Library Technology Guides

Another lawsuit is underway in the library underway in the library automation industry, this time in the RFID and self-service circulation arena. 3M, one of the veteran companies in the use of electromagnetic and RFID technologies for library security systems, self-check, inventory, and other automation functions has filed suit against EnvisionWare, Inc. which has more recently introduced a suite of competing products. The complaint (Case 0-09-cv-01594-ADM-FLN) filed in the United States District Court of Minnesota on June 23, 2009, describes the products and technologies 3M has developed and refers to the patents that it has been awarded. 3M claims that specific EnvisionWare’s products infringe upon patents that it has been awarded. Products in question include EnvisionWare’s LibraryPDA, selected features in its OneStop self-service circulation system dealing with fines and fees.

The patents which 3M claims have been infringed include: "Applications For Radio Frequency Identification Systems" United States Patent No. 6,232,870, "Applications For Radio Frequency Identification Systems" United States Patent No. 6,486,780, and "Terminal For Libraries And The Like" United States Patent No. 6,857,568.

No specific amount of damages is mentioned in the complaint. A date for trial has not yet been set.

Marshall Breeding Oct 21, 2009 20:44:57 Link to this thread