Acer sues suppliers over HP patent lawsuit

You want to fight me, buddy? There's me buddy. Go fight him

By Austin Modine in Mountain View • Get more from this author

Posted in PC Builder, 10th May 2007 21:12 GMT

Acer is suing a posse of suppliers to share the pain of patent infringement suits filed by rival PC maker Hewlett-Packard.

The company confirmed today its US subsidiary has filed complaints against electronics contract manufacturer Hon Hai, notebook maker Quanta and Acer's former manufacturing arm, Wistron, to jointly face HP's wrath.

In March, HP sued the Taiwan-based PC maker for alleged infringement of five US patents related to PC technology and again in April for five more patents.

Hon Hai, Quanta and Wistron also produce computers for HP. According to the suit filed, Acer says its agreement with the suppliers hold them responsible to defend and indemnify Acer from and against claims of patent infringement.

The suit filed in Texas Federal court also claim that Hon Hai, Quanta and Winstron breached its warranty of title and non-infringement.

Acer wants the companies to bear the burden of attorney fees, court costs and any ruling against it arising from HP's lawsuit.

Acer claims the suit is not a move against the three companies, but merely a means for them to fulfill their contractual duties.

Lawsuits: it's the way corporations talk to each other. ®

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