Phoenix Litigation Stayed in Favor of Nevada Litigation - May 08, 2000
On May 4, 2000, Judge Holland granted the motion of Lucent to stay certain parts of the Phoenix litigation involving Lucent, in favor of litigation by bar code manufacturers and Cognex in Nevada.
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Foundation Files Five New Suits in Phoenix - April 16, 2000
On April 14, 2000, the Lemelson Foundation reportedly filed five new lawsuits in federal court in Phoenix. The suits name approximately 430 defendants and appear to be broken down by industry (one for manufacturing, one for distribution, one for personal products, one for use of "web inspection systems," and one for electronics). The copies of the complaints posted here are electronic versions that may differ somewhat from the ones reportedly filed in court. It also appears that the Foundation has not served any of the complaints and may have no intention of doing so in the next few months. Go to "Litigation Documents" to download the complaints.

Recent Filings in Intel and Lucent Cases - March 17, 2000
We've added about 10 new documents filed by certain defendants or the Lemelson Foundation in the Intel and Lucent cases. The documents include (1) a motion to stay most of the Intel case based on the pending US Metals action; (2) a partial opposition to the Foundation's efforts to stay the entire Lucent case in light of the Intel case and seeking a stay of part of the Lucent case based on the Cognex and Symbol Technologies cases; (3) a motion for partial summary judgment filed by the Foundation in the Intel case; and (4) a motion to amend the complaint filed in the Lucent case.

Foundation Petitions to Vacate Reexam - February 16, 2000
Earlier this year, the Foundation filed a Petition to Vacate Order Granting Reexamination of the '421 patent. The PTO had previously ruled that it would grant reexamination of the patent. A copy of the Petition is available on the "Litigation Docs" page.

Litigation Developments - February 15, 2000
The Lemelson Foundation moved to stay the Lucent 88 case pending the resolution of the Intel litigation. Separately, Texas Instruments has moved for a separate trial in the Intel litigation. Download them in "Litigation Documents".

Lemelson Foundation Announces 501st Licensee - February 08, 2000
The Lemelson Foundation announced today that it signed its 501st licensee to the portfolio of patents listing Jerome Lemelson as an inventor. The Foundation considers the list of licensees "confidential" but has made it widely available to companies engaged in settlement negotiations. If you or your company has been approached by the Foundation and you have not seen the licensee list, be sure to ask the Foundation for a copy.

US Metals Files Response to Motion to Dismiss - February 08, 2000
On January 14, 2000, US Metals filed a 60 page Opposition to the Lemelson Foundation's Motion to Dismiss in the US Metals case. US Metals asserts an interest in the Lemelson patents that have been the subject of the Lemelson Foundation's licensing campaign. In another development, US Metals is now represented by Joe Jamail and Vinson & Elkins. A hearing on the motion to dismiss is scheduled for March 24, 2000. The opposition papers have been split into two parts to facilitate downloading them. Download them in "Litigation Documents".

Reexamination Order for '421 Patent - January 31, 2000
Lemelsonpatents.com has obtained a copy of the Order Granting Reexamination of the '421 patent. The reexamination was ordered based on "Obvious-Type Double Patenting" between the '421 patent and U.S. Patent No. 4,959,038. Download a copy of the order: click here.

Litigation Documents Added - January 21, 2000
We've added three new documents: Lucent's Answer and Counterclaims in the Lucent case; Tandy's Answer and Counterclaims in the same case (they have been consolidated); and Intel's Statement of Material Facts in Support of its Renewed Motion for Summary Judgment re Invalidity of the "Auto ID" patents in the Intel case. Go to the "Litigation Documents" section to download these documents.

PTO Grants Re-Exam of Bar Code Patent - January 20, 2000
The January 4, 2000 Official Gazette reports that Jonathan E. Grant of Washington D.C. has requested reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 5,144,421. The '421 patent has been asserted by the Foundation as a patent that covers the use of bar coding equipment and has an expiration date of June 2, 2009. We understand that the request for reexamination is based on double patenting and that the request has been granted. Documents confirming this will be posted once they are obtained.