|
Acticon Technologies Settles Patent Infringement
Suit with Askey
SUFFERN, NY, August 8, 2006 General Patent
Corporation International (GPCI), a leading patent licensing
and enforcement firm, has scored another victory in
its campaign to enforce a portfolio of smart connector
patents owned by its subsidiary, Acticon Technologies
LLC (Acticon). GPCI announced today that Acticon has
settled its longstanding patent infringement lawsuit
against Askey, its 24th successful litigation to enforce
these patents.
Acticon brought suit against Askey Computer Corporation
of Taiwan and Askey International Corporation of LaVerne,
CA in June of 2002, in the U.S. District Court for the
District of New Jersey (Case No. 02-CV-2729). Askey
ultimately agreed to settle, and to pay past damages
on the patents-in-suit.
During the course of the lawsuit, Askey initiated
reexamination proceedings at the USPTO for three of
Acticons patents: U.S. Patent Nos. 4,603,320 (Connector
Interface), 4,686,506 (Multiple Connector
Interface) and 4,972,470 (Programmable Connector).
The Patent Office disagreed with Askeys arguments
that these patents were invalid in view of the prior
art, and upheld all claims of all patents.
We are extremely pleased with the outcome of
the Askey litigation, said Paul Lerner, Sr. Vice
President and General Counsel for GPCI. It was
unfortunate that Askey chose litigation and reexamination
proceedings over a simple licensing transaction; but
the reexaminations were extremely beneficial to Acticon,
the litigation is finally over, and we can now focus
our attention on other remaining infringers, he
added.
Acticons smart connector patents
cover specific aspects of PC cards and other smart
connector devices used in mobile computer communications,
networking, and instrumentation control. GPCI has successfully
represented Acticon in 24 litigations and one hundred
thirty-six licensing and settlement transactions related
to these patents.
About Acticon Technologies
Acticon Technologies LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary
of General Patent Corporation International, is a computer
connectivity and communications technology company based
in Suffern, NY. Acticons award-winning smart connector
technology is based on U.S. Patent Nos. 4,543,450 (Integrated
Connector and Modem) (now expired), 4,603,320
(Connector Interface) (now expired), 4,686,506
(Multiple Connector Interface) (now expired),
and 4,972,470 (Programmable Connector).
Acticon Technologies offers non-exclusive licenses under
the 470 patent. For licensing terms, contact Kathlene
Ingham at (845) 368-4000, x107. For more information
on Acticon visit www.acticontech.com.
About General Patent Corporation International
General Patent Corporation International (GPCI) is
a premier IP licensing and enforcement firm headquartered
in Suffern, NY. GPCI represents clients in IP enforcement
matters and licensing transactions on a contingency
basis. GPCI is the oldest such organization in the US.
For more information on GPCI visit www.gpci.com.
General Patent Corporation (GPC), an affiliate of
GPCI, is a leading intellectual property management
firm. GPC provides IP analysis and strategy, IP audit
and valuation, IP portfolio mining and management, and
technology transfer services to domestic and foreign
businesses, universities, research institutions and
individual inventors. For more information on GPC visit
www.generalpatent.com.
IP Holdings LLC, another affiliate of GPCI, is an
idea incubator and an IP-centric merchant banking organization.
For more information on IP Holdings visit www.ip-holdings.com
For further information on Acticon, GPCI, GPC and
IP Holdings contact General Patent Corporation, Montebello
Park, 75 Montebello Road, Suffern, NY 10901-3740; telephone:
(845) 368-4000; e-mail: info@gpci.com.
|