Cognex and Microscan settle litigation between parties

July 9, 2015
Microscan Systems, Inc. and Cognex Corporation have announced a settlement of all outstanding litigation between parties. 

Microscan Systems, Inc. and Cognex Corporation have announced a settlement of all outstanding litigation between parties.

This past May, we reported that a jury had decided in favor of Microscan in its patent infringement lawsuit against Cognex. The lawsuit filed by Microscan alleged that Cognex’s DataMan handheld imagers (models 7500, 8500, 8600, 9500, and other variants) infringe upon U.S. Patent No. 6,352,204 (the "204 patent") held by Microscan. The 204 patient is fundamental to the optimal reading of direct part marks using low-angle dark field illumination.

Cognex was found by the jury to have infringed on three of the asserted patent claims, and the jury rejected Cognex’s invalidity challenges to the claims. Furthermore, the jury found that Microscan was entitled to “reasonable royalty” damages for past infringement. The case was tried in the U.S. District Court for theSouthern District of New York with U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff, presiding.

Following this, both companies have agreed to settle litigation between parties, including a patent cross-license agreement that allows both companies to continue producing current models of their handheld barcode readers.

"I’m pleased that we reached an agreement so that both companies can focus on the needs of the marketplace without the distraction of litigation," said Robert J. Willett, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cognex.

Scott L. Summerville, President of Microscan Systems, Inc. also commented. "Both companies have a long and proud history of innovation. This agreement allows us to continue leveraging that innovation for the benefit of our respective customers and the market."

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About the Author

James Carroll

Former VSD Editor James Carroll joined the team 2013.  Carroll covered machine vision and imaging from numerous angles, including application stories, industry news, market updates, and new products. In addition to writing and editing articles, Carroll managed the Innovators Awards program and webcasts.

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