Apple named in lawsuit over wireless data, circuits
A small patent holding firm claims that Apple and other large PC makers are violating broadly-worded patents for encrypted wireless signals as well as the inner workings of many computer circuits.
Saxon Innovations LLC's lawsuit was filed in late June with the Eastern District court in Tyler, Texas, a town which along with Marshall has become well-known for siding with companies that base their businesses on patent lawsuits.
The ten-page brief accuses Apple and rival PC builders Acer, Dell, Gateway and Hewlett-Packard of knowingly treading on four Saxon-held patents that were granted over ten years ago.
Most of Saxon's attention centers around a first patent, granted in 1997, which addresses the process of encrypting, sending, and then decrypting data over a wireless signal. The patent is written broadly enough to apply to many technologies and is described as applying equally to cellphones as well as to virtually any secure data stream -- potentially affecting both iPhones and any computers with enciphered wireless data signals, such as a Wi-Fi connection.
No specific products are mentioned as prompting the lawsuit, however.
The lawsuit also challenges that all five of the defendant PC makers are abusing a Saxon-owned 1996 patent for circuity that generates clock signals. More specific claims also accuse Apple, Dell, and HP specifically of violating a patent from the same year that covers triggering hardware interrupts in circuits that are hidden by software.
A fourth claim targets HP alone and says the computer giant has violated a 1993 patent for a keypad monitor.
In keeping with its official policy, Apple has declined to comment on the lawsuit, as have the other defendants as well as Saxon itself. However, as is often the case with such suits, Saxon is looking to receive "enhanced" damages should it win an intended jury trial.
Saxon Innovations LLC's lawsuit was filed in late June with the Eastern District court in Tyler, Texas, a town which along with Marshall has become well-known for siding with companies that base their businesses on patent lawsuits.
The ten-page brief accuses Apple and rival PC builders Acer, Dell, Gateway and Hewlett-Packard of knowingly treading on four Saxon-held patents that were granted over ten years ago.
Most of Saxon's attention centers around a first patent, granted in 1997, which addresses the process of encrypting, sending, and then decrypting data over a wireless signal. The patent is written broadly enough to apply to many technologies and is described as applying equally to cellphones as well as to virtually any secure data stream -- potentially affecting both iPhones and any computers with enciphered wireless data signals, such as a Wi-Fi connection.
No specific products are mentioned as prompting the lawsuit, however.
The lawsuit also challenges that all five of the defendant PC makers are abusing a Saxon-owned 1996 patent for circuity that generates clock signals. More specific claims also accuse Apple, Dell, and HP specifically of violating a patent from the same year that covers triggering hardware interrupts in circuits that are hidden by software.
A fourth claim targets HP alone and says the computer giant has violated a 1993 patent for a keypad monitor.
In keeping with its official policy, Apple has declined to comment on the lawsuit, as have the other defendants as well as Saxon itself. However, as is often the case with such suits, Saxon is looking to receive "enhanced" damages should it win an intended jury trial.
Comments
"Very well number one, bring us to periscope depth for an observation."
"Targets are quite fuzzy but if you squint just so, you can see that they might be there if you use your imagination. The navigator reports we are near the eastern district of Texas, so luck should favor us."
"That's good. What do we have loaded in the patent tubes?"
"Well, we have three patents loaded, but they are somewhat old...but withing the 14-year shelf life."
"Very good! Prepare to launch a full spread."
"Aye Captain...litigation room reports that the law offices are open, ready to shoot."
"FIRE ALL TUBES!"
- 1996 patent for circuity that generates clock signals.
- patent from the same year that covers triggering hardware interrupts in circuits that are hidden by software.
- 1993 patent for a keypad monitor.
The tidbits quoted sound to me like they could be very specific solutions and improvements to pre-existing technology, and could be very legitimate patents indeed. Just because the patent is old, or the subject matter it relates to is common, doesn't mean it's invalid.
Reading between the lines, I'd give Saxon the benefit of the doubt that their patents are legitimate, and that these companies may be infringing.
The headline and initial story make it sound like a very general/obvious patent, and implies Saxon is a patent troll. "Hey we invented the idea of encrypting wireless signals" (Nevermind that the Germans did it 60 years ago, and the practice of encrypted messages is ancient!)
The tidbits quoted sound to me like they could be very specific solutions and improvements to pre-existing technology, and could be very legitimate patents indeed. Just because the patent is old, or the subject matter it relates to is common, doesn't mean it's invalid.
Reading between the lines, I'd give Saxon the benefit of the doubt that their patents are legitimate, and that these companies may be infringing.
Maybe, or maybe not.
http://www.setexasrecord.com/news/20...istrict-courts
-about midway down the page:
"Oct. 18
- Saxon Innovations LLC vs. Nokia Corp. et al
Saxon Innovations is alleging that defendants Nokia, LG Electric, Samsung, Palm, Research In Motion, High Tech Computers, Sharp and Nintendo have infringed on four its patents through a variety of products."
Not to mention I can find no website for this "company". All that I can find online is is that Saxon Innovations is an "intellectual property licensing company" and Anthony Grillo is it's Senior VP.
Sounds like they just want sue, sue, sue.
Apparently a patent troll tracker website already did some research into Saxon Innovations:
http://www.wapatents.com/SaxonFormation.pdf
Apparently Saxon has also sued Nintendo, mid last year in addition to the other lawsuits.
Think about, you could patent the cure for cancer, or a car that runs on banana's... then patent it, and do nothing. That is not only unproductive and a drag on the economy, but also morally & ethically wrong!
If the government can 'seize' your property for 'the greater good'... then why can't the courts also rule for 'the greater good' of society, when companies actually make useful products? A company that sits on a patent without producing anything should be held to task for withholding good from society. Eminent Domain could also come into play with patent property as it does with real property.