For those that have been following the SAP v. TEKC patent infringement litigation.............Teknowledge Announces Countersuit Against SAP America, Inc. for Patent Infringement
PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Teknowledge Corporation (Nasdaq: TEKC) ( teknowledge.com ) today announced a countersuit against SAP America, Inc. and SAP Aktiengesellschaft for patent infringement of two Teknowledge patents. The countersuit was filed in response to a lawsuit filed by SAP on Oct. 9, 1999 asking the court to invalidate one Teknowledge patent.
The subject of the countersuit is U.S. Patent 4,591,983, entitled "Hierarchical Knowledge System," issued May 27, 1986, and U.S. Patent 4,783,752, entitled "Knowledge Based Processing for Application Programs Using Conventional Data Processing Capabilities," issued November 8, 1988. The '983 patent involves the technology of knowledge-based product configuration systems. The patent includes 70 claims describing a variety of important functions that sales and manufacturing companies seek in a knowledge-based configuration system. The '752 patent involves the technology of using conventional programming languages to interface with rule-based systems. The patent includes 41 claims describing various methods for interacting with knowledge-based systems.
Dr. Frederick Hayes-Roth, Chairman and CEO of Teknowledge, said, "Teknowledge has an extensive portfolio of important patents in the area of knowledge-based transaction services, and the company is committed to licensing these patented technologies where appropriate. In today's markets for complex and rapidly changing product lines, the ability to describe product configuration knowledge using hierarchical, object-oriented techniques is critical for marketing, selling, configuring, ordering, and servicing these products effectively and affordably."
Benedict O'Mahoney, Vice President, Administration and Legal Affairs, said, "We approached SAP about licensing our Intelligent Configuration Patent Portfolio, a collection of five patents relating to configuration technologies. SAP has chosen to contest one of the patents in the portfolio, and, initially, we are suing on two of the patents in the portfolio that we have determined are most relevant to SAP's product line. Teknowledge intends to defend its patents vigorously and has appointed Gray, Cary, Ware & Friedenrich for representation in this case."
Teknowledge's core business is in knowledge-based Internet transactions. The Company provides software component services and products for government and commercial Internet applications. Teknowledge's E-Commerce Systems business delivers Teknowledge and 3rd party software and services for financial and retail Internet sites. Teknowledge has been profitable for twenty consecutive quarters.
SOURCE Teknowledge Corporation
CO: Teknowledge Corporation; SAP America, Inc.; SAP Aktiengesellschaft
ST: California
IN: CPR MLM REA
SU: LAW
10/21/1999 12:43 EDT prnewswire.com |
