socialmedian: Failed Online Navigation Software Maker Sues Google, Yahoo And More Over Patent

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Failed Online Navigation Software Maker Sues Google, Yahoo And More Over Patent

Source: TechCrunch

Nov 04, 2009

Summary

Bone-headed patent lawsuit number 573482: a company called WebMap Technologies is suing a host of technology companies over an online map patent that was issued over 5 years ago, reports Law360 (requires registration).

The patent (ID US6772142) is titled “Method and apparatus for collecting and expressing geographically-referenced data” and covers a web-based implemented system in which observers may pinpoint locations on a scalable map in order to fix data by latitude and longitude and to collect data describing that location.

Who’s the company suing over this? None other than Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Expedia, TripAdvisor, Yelp, Travelocity, CitySearch, IAC/Interactivecorp, Yellowpages.com, The Washington Post Company, Ticketmaster, Zagat Survey and City Accommodations Network.

Wait, all of these? Yes, all of them.

The suit claims Google has been aware of the patent-in-suit for “some time” prior to the filing of the lawsuit and is seeking enhanced damages for willful infringement. WebMap is also reserving the right to allege willfulness against any of the oth

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