Eight Corporations May be Learning the Hard Way about Patent Infringement

March 30, 2010 - PRLog -- IpLearn, a learning technologies company, has filed a complaint claiming patent infringement against eight corporations.

Ten patents are named in the complaint, all pertain to internet learning. IpLearn claims that the defendants: Learn.com, Certpoint Systems, Meridian Knowledge Solutions, emTRAiN, HRsmart, and NetDimisions as well as their wholly-owned subsidiary ND Services, are using learning and development systems that infringe upon those patents, except defendant- Perot Systems.

Perot Systems was acquired by Dell in 2009 and is named in the complaint because they are a customer of MindLeaders, a company that designs e-learning systems. MindLeaders works with over 1,000 clients; clients as big as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Wyeth, and Barclays. Even state governments in Texas, Missouri and Kansas use MindLeaders learning systems for their workforce. However, Perot Systems was the only client to be named in the complaint by IpLearn. Is it possible that IpLearn is using Perot Systems as a stepping stone to other MindLeaders’ clients?

IpLearn claims that Perot Systems is using products that allegedly infringe US Patent 5,967,793 “Relationship-Based Computer-Aided-Educational System”. The patent has 25 claims and describes a method to further a student’s understanding in a subject through relationship learning, where a student learns a subject by associating the subject with something they already know.

IpLearn was founded by Peter Tong and Chi Fai Ho. According to the IpLearn website the company hopes, “others will benefit from our e-learning expertise by licensing our technologies and helping to bring them to market.” Companies that license IpLearn’s technology are: SumTotal, DigitalThink, Saba and Skillsoft.

In the complaint, IpLearn states that they have been and continue to be, “damaged and irreparably harmed” by the corporations and that they will continue to be harmed until the defendants are enjoined by the court.

All eight defendants are accused in the complaint of infringing at least one of IpLearn’s patents. Learn.com has the most mentions in the complaint, with eight alleged counts of patent infringement.

Don Cook, spokesperson for Learn.com gave this statement to Patent Calls, “Learn.com believes the allegations are without merit because the cited patents are either anticipated by prior art and therefore invalid and unenforceable, or the patents are so narrow in scope they do not describe functionality in any Learn.com products. Learn.com intends to aggressively pursue all legal avenues against IpLearn.”

All parties involved in the suit were contacted for comment.

Meridian’s spokesperson said they had not yet received the complaint.
No other parties responded by press time.

The ten patents in question have priority dates on or after 1996; the most recent priority date being 2002.

IpLearn is asking for damages, including past damages, and pre and post-judgment interest. IpLearn also asks that in the event that no injunction is entered, the defendants pay ongoing royalties.

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