.

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

Case No. 6:07-cv-00426