Wi-LAN files patent suit against Apple, Dell, HP, Intel, 18 others

Ottawa-based communications IP licensing provider Wi-LAN Inc. has filed two patent infringement law suits against 22 major technology players related to Wi-Fi and to power consumption in DSL products, in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.

The companies named in the filings are Acer, Apple, Atheros Communications, Belkin International, Best Buy Co., Broadcom, Buffalo Technology, Circuit City Stores, Dell, D-Link, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, Infineon Technologies, Intel, Lenovo Group, Marvell Semiconductor, Netgear, Sony, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, Westell Technologies, and 2Wire.

In its filings, Wi-LAN claims that these companies have infringed and continue to infringe its U.S. patent numbers 5,282,222, RE37,802 and 5,956,323 by making and/or selling various products, including wireless routers, modems and personal notebook computers that use the patents that are related to Wi-Fi and to power consumption in DSL products, the company said.

Jim Skippen, President and CEO of Wi-LAN, said in a statement: “Wi-LAN has successfully negotiated patent licensing deals with a number of companies covering a broad range of patent families and technologies. Our existing licensing agreements are a strong endorsement of the strength and validity of our valuable patent portfolio. While we prefer to resolve patent infringement through business discussions, we have consistently maintained that litigation was always a possibility when negotiations do not result in a license within a reasonable time.”

As such, last month Wi-LAN announced an agreement for its Canadian Patent number 2,179,474 and U.S. Patent number 5,828,402 with Taiwan-based original equipment manufacturer AmTRAN Technology Co. Ltd., the running royalty licenses of which are valid for the lives of the patents through 2016.

Also, Wi-LAN inked a definitive license agreement with Fujitsu Ltd. last month for a license to the entire Wi-LAN patent portfolio. The consideration paid by Fujitsu for the license will consist of cash and approximately forty communications patents which will be transferred to Wi-LAN.

Another deal with Fujitsu in May 2006 covered Fujitsu Microelectronics of America’s purchase of Wi-LAN's entire technology development division for $2 million and finalized Wi-LAN’s transformation into a pure patent licensing company.

Wi-LAN currently holds a portfolio of more than 280 issued or pending patents.