Patent Invalidity, Non-Infringement, And Unenforceability Declaratory Relief Complaint Filed In Los Angeles By Maxon Against Braun

Los Angeles, CA – Patent attorneys for Maxon Lift Corp. (“Maxon”) filed a declaratory judgment lawsuit, at the Federal District Court in Los Angeles, against The Braun Corporation and its U.S. Patent No. 7,422,408. Braun is the assignee of the inventions covered by the ‘408 patent, entitled “Lighted Vehicle Access System and Method,” which issued on September 9, 2008. The patent generally relates to vehicle access lifts, such as for wheelchair access to buses and vans.

The complaint alleges that shortly after the patent issued, counsel for Braun contacted counsel for Maxon and offered a non-exclusive license to practice the invention covered by the ‘408 patent because Maxon’s wheelchair lifts were believed to infringe thereon. Thereafter, Maxon allegedly received a draft non-exclusive license agreement from counsel for Braun. Because of Braun’s previous patent infringement lawsuit against Maxon, it believes that a justiciable controversy exists, thereby establishing jurisdiction for the declaratory relief action. The case is titled Maxon Industries, Inc. v. The Braun Corporation, CV 08-06730 PA (C.D. Cal. 2008).