CELESTRON DEFEATS MEADE'S CLAIM OF PATENT INFRINGEMENT IN FINAL SUMMARY JUDGEMENT
Court again rejects Meade's arguments, ruling that Celestron does not infringe Meade's patent, ending litigation that began in October of 2001
Santa ana, CA, May 23, 2003 - The United State District Court of the Central District of California entered its Order today granting Celestron's Motion for Summary Judgment under the Doctrine of Equivalents, that Celestron's NexStar® products do not infringe Meade Instruments U.S. Patent 6,304,376 related to Meade's ETX/Autostar telescope technology. The ruling includes Celestron's: NexStar 8 GPS and 11 GPS products, its NexStar 5, 8, 5i, 8i products, and its NexStar 60, 80, 114 and 4GT.
This judgment follows a previous ruling on February 28, 2003 in which the Court concluded that Celestron's products do not literally infringe Patent No. 6,304,376 related to Meade's ETX/Autostar telescope technology. Today's ruling spoke to whether or not Celestron's actions are equivalent to infringement under the Doctrine of Equivalents. The courts ruled that Celestron does not infringe under this Doctrine.
"This ruling is a moral victory as much as it is a legal victory," says Joseph A. Lupica, CEO and President of Celestron. "We have refused to employ the same underhanded tactics as Meade, and have endured backlash due to their misinformation and misrepresentations, even going so far as to accuse us of using their products in our research and development. We do not want to squash our competition; we are not intimidated by healthy, honest competition. Hopefully this ruling will show Meade that the real threat from us is in the high quality of our products. Let the real competition begin"
These two decisions against Meade Instruments represent a setback in Meade's attempt to restrict or prevent Celestron from manufacturing and marketing computerized telescopes. The '376 patent refers to "distributive intelligence" which is the technology that controls the computerized telescope.
About Celestron
Based in Torrance, California, Celestron has been a leading designer, manufacturer and importer of high quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, binoculars and microscopes for almost 40 years. Celestron is a leader in the sale of performance telescopes worldwide and has very strong brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology. Celestron sells its products worldwide through a variety of specialty retail outlets. Celestron has been management owned since June of 2002, when the long-term management team purchased the company from Tasco Worldwide. Celestron is a privately-held company.
More information is available at www.celestron.com. |
