CommScope, Inc. has filed suit against Ortronics, Inc. The suit asserts infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,997,358, which is directed to electrical connectors that have improved crosstalk performance as a result of time-delayed multi-stage crosstalk compensation.
The suit was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
The remedies sought include an injunction barring further sale of certain Ortronics' Category 6 modular patch panels and Category 6 outlets (including at least the Clarity6 patch panels, Clarity6 TracJack outlets, and Clarity6 Series II outlet modules), as well as damages for past infringement and treble damages for willful infringement.
Ortronics, meanwhile, announced today that it will aggressively defend itself against the patent infringement suit. In a press release, Ortronics representatives say the company firmly stands behind and is committed to its Category 6 Clarity product line that is referenced in these claims.
Ortronics' position is that these claims had no merit when discussed in previous conversations with AVAYA and still do not today. CommScope recently purchased the Systimax division of AVAYA.
In the release, Ortronics assures its customers and partners that there will be no changes or impact on the way that the company sells and supports this product line. This situation will not affect the ability of Ortronics to support the growing demand for Clarity 6, the release states.
Ortronics Inc., based in New London, CT, manufactures Category 5e, Category 6 and otpical fiber. For more information visit www.ortronics.com.
CommScope, based in Hickory, NC, manufacturers cable and connectivity solutions. For more information visit www.commscope.com.
