Agilent sues PixArt Imaging for patent infringement

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) has sued PixArt Imaging Inc. for patent infringement in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The suit alleges that PixArt infringes upon Agilent's U.S. Patent No. 6,433,780 relating to optical mouse sensor technology. PixArt had earlier brought a declaratory judgment action seeking a determination that Agilent's patent is invalid and not infringed. Agilent is seeking to stop PixArt from selling optical mouse sensors to companies manufacturing optical mice that are imported, distributed or sold in the United States. Agilent is also seeking damages from PixArt for its unauthorized use of Agilent's optical mouse sensor technology. "Agilent is recognized as one of the pioneers in optical mouse sensor technology," said Jeff Henderson, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Personal Systems Business Unit. "We have a significant and growing patent portfolio in relation to the manufacture and sale of patented optical mouse sensors for use in the United States. We will vigorously protect our investment in designing and developing this breakthrough technology from anyone who would infringe on our intellectual property rights." Agilent has shipped more than 200 million optical mouse sensors since the release of its first navigation sensor in 1999. Agilent supplies these sensors to all major optical mouse manufacturers worldwide. The technology works on virtually all surfaces by taking thousands of digital pictures per second, and is used in optical mice that range from inexpensive, entry-level models to high-precision versions. Since their introduction, optical mice powered by Agilent's optical sensing technology have established themselves as the standard in computer input devices.Source: PCBnewsline