MARSHALL, Texas, July 28 - A federal judge in Texas three days ago granted a permanent injunction in favor of Fish & Richardson's client Needham, Massachusetts-based Brooktrout, Inc. and against Eicon Networks Corp. of Montreal, Canada, and Eicon Networks, Inc., of Plano, Texas, in a patent infringement law suit involving the inbound routing of faxes over computer networks using dial telephone numbers.
Brooktrout has two patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 5,291,546 and 5,488,651) that protect its technology for routing faxes directly to e-mail using an ordinary direct dial telephone number. The case revolved around Eicon's Diva Server, which can be configured to enable the inbound routing of faxes over computer networks (for example to an e-mail box) using a direct dial telephone number. This configuration infringes Brooktrout's patents.
Under the terms of the injunction, Eicon must immediately stop supporting or encouraging infringement of Brooktrout's patents. This would include, for example, providing technical support or other assistance to customers using the Eicon Diva server in a way that infringes the patents. In addition, the order provides that Eicon may not publish or distribute documents in print or on a website accessible from the United States that contain any instructions to users explaining how to configure the Eicon Diva Server in a manner that infringes Brooktrout's patents. "These restrictions are sufficient to guard against the threat of future unlawful conduct," the Court stated in the Injunction Order.
"We expect that the defendant will comply with all of the terms of the injunction immediately," said Robert Hillman, a principal of Fish & Richardson who was lead counsel in the case. "Our client's goal has always been to protect its patented innovations. Brooktrout never sought to enjoin the sale of Eicon's products for non-infringing uses, but Brooktrout does want to prevent the use of those products in a way that infringes Brooktrout's patents. The judge's order does that."
Brooktrout Technology is a leading supplier of media processing, network interface, call control and signal processing products that enable the development of applications, systems and services for both the New Network (packet-based) and the traditional telephone (TDM) network. The company's strategy is to partner with its customers and collaborate closely with them to help accelerate their delivery of new applications and services, increase their existing business, and expand into new markets. For more information, visit www.brooktrout.com. Brooktrout Technology is a subsidiary of Brooktrout, Inc. (Nasdaq: BRKT).
Fish & Richardson is a national law firm with over 325 attorneys in nine offices serving clients in three core areas: intellectual property, litigation, and corporate law. The firm handles more patent litigation than any other law firm in the world.
Contact:
Amy Blumenthal
Blumenthal & Associates
+1 617-879-1511
Kelly Largey
Fish & Richardson P.C.
800-818-5070
SOURCE Fish & Richardson
Web Site: www.brooktrout.com