The lawsuit filed by diamond distributor Lazare Kaplan International against PhotoScribe Technologies, Inc., and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has turned out to favour the accused. Lazare Kaplan International had accused the GIA and PhotoScribe of infringing a patent. PhtoScribe is the world’s largest manufacturer of diamond laser inscription equipment.

Lazare Kaplan had alleged infringement of two patents, U.S. Patent Nos. 6,476,351 and 7,010,938 with respect to diamond laser inscription equipment and methods. On Friday, March 7, 2008, following a two-week trial in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, a jury rendered a unanimous verdict finding that PhotoScribe and GIA do not infringe on any of the 10 patent claims asserted by Lazare Kaplan. Additionally, the jury invalidated one of the claims of the ‘351 Lazare Kaplan patent. This verdict resolves patent infringement issues first initiated by Lazare Kaplan against PhotoScribe in May of 2006 and against GIA in July of 2007.

PhotScribe holds seven patents relating to diamond marking. “Since we were sued almost two years ago, PhotoScribe’s position has always been that Lazare Kaplan’s lawsuit is totally without merit. Our position has now been validated, and we can focus our energy on selling our diamond laser inscription equipment instead of defending against Issues with respect to the enforceability of Lazare Kaplan’s patents remain outstanding lawsuits.

The lawsuit filed by diamond distributor Lazare Kaplan International against PhotoScribe Technologies, Inc., and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has turned out to favour the accused. Lazare Kaplan International had accused the GIA and PhotoScribe of infringing a patent. PhtoScribe is the world’s largest manufacturer of diamond laser inscription equipment.

Lazare Kaplan had alleged infringement of two patents, U.S. Patent Nos. 6,476,351 and 7,010,938 with respect to diamond laser inscription equipment and methods. On Friday, March 7, 2008, following a two-week trial in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, a jury rendered a unanimous verdict finding that PhotoScribe and GIA do not infringe on any of the 10 patent claims asserted by Lazare Kaplan. Additionally, the jury invalidated one of the claims of the ‘351 Lazare Kaplan patent. This verdict resolves patent infringement issues first initiated by Lazare Kaplan against PhotoScribe in May of 2006 and against GIA in July of 2007.

PhotScribe holds seven patents relating to diamond marking. “Since we were sued almost two years ago, PhotoScribe’s position has always been that Lazare Kaplan’s lawsuit is totally without merit. Our position has now been validated, and we can focus our energy on selling our diamond laser inscription equipment instead of defending against Issues with respect to the enforceability of Lazare Kaplan’s patents remain outstanding lawsuits.