Wi-LAN files infringement suit against 22 firms

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Wi-LAN Inc (WIN.TO) said on Thursday it has initiated litigation against 22 technology companies in two actions claiming patent infringement.

Wi-LAN, which licenses patents for telecom products, said the suits against chip suppliers, equipment vendors and electronics retailers have commenced in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.

The filings claim that the companies infringe Wi-LAN patents -- related to Wi-Fi and power consumption in DSL products -- by making or selling such products as wireless routers, modems and personal notebook computers.

The legal action is against Acer (2353.TW), Apple (AAPL.O), Atheros Communications ATHR.O, Belkin International, Best Buy (BBY.N), Broadcom (BRCM.O), Buffalo Technology, Circuit City Stores CC.N, Dell (DELL.O), D-Link (2332.TW), Gateway Inc GATE.DE, Hewlett-Packard (HPQ.N), Infineon Technologies (IFXGn.DE), Intel (INTC.O), Lenovo Group (0992.HK), Marvell Semiconductor (MRVL.O), NetGear (NTGR.O), Sony (6758.T), Texas Instruments TXN.N, Toshiba (6502.T), Westell Technologies (WSTL.O), and 2Wire Inc.

Ottawa-based company Wi-LAN in July said it struck a preliminary deal with Fujitsu (6702.T) to license its entire portfolio. Financial terms were not released.

"While we prefer to resolve patent infringement through business discussions, we have consistently maintained that litigation was always a possibility when negotiations do not result in a license within a reasonable time," Chief Executive Jim Skippen said in a statement.

Wi-LAN said it has a portfolio of more than 280 issued or pending patents.