[comp.sys.apollo] Is Apollo really being taken to court?

nick@agsm.unsw.oz (Nick Frisina) (12/08/88)

In a magazine article in "Computing Australia Dec 5 1988 page 13"
There appears an article claiming that Apollo is to be sued by
 "The dutch owner of the token ring patents Willemijn Holding.."
The article claims that Apollo have not token ring licence from him.
The article also claims that Sun, IBM, AT&T, NEC, NCR etc...
presently pay royalties to the alleged owner...
I have not read any discussion on the net....

Can anyone (Apollo) explain the state of affairs?
nick

ballentine_m@apollo.COM (Mike Ballentine) (12/21/88)

Nick Frisina <nick@agsm.unsw.oz> recently asked about the token ring patent
suit. There have been suits filed, so we have to be very careful
about what we say. Here is Apollo's official position (if you need
further information, contact Apollo Public Relations):

  Apollo is vigorously contesting the patent suit filed by Willemijn
  in February 1988. The Company denies that any infringement has
  ocurred and denies that the Soderblom patents are valid. Apollo has
  filed a counterclaim seeking a court declaration of invalidity and
  non-infringement. There has been no court decision that the
  Soderblom patents are valid, nor has any court found that Apollo, or
  any other party, has infringed these patents.


Mike Ballentine 
Apollo Computer Marketing
(508) 256-0176 x4132
 ballentine_m@apollo.com
 USPS: Apollo Computer, 330 Billerica Rd., Chelmsford MA 01824