ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 16, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Induction Technologies, Inc. ("AITI") recently prevailed on a motion for summary judgment that had been filed by Osram Sylvania, Inc. ("OSRAM") in a patent infringement case pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. OSRAM SYLVANIA is a part of the Siemens AG family of companies.
On November 01, 2010, the Honorable Judge Real granted AITI's motion to amend its patent invalidity counter claim to add Inequitable Conduct by OSRAM in getting Patent Number 5,834,905. AITI is pleased to know that new facts are surfacing as the case is proceeding. This litigation has been monitored by the lighting industry worldwide because a hundred year old Induction technology is the subject matter of this litigation. Same patent has been invalidated in China recently and is being challenged in South Korea and Canada now.
In the litigation, OSRAM alleges that AITI's 120W Cobra Head lamp infringes OSRAM's U.S. Patent No. 5,834,905. OSRAM felt so confident in its case, it asked the Court, the Honorable Manuel Real presiding, to grant it summary judgment of infringement without proceeding to trial. Judge Real found that, particularly in light of OSRAM's own evidence of noninfringement, a factual question remained as to whether AITI's lamp infringes. A hearing on AITI's pending motion for summary judgment that OSRAM's patent is invalid is scheduled for January 17, 2011.
"We believe that this lawsuit should never have been filed," stated a company spokesperson for AITI. "Our customers should rest assured that we believe we will be successful in this litigation. We will continue to offer and support our entire line of successful products including the 120 Watt Cobra Head model that is presently the subject of this meritless lawsuit."
AITI is represented in this matter by Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP.
About American Induction Technologies, Inc.
AITI is a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-quality induction lighting fixtures. AITI's induction fixtures with IC based lamp and generator systems have a rated life of 100,000 hours. AITI induction systems reduce energy consumption by half and also dramatically improve the quality of light. With considerable experience in both design engineering and manufacturing, AITI offers a wide range of light fixtures, including cobra heads, acorn fixtures, wall packs, garage lights, shoe boxes, high bay lights, gas station fixtures and billboard lights. AITI is also ARRA (Section 1605) compliant as per U.S. Department of Energy.