CEO said: Here's a summary of my conversation with E-Data's
CEO, Grant Robertson last week:
He monitors this thread and sees some inaccuracies
and "half truths".
Patent expires in 2003 in US (not 2002), 2005 in Europe.
Any co doing bus in US & Europe will have
to pay royalties until 2005.
In Europe, the loser does pay the winner's attorney fees.
Perhaps because of this fact, there is less litig.
But when pursuing litigation, the cts are less
crowded and cases are tried much sooner. So, when
persuing infringers in Eu, it will not take this long.
No indication of a Ct date yet for the Markman.
They are going after key net businesses that are "seemingly"
infringing to get GIFT "in the door" of the
major publishers of the "digital data" such as
a Sony music, etc, to set up some sort of a
"win/win" rev sharing arrangement where the "publisher" is the
"toll collector" for GIFT and would also benefit from this.
Publishers already collect and disburse royalties to the artists.
They are calling these strategies Alliances/Licenses.
GIFT is also looking for synergistic acquisitions
that will carry GIFT thru 2003, 2005, etc. Mr Robertson
does not intend to let GIFT "die" when the patent expires.
GIFT is considering becoming a reporting co. if they
"have to" they will consider the costs of NASDAQ compliance.
Hyping: Mr R does not hype. He waits until the "bird is in the
hand" before telling about it. One thing I can say is that he is
going after quite a few "birds". Mel |
