Elonex Plc is stepping up its campaign to protect its power management patents, and has now filed lawsuits against Dell Computer Corp, Micron Electronics Inc and Packard Bell NEC Inc. Elonex, the UK and European PC manufacturer, took out similar legal action against Siemens Nixdorf Informationssystem AG back in September (CI No 3,493). Siemens itself holds similar patents as part of its PowerSave technology, and was asking major PC manufacturers to license its technology before Elonex stepped in with its claim (CI No 3,484). If successful, the suits could affect virtually all PC makers, who use power management software to send computer monitors into deep sleep mode when not in use. According to Elonex court papers, filed in the US District Court of Delaware, typical color monitors without power management can consume a majority of electrical energy consumed by a personal computer. Guidelines from the US Environmental Protection Agency and from the VESA Video Electronics Standards Association industry group have encouraged widespread use of the technology. Elonex is seeking injunctions to halt the infringements and damages tripled for alleged willful infringement. Other suits are likely to follow, although Hewlett Packard Co and Hitachi Ltd have already licensed Elonex technology. Infringements could date back around four years. Elonex has revenues of $100m in the UK, and has seven sister companies in Europe.
