Ancora vs. HP, Dell and Toshiba

What is this trial about ? 

Softwar piracy is a big problem, a multi billion dollars problem. Microsoft Windows, as the most successful software product ever built, suffers siginifcant losses to piracy.

Most of sales of Windows are through the OEM channel - sold to people buying a new PC that has Windows pre-installed on it.  To secure each copy of Winodws, without burdening the honest user, PC OEMs use a technology known as System Locked Pre-Installation (SLP) to protect Windows against piracy. Recently that technology was renamed to "OEM Activation".  We believe that SLP protects 80% of copies of Windows worldwide.

SLP is Ancora's technology and is covered by our pioneer patent, US Patent 6,411,941. 

This lawsuit is about protecting our patent rights from being infringed by HP, Dell and Toshiba.  This is not David vs. Goliath.  This is David vs. three Goliaths. 

In 2006, Microsoft has lost a patent trial to a company by the name of Z4 Technologies Inc. Z4 holds patents for another anti piracy technology used by Microsoft to secure Windows (the other 20% of Windows sales).  They were represented by Brooks Kushman, a Detroit based IP litigation firm.  Now, Brooks Kushman is representing Ancora as well.


Case 8:08-cv-626 in California Central District court - Milestones

6/6/2008: Ancora files a complaing for patent infringement against HP, Dell and Toshiba

8/14/2008: Toshiba, Dell and HP deny infringement

10/27/2008: Trial date set to 1/26/2010. Markman hearing date set to 2/2/4/2008.