Nigerian firm wins interim injunction against OLPC, asks for $20M in damages

Well, it looks like that Nigerian keyboard patent infringement case against OLPC is underway, and it hasn't started out too well for Nick Neg and co.: the court has granted LANCOR's motion for an interim injunction against OLPC, meaning the XO can't be imported or sold in Nigeria. On top of that, LANCOR is now asking for $20M in damages, and has been searching the offices of OLPC-affiliated organizations in Nigeria for "evidence." All of this currently going down with zero input from OLPC's lawyers, but we're told the organization is preparing an "aggressive" response. Check the read link for an exhaustive summary of the case to date over at Groklaw.

[Via CNet]

[Chebwa @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:39PM]

Technology patents are becoming increasingly broad and absurd. Someone needs to step in and take some action in what can and cannot be patented, and they need to do it very soon. Every successful tech launch sees a handful of lawsuits months after it releases, sometimes even before. The patent system is flawed in a big way.

Fix it. Somebody? Please?

[insertAlias @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:51PM]

I can understand your frustration, but this suit was filed in Nigeria. These are Nigeria's laws, not ours, so we really don't have a way to fix it at all.

On topic, this is so sad. It is corporate money-grubbing at its worst.

[eugene @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:31PM]

Nigeria has laws? I thought they just killed a goat or something and some crazy woman on drugs figured out what the gods wanted them to do based on the way the goat kicked as it died.

On the other hand, it's nice to see that nigerians are ready and willing to stab their own kids in the back to steal a quick buck. Their theiving isn't just limited to stupid westerners anymore.

[eugene @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:31PM]

Nigeria has laws? I thought they just killed a goat or something and some crazy woman on drugs figured out what the gods wanted them to do based on the way the goat kicked as it died.

On the other hand, it's nice to see that nigerians are ready and willing to stab their own kids in the back to steal a quick buck. Their theiving isn't just limited to stupid westerners anymore.

[Andir3.0 @ Jan 2nd 2008 4:15PM]

$20 says Microsoft loaned them lawyers.

[skulldriveshaft @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:15PM]

They're here in the states, so there is a problem, notice how they have EDITED their mailing address to a P.O. Box now, I wish I had a screen shot of this page from a while back.

And some background info on the person running the show :[

http://blogs.cnet.com/8301-13505_1-9827611-16.html

I wonder if Microsoft knows fully where their "investment" into Nigeria has gone. Thanks assholes.

-------ADDRESS-------

Lagos Analysis Corporation

XXX

Natick, MA 01760

USA



Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]



Mailing Address:

PO Box 961144

Boston, MA 02196-1144

USA




LANCOR Management Ltd.

Plot 543 Cadastral Zone B5

Utako Business District

Abuja, FCT

Nigeria



Phone: [phone]

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

or



LANCOR Management Ltd.

5 Unity Road

Ikẹja, Lagos State

Nigeria



Phone: [phone]

Phone: [phone]

[okiedokie @ Mar 16th 2008 9:17AM]

What else would you expect from Nigeria, home of the famous "I've just got hold of $10 million, but need a bank account to place it in!" This is a country where the ruler has his opponents hacked to death on the street. Did the Nigerian court just discover QWERTY or does it believe that is a Nigerian invention? Corruption as usual- and picking on an NGO is really getting to the bottom of the barrel. They probably want nuisance money, about $600,000 that the dictator can spread it around and buy some new cars.

[Ipaq3115 @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:44PM]

OW! 20M!!!

[Ipaq3115 @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:45PM]

OW! 20M!!! it's just a keyboard...

[Ipaq3115 @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:46PM]

Now how did that happen?

[Mike @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:05PM]

Your Nigerian-made keyboard malfunctioned. You should sue.

[Ipaq3115 @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:11PM]

Haha, good idea... :-)

[Zach @ Jan 2nd 2008 4:13PM]

what do you mean his NIGERIAN-made keyboard. i manufactured that in Cameroon last month!

SUE!

[Superevil @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:47PM]

I think they can cut them a break considering how much money they've stolen from us.

