GE hits SonoSite with suit over five ultrasound patents
General Electric Company has hit SonoSite with a patent infringement lawsuit over a dispute involving five different patents. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, and alleges that SonoSite's MicroMaxx and Titan products willfully infringe GE's U.S. patents (Nos. 4,932,415; 5,584,294; 6,120,447; 6,210,327; and 6,418,225), each relating to ultrasound technology.
In the suit, GE is seeking an unspecified amount in monetary damages as well as an injunction against SonoSite to keep the company from utilizing the technology.
SonoSite and GE have gone head to head in the hand-carried ultrasound market since 2002.
SonoSite stated in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it is currently analyzing the validity of the allegations.
This has been a busy year for SonoSite regarding patent disputes. Back in February the company filed its own patent infringement lawsuit against competitor Zonare Medical Systems and its z.one ultrasound platform. In response, Zonare filed a counter suit regarding a portable ultrasound unit and docking station. That case is currently pending.
In the suit, GE is seeking an unspecified amount in monetary damages as well as an injunction against SonoSite to keep the company from utilizing the technology.
SonoSite and GE have gone head to head in the hand-carried ultrasound market since 2002.
SonoSite stated in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it is currently analyzing the validity of the allegations.
This has been a busy year for SonoSite regarding patent disputes. Back in February the company filed its own patent infringement lawsuit against competitor Zonare Medical Systems and its z.one ultrasound platform. In response, Zonare filed a counter suit regarding a portable ultrasound unit and docking station. That case is currently pending.