Ultra Products Inc. Files Suit Against 22 Manufacturers Of Modular Power Supplies For Patent Infringement
Ultra Products Inc. has filed a suit against 22 top power supply makers claiming that it was the first to patent the technology for modular DC interface power supplies in 2004.
The patent relates to the power supply adapted for installation within a computer case for receiving ac current from an ac current source and providing dc current from the power supply to a component disposed inside of the computer via a removable cable attached to the power supply.
The USPTO issued to the patent in November of 2006 under U.S. Patent Number 7,133,293. Since then, the company states that it has issued 22 confidential written warnings to various power supply manufacturers informing them that they allow users to breach their patent for "Personal computer power supply installed within a case of a personal computer."
Ultra filed the suit in the United States District of Florida Orlando Division and named as defendants: Antec, Inc., Channel Well Technology Co. Ltd., Channel Well Technology Co. U.S.A., Inc., Corsair Memory, Inc., Enhance Electronics Co. Ltd., E-Power Technology/PCMCIS, SPI Electronic Co. Ltd., FSP Group USA Corp., Koolance USA, Mushkin, Inc., OCZ Technology, Sea Sonic Electronics Co. Ltd., Silverstone Technology, Inc., Spire-Bytecom Fanner Corp., Tagan Technology Co. Ltd., Tagan Technology Co., Thermaltake Technology Co. Ltd., Thermaltake, Inc., Topower Computer Industrial Co. Ltd., Topower Computer U.S.A., Inc., Zalman Technology Company Ltd. and Zalman USA, Inc.
Ultra is not seeking an injunction against the 22 other companies, arguing that since the other manufacturers were informed in 2006 and early 2007, after the patent was granted, they knowingly infringed on Ultra’s intellectual property. Thus, Ultra is seeking as much as triple damages against the power supply manufacturers – the maximum allowed by law.
At press time, none of the companies named in the suit had responded on the record, but many hinted that they weren't convinced of the validity of Ultra’s claims.
