Ohio man files patent infringement lawsuit against Walt Disney Co.
Man claims Walt Disney Co., other infringed talking posters patent
Defendant: The Walt Disney Company; Jakks Pacific, Inc; Play Along Toys; KB Toys; Amazon.com; Toys ‘R Us
Plaintiff: Aaron Clark
Jurisdiction: United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Result:
Source: John Futty, “Inventor files suit against Disney Co.: Reynoldsburg man says talking posters in stores violate his patent,” The Columbus Dispatch, October 24, 2008
In October 2008, Aaron Clark filed a patent infringement lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company; Jakks Pacific, Inc; Play Along Toys; KB Toys; Amazon.com; and Toys ‘R Us, claiming the companies infringed on his patent related to microchip technology whereby touching a button causes the poster to speak or sing.
Clark received the patent in 1996 and approached The Walt Disney Co. in the mid-90’s, about potential licensing, but the company turned him down. He has licensing arrangements with several companies. In summer 2008, Clark’s mother noticed a poster picturing Hannah Montana that was a singing poster at a Toys R Us store. After purchasing one of the poster’s, Clark surmised the poster uses the same technology included in his patent and instituted the lawsuit.
The lawsuit claims Clark has suffered monetary damages and lost profits as a result of the patent infringement.
Patent protection attorney Tara J. Williams may help patentees who feel patent infringement is happening to them. Call our contingency-based law firm today for a free evaluation about your potential case.
