Cornell Univ. awarded $184M in patent infringement lawsuit against Hewlett Packard
Court finds Hewlett-Packard infringed on Cornell professor’s 1980 patent
Industry: Computer Technology
Defendant: Hewlett-Packard Co.
Plaintiff: Cornell University
Jurisdiction: Texas Western District Court
Result: Verdict in favor of Cornell - $184 million
Source: Aaron Munzer, “Hewlett Packard plans appeal of CU’s patent lawsuit victory,” Ithaca Journal, June 3, 2008; “Cornell University et al v. Hewlett-Packard Company,” Justia Case Information, September 12, 2006.
A federal jury awarded Cornell University $184 million in a patent infringement lawsuit against Hewlett Packard Company. In the intellectual property lawsuit, Cornell alleged Hewlett Packard infringed its patent related to increased computer speed, which was invented by Professor Hwa Torng, in the 1980’s. Hewlett Packard has said it plans to appeal the verdict.
The Cornell professor’s invention was believed to have increased the efficiency and speed of computer processors significantly, and plaintiffs said Hewlett Packard received more than $36 billion in profits from using the professor’s invention without permission. The invention is still being used in modern computers.
Vice president for Cornell University communications said the verdict may make the case a fundamental one for all universities in terms of protecting intellectual property.