[Brian @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:48PM]

So don't give the laptop to Nigeria, no big deal. It may help with keeping the Nigerian scam letters down.

[PrimoLevinas @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:22AM]

There are actually to arguments arising against this olpc-laptop. The first is that is id pedagogically useless (verly similar to arguments against laptops in western states schools). This was e.g. stated by India http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7094695.stm. Another argument for which i couldn´t find a source was the fear of the adults in developing countries that their own children are overtaking them. So maybe LANCOR is fighting a proxy war.

[kuade @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:50PM]

There is a much bigger picture here than just a keyboard, it is a last ditch attempt to prevent the education of millions of children in Nigeria. Change the channel from CNN to BBC and you might learn something about the turmoils in Africa.

[OneLove @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:04PM]

I agree

[Invisiblemoose @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:10PM]

I'm pretty sure handing out laptops isn't going to magically skyrocket education...

[N30 G30 @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:45PM]

If I never had internet since I was 11, I'd probably be a dumbass considering I never did well in school, all my jobs have been related to computers (I've done my rounds: help desk, programming, administration), and I get all my current news from the web.

I'm all for the OLPC project. I wanted to create open sourced programs for this particular machine. I believe giving a kid a computer with internet access leads to education, addiction to porn, or both.

[NHAnimator @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:50PM]

Dear sir:

I am writing to inform you that many keyboard patents have been secured for your UNCLE who passed away recently I'm so sorry. His entire fortune of US20.000.000MIL is being left in the care of our barristers and awaits a USbased bank for IMMEDIATE DEPOSIT. As you are the ONLY next of kin, kindly reply to this e-mail with...

[whatishalo? @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:33PM]

LAGOS, NIGERIA.

ATTENTION: POSTER NHAnimator

DEAR SIR,

CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE



HAVING CONSULTED WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND BASED ON THE INFORMATION GATHERED FROM THE NIGERIAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO CONVEY OUT OF JOYOUSNESS YOU HAVE INTREPDIDATED ON OUR MOST ENLIGHTENED PATENT PURSUANT TO SENDING EMAIL HUMBLY REQUESTING MONIES FROM THE GRACIOUS USER.

YOUR REQUIREMENT NOT MUST BE TO GRACIOUSLY SEND US $20 MILLION FOR VIOLATING OUR SACRED MONEY REQUESTING PATENTS.

MR MADU, CONSULATE

[DJWhiplash2001 @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:52PM]

The Nigerian is evidently requesting payment in the form of a Western Union transfer.

He will be using it to pay his legal fees for his inheritance, which will be $25M. If you give another $5M he will have access to $300M and will gladly send $100M for your troubles.

[mushrooshi @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:53PM]

This is just greedy.

Its like suing the kid down the street for 25 thousand in damages because he uses the same color lemons as you do.

[zorg @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:53PM]

DEAR SIRS:

I am redounded by sympathy for the outrageous treatment you have received in the lawsuit for 20 (twenty) million us dollars by my fastidious colleagues in the Nigerian MINISTRY OF JUSTICE. Let me offer to remit the (20) million dollars to your bank account so that you will not be discommoded by this breach of form. Please send me urgently all your bank particulars so my completely above-board process may kick in, so to speak, and the joyfulness of getting this lawsuit behind us may be felt where it counts.

Sincerely,

Adé Oyegbola, minister ex-officio

[oGMo @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:55PM]

Where are all the usual outraged politicians here? Just when you need someone to THINK OF THE CHILDREN...

Seriously, things like this are a pretty good way to see where peoples' loyalties really are...

[Ryan @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:58PM]

What politicians? This is Nigeria, their politicians are probably in on the cut. If you thinking of US politicians, why would they care? - these people don't vote for them.

[oGMo @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:05PM]

Not having any real influence never stopped anyone from feigning moral outrage if it profited them. ;)

[ScareyJ @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:15PM]

If this were truly about the welfare of the children, we'd be shipping the kids (and their parents) medication and resources to produce clean water (like $2 LifeStraws). Educating the children is a wonderful thing, but $150 is enough that would provide class room materials and lifestraws for 25 kids for a year.

