Charlottesville, VA—GE Fanuc Automation Americas Inc. reported March 9 that it has signed an agreement with Chicago-based Solaia Technology LLC, which reportedly gives broad rights to GE Fanuc Automation, GE, Japan-based Fanuc Ltd., and their customers under Solaia’s 5,038,318 patent.
Charlottesville, VA— GE Fanuc Automation Americas Inc. reported March 9 that it has signed an agreement with Chicago-based Solaia Technology LLC, which reportedly gives broad rights to GE Fanuc Automation, GE, Japan-based Fanuc Ltd., and their customers under Solaia’s 5,038,318 patent.
GE Fanuc adds that Solaia has released any potential claims on the ‘318 patent against the three companies’ customers for buying or using products, software, services, equipment, or devices made or supplied by them. Also, any system that was substantially integrated by a GE entity is released, regardless of which company manufactured the individual system components.
‘GE Fanuc reached this important agreement with Solaia in order to assure our customers that they have no potential risk for litigation under the ‘318 patent due to using GE Fanuc, GE, or Fanuc products or services,’ says Jeff Garwood, GE Fanuc Automation’s president and CEO. ‘At this critical time in our global economy, manufacturers need to concentrate on improving productivity, reducing costs, and achieving peak performance, and we’re committed to helping our customers do just that with best-in-class automation solutions and the worldwide support of GE.’
Under the agreement, any discrete or process control system that uses a GE Fanuc programmable logic controller (PLC) or GE Fanuc human machine interface (HMI) software, including Proficy HMI/SCADA—Cimplicity or iFix, comprises a fully licensed system. Purchase or use of all other products, software, services, equipment or devices, including PLCs, made or supplied by GE Fanuc Automation, GE, or Fanuc are also released from any potential claims on the ‘318 patent.
GE Fanuc Automation, a joint venture between GE and Fanuc, and part of GE Infrastructure, delivers automation hardware and software designed to help users reduce costs, increase efficiency and enhance profitability. With solutions and services catering to virtually every industrial segment, GE Fanuc Automation provides a diverse array of capabilities and products, including controllers, embedded systems, advanced software, motion control, CNCs, operator interfaces, industrial computers, and lasers.
Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jim Montague, news editor
[email protected]
