Wi-lan defends Bluetooth patent threat to sue all tech vendors

CNET Science and Information Network April 12 International reported a small Canadian wireless manufacturer, threatening to sue all the technology industry manufacturers. Wi-lan, based in Ottawa, will sue 18 of the largest technology companies for violating Bluetooth technology patents.　　Wi-lan accused the companies (including Acer, Apple, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Motorola, Sony and Toshiba) of violating a US patent for selling Bluetooth-equipped PCs and handsets. The patent involved is Wi-lan 5,515,369, the United States patent, obtained in 1996. The content covers a method of frequency-slip and frequency sharing on FH communication networks.　　According to Wi-lan PR director Tyler Burns, this is the technology that wireless systems (such as Bluetooth) circumvent interference with other wireless systems, such as Wi-Fi, when used for licensing bands. Data show that the patent was originally issued to Metricom. The company has launched the world's first wireless internet service and has gone bankrupt 10 years ago.　　But Burns refused to explain the relationship between Metricom and Wi-lan. Wi-lan, a frequent customer of patent lawsuits, has repeatedly sued other manufacturers. In 2002, Wi-lan sued Redline Communications for using wireless network technology to violate its patents.　　Shortly after the case was settled out of court in 2004, Wi-lan pointed the finger at the industry's leading Cisco and filed a similar lawsuit. In 2007, Wi-lan on the basis of violating Wi-Fi patents, and filed a complaint against 22 companies, including the defendants in the lawsuit. Another lawsuit against manufacturers of wireless handheld devices was introduced in June 2008.　　The two cases have been scheduled for January 2011. Wi-lan boasts more than 800 patented products, some of which are designed and manufactured, while others are licensed by outside companies.