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In the complaint, Convolve alleges that PC maker Dell and hard drive manufacturers Western Digital and Hitachi used its patented techniques that allow a device to be moved quickly with minimal vibration, the reports noted.
Convolve claims that it met with Dell officials as far back as 1998 to discuss a possible licensing agreement concerning this technology and those and ensuing discussions included "simulations and hardware demonstrations" of Convolve's vibration-control technology, and the disclosure of confidential and proprietary materials to Dell about a patent application for the technology.
As for the accused, Dell has confirmed that the company held talks with Convolve "some years ago" but declined comment on the lawsuit and a Western Digital spokesman said the company will "defend itself vigorously against these allegations" but declined any further comment, citing the pending litigation.
Hitachi Global Storage Technologies has stayed mute on the whole issue.
Convolve is alleging that Dell has "made, used, sold or distributed PCs ? the Dimension 2400, Dimension C521 and Optiplex 740 models ? and/or hard disk drives using technology that infringes on one of the patents".
