CSIRO Wins Transfer of US WLAN Court Case, Seeking Reasonable Royalty

Strategic Insights -

CSIRO has welcomed a federal court decision in California, agreeing to transfer upcoming US WLAN patent cases against the organization to a Texas court. The Texas court had previously found in favor of CSIRO against Buffalo companies in November 2006, declaring their products infringed on CSIRO's patent. CSIRO is now seeking a reasonable royalty for the use of its WLAN patented invention. The Buffalo case is set to go to trial before a jury in February 2007 on the issue of damages.

Key Takeaways:

  • CSIRO won a federal court decision in California, agreeing to transfer upcoming US WLAN patent cases against the organization to a Texas court.
  • The Texas court had previously found in favor of CSIRO against Buffalo companies in November 2006, declaring their products infringed on CSIRO's patent.
  • CSIRO is seeking a reasonable royalty for the use of its WLAN patented invention.
  • The Buffalo case is set to go to trial before a jury in February 2007 on the issue of damages.
  • The court found in favor of CSIRO on all issues of patent infringement and validity.
  • The decision affects cases brought against CSIRO by Microsoft, Intel, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Netgear.
  • CSIRO Chief Executive Geoff Garrett said the organization welcomes the decision and looks forward to the matter being dealt with in the Eastern District of Texas.

Statistics:

  • 2006: The year the Texas Court found in favor of CSIRO against Buffalo companies on all issues of patent infringement and validity.
  • November 2006: The month the Texas Court made the decision in favor of CSIRO.
  • May 2005: The month Microsoft, Intel, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Netgear sued CSIRO, asking the court to declare that their products did not infringe CSIRO's US WLAN patent and that CSIRO's patent was invalid.
  • February 2007: The month the Buffalo case is set to go to trial before a jury on the issue of damages.
  • The number of companies suing CSIRO in May 2005: 5 (Microsoft, Intel, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Netgear).

Sources:

  • M2 PressWIRE (18 December 2006): CSIRO AUSTRALIA: CSIRO wins transfer of US WLAN court case.