HP slams Acer for alleged patent infringement (again)

Pulling out all the stops to protect its industry-leading 20-percent share of the global PC market, HP's lawyers rolled into the Marshall, Texas federal courthouse this morning and slapped Acer with another four counts of patent infringement, adding to the previous suit filed in March. HP claims that Acer also knowingly violated HP patents covering power and heat management, regulation of the data bus, and video scaling, bringing the total number of patents allegedly infringed to nine. Seeing as Acer led the industry in growth last quarter and is on track to surpass Dell as #2 (according to IDC), HP's request that the court stop the importation or sale of any Acer machines that might infringe the patents and award massive cash damages would go a long way towards protecting HP's all-important marketshare. Given the stakes involved and the nasty and protracted nature of most patent disputes, expect to see this one drag on for a while.

[Via Engadget Chinese]

[oGMo @ Apr 23rd 2007 9:56PM]

Someone got the logo wrong... shouldn't that be "HP | litigate"?

[3rdsun @ Apr 23rd 2007 10:05PM]

This is just lame. HP taking a page out of Apple's lawyer book.

[Loonie @ Apr 23rd 2007 10:38PM]

Oh how wearying this stupid patent bullshit has become.

[scabby @ Apr 23rd 2007 11:46PM]

Weary of the patent BS? I'm weary of the word "slams". And "blasts". Can't news people come up with more imaginative words for these phenomena? Engadget, please, if you need my help, I can do it. Send me news articles and I'll rewrite your taglines. "Slamming" should encapsulate some physical action, while what actually happened is old, rich, white men gathered together, and possibly separately, and talked into microphones, said stuff to older white men in black robes, and in general were solemn.

No slamming took place. No "blasting" occurred either, so don't even think about it, mister. I'm watching you.

[OddManOut @ Apr 24th 2007 3:45AM]

Breaking News:

Poster Slams Tech Blog, Blasts Writers Over Shallow Pool of Verbs !

[Cozzie @ Apr 24th 2007 7:59AM]

to a certain degree i have to agree with him. This is borderline creative writing, not reporting.

[mattclarkie @ Apr 24th 2007 11:27AM]

Seems to me that HP is making up patent infringements in an attempt to damage/destroy Acer so that they can't be over taken by them.

I could be wrong, but over 90% (made up that statistic) of patent infringments are just common sense.
.E.G How can we cool this computer? I know a fan.
How can we open this door? Maybe some type of handle.

[Geoff Gibson @ Apr 24th 2007 12:55PM]

HP quite possibly makes some of the worst PCs ever. I honestly don't know why people still buy computers from them. I would buy a Compaq, thats right a COMPAQ, before I bought an HP. Not only that but they are infamous for using shady business tactics.

Not a good company. If you must have a factory computer I'd go with Dell, Gateway, Emachine, or Acer. Possibly Compaq if you get a really good deal.

[Ayle @ Apr 24th 2007 1:26PM]

Isnt Acer no1 in Europe? If they get their sales halted, I bet they'll find a way to retaliate...