USPTO concludes patent validity for i4i

TORONTO, July 27 /CNW/ - In the latest development in the i4i v Microsoft patent infringement case, i4i is pleased to announce that today the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has issued a Reexamination Certificate which confirms the patentability of all claims of U.S. Patent 5,787,449 ('449) that had been put into the reexamination proceeding by Microsoft. This issuance of the Reexamination Certificate formally concludes the reexamination proceeding favorably for i4i.

Loudon Owen, Chairman of i4i, says, "Put simply Microsoft lost the trial, lost the appeal, and lost the reexamination. The PTO agreed with i4i. i4i's patent is clearly and unequivocally valid" Mr. Owen adds, "The protection of patents and intellectual property is vital to small inventors and pioneers like i4i, especially when confronted by giant infringing industry competitors like Microsoft."

Michel Vulpe, founder of i4i and co-inventor, says, "i4i is extremely satisfied with the decision of the PTO. We filed our application in 1994 and have been on this journey with the '449 patent for more than 16 years" Mr Vulpe adds, "Our patent claims were put under intense scrutiny by the PTO during this reexamination, so the decision is especially meaningful as it further re-validates the '449 patent."

In March 2007, i4i sued Microsoft for willful infringement of its '449 patent. Prior to trial, Microsoft filed an application with the PTO seeking a reexamination of certain claims of the '449 patent. After detailed review by the PTO in the reexamination proceeding, which took approximately 18 months, an NIRC (Notice of Intent to Issue a Reexamination Certificate) was issued on April 28, 2010. With the Reexamination Certificate issued today, this confirms the patentability of all the claims which had been put into reexamination by Microsoft.

i4i is a global technology company headquartered in Toronto, Canada. For more information on i4i v. Microsoft, selected court documents can be found on www.i4ilp.com.

For further information: Loudon Owen - [email protected] or 416-307-3271; Melony Jamieson - [email protected] or 416-518-6355