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August 15, 2006

Carded

In a classic case of overreaching, E-Pass Technologies was shot down for the second time for trying to pose a multi-function electronic card, claimed in 5,276,311, as a personal digital assistant (PDA), first suing Palm unsuccessfully, then Microsoft and HP. In the Southern District of Texas, Judge Hoyt ruled in favor of Microsoft & HP, that PDAs were not "cards," that non-infringement was so obvious as to be a matter of law, and thus granting summary judgment.

Cluelessness unsurpassed by greed, E-Pass had sought an injunction and $210 million in damages. Clowns like this are going to give patents a bad reputation.

Posted by Patent Hawk at August 15, 2006 4:10 PM | Litigation