Internet giant Google is being sued by Northeastern University over alleged patent infringement concerning searching databases.The university, located in Boston, owns the patent and licenses the technology to software firm Jarg, a start-up founded by Northeastern University professor Ken Baclawski, who patented a system for searching databases with networked computers and indexing the results.
According to recently filed legal papers, the university "has suffered damages as a result of Google's infringement and will continue to suffer damages" unless a court order prevents it, Bloomberg reports.
The suit claims that Google never obtained a legal opinion as to whether it infringes the patent and seeks a jury trial, as well as an injunction against further patent infringements.
President and co-founder of Jarg Michael Belanger said in a phone interview that his company had been aware of the alleged infringement for a number of years, but had lacked the resources to bring a legal case, Reuters reports.
Now, however, Northeastern has joined the plight and Texas-based law firm Vinson & Elkins has agreed to pay the costs.
In response to the complaint, Google spokesman Jon Murchinson stated: "While we have not been served, we are aware of the complaint and believe it to be without merit based upon our initial investigation."
Google has been the subject of a number of legal cases, recently winning its battle with American Blind & Wallpaper Factory, who had claimed that the search engine abused trademarks.
