Northeastern University Takes Google Inc To Court!

"For allegedly infringing on a patented technology to run its online search service, "Boston's Northeastern University & Jarg takes Google to court, informs Computer World.

"The suit accuses Google of using a distributed database technology developed by Baclawski in its online service. The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and an injunction to prevent Google from further infringing on the patent, as well as royalty payments and damages."

According to the contents of the patent, "The invention relates to a distributed computer database system which includes a front end computer and a plurality of computer nodes interconnected by a network. The combination of computer nodes interconnected by the network operates as a search engine."

Jarg's president, Michael Belanger said they came to know of the infringement through a Boston-based lawyer who felt the No.1 Search Engine's search technology was similar to that covered by the patent. "The lawyer's firm would not take up the case unless it was paid in advance, and it took Belanger two and a half years to find a company willing to pursue the case on a contingency basis, the Globe reported."

As for Google, they said the suit was "without merit". To know more, you can read the patent, number 5,694,593, dated Dec. 2, 1997, from the Web site of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. The application was filed October 5, 1994.

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