Siemens Seeks $160 Million From Seagate in Trial Over Patent

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Seagate Technology is currently in litigation with four organizations or individuals:

Convolve and the MIT,

Shao Tong, and a private Chinese company, Nanjing Yisike Network Safety Technique Co., Ltd.,

Siemens AG,

StorMedia Texas LLC.

Concerning Siemens, AG vs. Seagate Technology

, here is an abstract of the last Seagate's annual report:

"On August 23, 2006, Siemens, AG, a German corporation, filed a complaint against Seagate Technology in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,686,838 (the ‘838 patent) entitled 'Magnetoresistive Sensor Having at Least a Layer System and a Plurality of Measuring Contacts Disposed Thereon, and a Method of Producing the Sensor.'
"The suit alleges that Seagate drives incorporating Giant Magnetic Resistance (GMR) sensors infringe the ‘838 patent. The complaint seeks damages in an unstated amount, an accounting, preliminary and permanent injunctions, prejudgment interest, enhanced damages for alleged willful infringement, and attorney fees and costs. The lawsuit was served on Seagate on September 6, 2006. We served an answer to the complaint on November 27, 2006, denying all material allegations and asserting affirmative defenses. Siemens amended its complaint to add Tunnel Magnetic Resistance (TMR) sensors to the case. On May 9, 2008, the court entered summary judgment that TMR sensors are not covered by the ‘838 patent, thus eliminating TMR products from the case. Trial is scheduled to begin November 11, 2008. We believe the claims are without merit, and the Company intends to defend against them vigorously."