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TGIP scores big in AT&T patent case |
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Written by Felix Da Silva (fdasilva@bitnip.com)
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Tuesday, 25 September 2007 |
 A Texas-based company has won a $156 million verdict against AT&T in a
patent dispute over calling-card technologies.
According to Wireless Week, the Texas-based company, TGIP, sued AT&T last year, accusing the company of violating a pair of patents it
owned for technologies that allow consumers to "recharge" calling cards by
purchasing extra time at retail outlets.
The court could triple the award to $468 million on its own discretion because the jury found that AT&T willfully infringed TGIP's patents. TGIP is also seeking awards for the legal fees and future royalties from AT&T.
U.S. District Judge Ron Clark will make a final determination on the AT&T award later this fall. However, AT&T said it would appeal the jury's decision which is to be expected.
Separately, Verizon Communications said it reached a settlement with
Dallas-based TGIP in a similar suit. A spokesman for TGIP said that other
defendants besides Verizon also reached settlements before going to trial.
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