As a modernized culture, we've become so spoiled that we want to give kids electronic devices that we think is important ... I suggest medicine, mesquito nets, clean water is more important to keep them alive and from being orphaned.

[insertAlias @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:27PM]

@ScareyJ
I hate that kind of logic:
Screw educating them, lets just scrap the whole program and feed 'em.
Off the cuff that sounds like a good idea, but in the long run it keeps them dependent on charity for the rest of their lives, rather than allowing them to learn useful skills that just may allow them to move up a little in the world.

[oGMo @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:30PM]

Blah blah blah, as if these were mutually exclusive. Your shallow, short-sighted, and incorrect arguments have been done over repeatedly. Go find someone who can't think---maybe they'll listen.

And no, $150 isn't enough for 25 kids for a year. It may be enough to buy you a spell checker and a grammar book, though. When you can't spell or do simple math, people should hardly trust your opinions on improving third-world countries and mass resource allocation.

[Kurtis @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:32PM]

@ScareyJ

"As a modernized culture, we've become so spoiled that we want to give kids electronic devices that we think is important ... I suggest medicine, mesquito nets, clean water is more important to keep them alive and from being orphaned."

Have you ever heard the saying, "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime"?

The way I see it, we have two choices:
1) Give people supplies day after day, year after year, to keep them just barely alive.
2) Give people educational tools (such as laptops) so they can efficiently fend for themselves.

[Rocketboy @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:45PM]

You fish with a laptop?

[John @ Jan 2nd 2008 4:31PM]

I thought in Nigeria, they fished with assault rifles.

[oGMo @ Jan 2nd 2008 4:37PM]

In Nigeria, they fish with spam.

[ScareyJ @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:20PM]

reposting:

CPEFund.org (under where money goes to Africa), "$183 can provide a 'School in a Box' - all the supplies and materials for a teacher to teach up to 80 students." Thats roughly $2.28/child, add a LifeStraw for $2; so $150 can cover approximately 35 children with teaching materials and safer drinking water.

No one says to stop education, but a balance should be found to help the people become safe, healthy, and educated. A laptop isn't required for any of these three. Teaching a person to fish doesn't require giving them a graphite rod and fancy lures ... nor a laptop (or even a spell checker). Someone can't learn from a text book, only from a YouTube video? that might be true for many youth here in modernized countries, but its not true for everyone.

The UN pumps tons of food into these countries, while chunks of it get taken and sold on the black market. The reality in some of the countries: mothers have to watch their babies die, babies have to watch their mothers die, 9 year old kids have to take over raising their orphaned siblings, food is stolen, militias/gang rape and kill women ... I'm betting that more than a few people will be killed for these devices and it'll become a whole new commodity on the black market.

[Barry @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:57PM]

DEAR,

I AM WRITING TO YOU TO REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH A GREAT FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY. MY UNCLE, DR. PETER OKOYE, HAS BEEN AWARDED $20 MILLION IN A SETTLEMENT WITH THE OLPC PROJECT. WE WILL BE WILLING TO SHARE 20 PERCENT OF THE MONEY IF YOU CAN ASSIST US IN MOVING THE MONEYS OUT OF NIGERIA. PLEASE SEND YOUR SSN#, BANK ROUTING NUMBER AND CHECKING ACCOUNT NUMBER. MANY THANKS FOR YOUR ASSIST IN THIS TRANSACTION.

BEST REGARDS,
DR. Peter Aka
DIRECTOR (K.T.T UNIT) C.B.N.

[SteveMB @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:45PM]

So you're the one who writes those up!

[Toadlet @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:59PM]

"Agressive response" = Send in the OLPC robot army!
http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/14/olpc-xo-and-irobot-create-brought-together-for-telepresence-hack/

[Peter @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:04PM]

A few greedy people are more than happy to take 20 million at the expense of their country's children? Well, that's a nice little demonstration about how Africa got where it is today and why it's very likely to stay right there.

