Google sued over patent by Northeastern University

Lawyer Blogs

Google Inc faces a federal patent infringement lawsuit by Northeastern University over technology used in its core Web search system, according to legal papers filed last week. The complaint was filed on Nov. 6 in Marshall, in the Eastern District of Texas -- the U.S. court with a history of decisions that are highly favorable to plaintiffs in patent cases -- but the case only came to light over the weekend.

The plaintiffs are Boston-based Northeastern University and Jarg Corp, a start-up founded by a Northeastern University professor that is the exclusive licensee of search technology patented in 1997, a year before Google was incorporated.

A spokesman for Mountain View, California-based Google said it believed the suit was without merit.

"While we have not been served, we are aware of the complaint and believe it to be without merit based upon our initial investigation," Google spokesman Jon Murchison said.

The leading Internet company derives 99 percent of its revenue from online advertising, which is delivered in response to keyword searches Google users perform to find Web links.

Michael Belanger, president and co-founder of Jarg, said in a phone interview that his company had become aware of the infringement several years ago, but lacked the resources to press its case until it found a law firm willing to fund the case on a contingency-fee basis. Northeastern then signed on.

The plaintiffs' attorneys are from the Texas-based global law firm of Vinson & Elkins, which is paying the costs of the case, assisted by local counsel in Marshall and nearby Tyler. 

Related listings

  • Court Reviews exxonmobil Damages Case

    Court Reviews exxonmobil Damages Case

    Lawyer Blogs 11/12/2007

    [##_1L|1244752632.jpg|width="130" height="98" alt=""|_##]The Supreme Court on Oct. 29 agreed to review an award of $2.5 billion in punitive damages against ExxonMobil, stemming from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska: --The case is the final m...

  • Rules for plaintiffs with Vioxx claims

    Rules for plaintiffs with Vioxx claims

    Lawyer Blogs 11/09/2007

    Former users of withdrawn painkiller Vioxx will be eligible for a piece of manufacturer Merck & Co.'s $4.85 billion nationwide settlement if they meet strict criteria meant to weed out people with bogus claims. They must:-- Have had a claim filed...

  • Supreme Court Takes Up Arbitration Case

    Supreme Court Takes Up Arbitration Case

    Lawyer Blogs 11/08/2007

    [##_1L|1219782649.jpg|width="130" height="90" alt=""|_##]A seemingly divided Supreme Court on Wednesday debated whether the judiciary should play a role in arbitration cases, the process used by businesses to sort out tens of thousands of disputes as...

New Rochelle, New York Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP, in New Rochelle, New York, immediately. We can answer all your questions and work with you to determine if you have the grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. The attorneys at our firm are determined to resolve even the most difficult of cases. We will work closely with you to determine the best course of action to get your claim or case resolved in the most efficient way possible. We will fight for your right to compensation! No one should have to suffer a financial burden from the result of another person’s carelessness. The attorneys at Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP will aggressively fight to ensure that justice is served on your behalf.

Business News

New York & New Jersey Family Law Matters We represent our clients in all types of proceedings that include termination of parental rights. >> read