5,969,156 issued in 1999, claiming the crystalline form of atorvastatin calcium, the active ingredient of Lipitor.

Pfizer sold $10.86 billion of Lipitor in 2004; 60% of those sales in the U.S.

Pfizer spokesman Paul Fitzhenry disputed PUBPAT Poobah Daniel Ravicher's bald-faced assertion that 5,969,156 covered amorphous versions of the patented drug compound, explaining that the company filed amendments to the patent that more clearly defined the claimed compound, not to mention that the '156 claims, patent title, and abstract lead with "crystalline form."

5,969,156 is separate from two other patents being challenged in court by Indian drug maker Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., who wants to make a generic version of Lipitor.

Dan Ravicher just wants to make news tilting at windmills.