Sony sued for patent infringements
by Chris Powell 
{ Jul 17th 2006 at 8:36AM }
In a pissing match of epic proportions, Agere Systems, a self-proclaimed global leader in semiconductors for storage, wireless data, and public and enterprise networks, is suing Sony and some of its divisions for eight patent infringments that were used in products such as the PSP. The patents relate to a "wireless local area network apparatus" to "barrier layer treatments for tungsten plug." Agere wants Sony to compensate them for profits made by Sony using their technology. Agere also claims Sony knowingly and willfully infringed on the patents and is asking the courts to boost the damages awarded as much as three times what it would have been otherwise.
However, Sony disputes they have the rights to seven of eight of the patents from an earlier deal with AT&T and Lucent. Sony has also said they believe Augere improperly obtained some of the patents and have asked the judge to declare them invalid. In return, Augere has denied Sony's counterclaim and has demanded a jury trial.
[Via PSP Advanced]
