HP Sues Acer, Again

April 24, 2007

Hewlett-Packard filed a second lawsuit against Taiwan-based PC manufacturer Acer in an East District court in Texas last week, this time over patents related to heat management, power savings, data flow regulation, and picture quality.

Hewlett-Packard filed a second lawsuit against Taiwan-based PC manufacturer Acer in an East District court in Texas last week, this time over patents related to heat management, power savings, data flow regulation, and picture quality.

As with its previous suit , HP is claiming that Acer, along with a U.S. subsidiary, knowingly infringed on various PC-related patents issued between 1997 and 2003.

HP said in a statement that it currently holds more than 6,000 patents "related to PC technology, including power management, DVD editing and a broad range of other features that improve computer efficiency and enhance the user's computer experience."

The new lawsuit seeks to stop the Taiwan manufacturer from exporting any more of its PCs to the U.S., as well as treble damages for alleged intentional violation of the patents and payment for all legal fees.

"The filings were necessary because HP believes Acer has been importing into the United States and selling computer products that use HP's patented technologies without permission. HP will continue to take action to protect its intellectual property against unauthorized use. HP respects the intellectual property rights of others, and we expect the same treatment in return," a company statement said.

Counting the newly filed lawsuit, HP's patent claims against Acer now total 10. The lawsuits also come as Acer continues exponential year-over-year market share growth in the U.S. market.

According to research firm IDC, Acer grew its share of the market 37.9 percent from 2005 to 2006. The manufacturer also recently began selling laptop PCs at U.S. retailers like Best Buy, and some analysts are saying that Acer will be adding more retailers to that list in the near future.

Acer remains the fastest-growing PC manufacturer in the world for the third year in a row, according to research firm Gartner. As of Q1, the manufacturer also has the fourth-highest market share, behind HP, Dell, and Lenovo.

While Acer previously said it will be investigating HP's initial claims, company representatives were not immediately available for comment.

Copyright 2007 by Ziff Davis Media, Distributed by United Press International