Hewlett-Packard has sued Gateway, accusing the rival PC-maker of
infringing its rights in six patents relating to laptop, desktop
and server computers, originally held by Compaq and licensed by
South Korean PC-maker eMachines, according to the New York
Times.
Compaq was acquired by HP two years ago and eMachines was
acquired by Gateway earlier this year. The original licence ended
in 1999; the lawsuit follows the breakdown of licensing talks
between HP and Gateway.
Gateway spokesman Bob Sherbin said the claim would be vigorously
defended, adding, "The fact is that both companies are in
possession of significant patent rights in the area of computer
technology." He warned, "It's premature for them not to take this
into consideration before proceeding for a lawsuit."
HP created an intellectual property holdings subsidiary last
year, Hewlett Packard Development Company, which holds around
21,000 patents.
