Hard-disc manufacturer Cornice has launched a
countersuit in response to a patent infringement lawsuit filed in
the US in June by rival manufacturer Seagate
Technology.
Seagate's case alleged that Cornice's one inch Storage Element
hard drives violate six of its patents covering a range of
technologies, including the guiding system for the actuator arm
that scans the surface of the disc for data.
It seeks to prevent Cornice from selling the Storage Element
drives in the US, and includes a claim for damages.
In July, Seagate took its claims to the US International Trade
Commission, seeking to block the import of any device that contains
a Storage Element hard drive.
Cornice's countersuit seeks a ruling that Seagate's patents are
invalid, unenforceable, and not infringed by Cornice's products. It
also alleges that Seagate's lawsuit is baseless and constitutes
unfair competition and tortious interference, entitling Cornice to
damages from Seagate.
Cornice faces similar allegations of patent infringement from
another hard-disc maker, Western Digital. In June, it filed a
patent infringement lawsuit against Cornice in the US.
In that suit Western Digital alleged that Cornice has infringed
on seven of its patents related to hard-disc technology and is
seeking damages and a ruling that will prevent Cornice from further
infringements.
Sumner Lemon writes for IDG News Service