[Nick @ Jan 2nd 2008 4:11PM]

you think any of this would have happened differently if it were to happen in the US? Greedy people are the same everywhere in the world. You see many "white collar" crimes that are similar to this in the US.

[OneLove @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:05PM]

Biggest nigerian scam ever.

[Ian @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:12PM]

Nigeria sucks. And to think I just trashed a Nigerian scam offering me $20 million if I'd only help launder the fortune of some "king."

[Matt L @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:11PM]

Who sues a non-profit trying to do what they see as a good thing?

[Ryan @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:16PM]

Lets see Nick mess with these guys to get them up on 419eater.com . That would be the scambait of the century! ;-)

[Tom @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:24PM]

This proves, beyond a shaodow of doubt, the complete and utter corruption of Nigeria at every level.. from the government to the courts. There is no grouds what-so-ever for a patent infringement lawsuit. The OLPC keyboard is a standard international keyboard that's been around for decades. The LANCOR is a different layout based around 4 seperate and distinct shift keys that allows for multi-language typing from the keyboard without having to change the layout within the OS. The fact this stupid lawsuit has been allowed to continue shows that the courts have been paid off by LANCOR. The fact that the government has gone along with this by suspending their 1 million OLPC purchase shows that they have been paid off by LANCOR as well (or have LANCOR execs within the government). LANCOR even opened up fake offices in Natick, MA (home of OLPC) for use in this case. (Check their website.. that Nigerian company all of a sudden has an incomplete address in Natick and a Boston based PO Box.. a sign that many eBayers and long time online shoppers recognize as a red flag for fraud). This is disgusting and I urge everyone to write to Amazon.com and demand that they stop supporting this fraud company bt ending their retail partnership with LANCOR and Konyin (Amazon sells their Keyboards within the US).

[Benjamizzle @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:56PM]

Nigerians are so greedy, they will even try to fuck up a product that will help millions out of poverty and educate them so perhaps thier damn country can stop sucking up the rest of the worlds money!

[Organic_Shadow @ Jan 2nd 2008 4:00PM]

Never thought I would ever say this, but:

WHERE IS OPRAH?!?!

[jbcaro @ Jan 2nd 2008 4:10PM]

Is $20 million the magic number in Nigeria? Every scam that has ever come out of that country has the $20 million tag on it. Do they not know any other number?

[Quiet_Storm @ Jan 2nd 2008 4:29PM]

I am saddened but not surprised at the various ignorant comments that I have read. Instead of dealing with the actual substance of the issue, it seems as though most of the commenters have found a convenient outlet to express their bigoted/stereotypical views all in the name of their “outrage” at this case. Other than the email scams that are purportedly from Nigeria, I am curious to know what other exposure most of the commenters have with Nigeria that warrants the blanket statements or comments that have been made here? Now answer me this, do you think that the average Nigerian would not love the opportunity to buy one of the OLPC laptops? In case you were wondering, the answer is probably a resounding yes but please let us stick to the issue at hand i.e. is there a colorable claim? If the answer is yes, then let the (private) parties have their day in court. Assuming Lancor has a claim, just because OLPC has a charitable goal/purpose does not mean it is okay for them to “steal” Lancor’s work/product. Is the case worth the $20 million that Lancor is asking for? I have absolutely no idea, but it seems as though Lancor has learnt a thing or two about filing lawsuits from the legal system here in America. In a society such as the US, which places a high value on the concept of individual rights, I find the outrage expressed here to be somewhat hypocritical –oh let me guess, it shouldn’t apply here b/cos we want to save the starving kids, right? Am I disappointed that there is a lawsuit? Yes. Will I be even more disappointed if the lawsuit is in fact frivolous? You bet I will. But I will be honest with you, I am not in a position to reach a conclusion on this issue and neither are most of you. Please don’t use this topic as an excuse to voice your bigoted/uninformed views about Nigeria – contrary to the beliefs of a lot of the commenters, not every Nigerian is a scam artist.