A failed security software specialist, turned IP licencer is suiing D-Link in the US for breaching its Power over Ethernet patent.

Network-1 Security Solutions, one of those vulture-like Intellectual Property specialists that specialises in acquiring and then licensing various IP, has filed a patent infringement suit against D-Link for the use of its PoE technology.
According to a statement from the company the litigation, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Network-1 is seeking an award of damages based on reasonable royalties. It also wants that figure trebled for D-Link’s “continued willful infringement” of the company’s’930 Patent.  The litigation also calls for the permanent prevention of D-Link PoE product importation into the United States.
The ‘930 Patent, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Remotely Powering Access Equipment Over a 10/100 Switched Ethernet Network”, relates to several key technologies underlying the delivery or receipt of power over data communications networks, including products compliant with the IEEE 802.3af Power Over Ethernet (PoE) standard that was approved in June 2003 by the IEEE.
“All of our good faith attempts to engage D-Link in licensing negotiations have been unsuccessful which left us no choice but to initiate this action,” said Corey M. Horowitz, Chairman and CEO of Network-1. “While we prefer licensing the ‘930 Patent to the PoE industry without the distraction and cost of litigation, we will take whatever action is necessary to protect our intellectual property rights and maximize shareholder value.”
Network-1 owns six patents covering various telecommunications and data networking technologies whcih it bought in 2003 after failing to make a go of its security software products business.