Omega Engineering wins $8 million in patent infringement lawsuit against Raytek

Bridgeport, CT— Omega Engineering Inc. reports it recently won its patent infringement lawsuit against Raytek Inc. , a subsidiary of Danaher Corp. The jury found that Raytek infringed two of Omega patents continuously since 1998, and awarded damages of $8 million. The verdict followed a two-week trial in federal court in Bridgeport.

The patents involved include a method and device for using a circle of laser dots to outline an area, whose temperature will be measured by an infrared thermometer. The two firms are major rivals in the infrared thermometers field.

Because the jury also found that Raytek acted “willfully” in infringing five different patent claims, the judgement may now be augmented by U.S. District Court Judge Janet Hall, who has the authority to increase the damage award by up to 200% and to award Omega its attorneys’ fees.

Based on statements by Judge Hall following the reading of the verdict, Omega adds that the court is expected to issue a injunction immediately stopping Raytek from any further manufacture or sale in the U.S. of infrared thermometers with laser circle sighting. These devices reportedly accounted for 15% of Raytek’s annual sales, producing revenues for Raytek of more than $40 million since 1998. Omega had been the second largest seller of these devices.

The inventor, whose patents were upheld by the jury verdict, is Dr. Milton Hollander, one of Omega’s directors. Based in Stamford, CT, Omega was founded in 1962 by Betty Ruth Hollander, wife of the inventor and Omega’s president. Omega is privately held and employs approximately 500 people.

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editorjmontague@reedbusiness.com

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