Farella Braun + Martel Represents Zep Solar in Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Westinghouse Solar, Light Way, Others
SAN FRANCISCO, December 22, 2011: Farella Braun + Martel LLP is Zep Solar Inc.’s counsel in a patent infringement lawsuit against Westinghouse Solar, Inc. (“Westinghouse” NASDAQ: WEST), Light Way Solar and three other parties, which was filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Zep Solar, developers of the first PV module-integrated installation platform, maintains that the defendants infringed on a critical patent (US #7,592,537) that covers many of its innovative and highly successful products, including its coveted “Interlock” product.
Jeffrey Fisher, Farella’s Intellectual Property Department Chair, is one of the lead attorneys in the lawsuit and has long served as Zep Solar’s counsel in patent litigation matters. In this case, the suit alleges that Westinghouse and the other defendants wrongfully used patents that make up the Zep Compatible™ platform. Zep Solar is seeking enhanced damages for willful infringement and has prayed for injunctive relief barring Westinghouse and the other defendants from infringing Zep’s Patent through the licensing, manufacturing, importation and sale or use of Westinghouse’s PV modules and installation hardware, including the Westinghouse Solar Power Systems AC-230/235 product family, Andalay Groove components and others.
“It’s an intensely competitive solar market out there, and Zep Solar has developed revolutionary products and services that have not only secured it a leading stance in the marketplace but have challenged competitors to raise the bar,” said Fisher. “Unfortunately, Westinghouse has blatantly used Zep Solar’s intellectual property in their products to better compete, and we are determined to prove infringement of these critical patents.”
In addition to Fisher, Senior IP Litigation Partner Rod Thompson and IP Litigation Associates Deepak Gupta, Marc Tarlock and Morgan Jackson comprise the Zep litigation team in this and related litigation pending in U.S. District Court and before the International Trade Commission.
Farella Braun + Martel represents clients throughout the United States and abroad in sophisticated business transactions and high-stakes commercial, civil and criminal litigation. Founded in 1962, the firm is headquartered in San Francisco and maintains an office in the Napa Valley focused on the wine industry. Farella Braun + Martel lawyers are known for their imaginative legal solutions, dynamism and intellectual creativity. With an unwavering service ethic and interdisciplinary team approach, the firm is committed to advancing clients' objectives in the most effective, coordinated and efficient manner. Farella Braun + Martel is a green business. www.fbm.com
Contacts:
Melinda Hepp / Traci Stuart
Blattel Communications
415.397.4811
[email protected] / [email protected]
Cheryl Loof
Farella Braun + Martel LLP
415.954.4433
[email protected]
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