lawsuit

News Byte

Nest Labs Responds to Honeywell Lawsuit

Lauren Goode in News on February 8 at 1:13 pm PT

Nest Labs, maker of a “smart” thermostat that is the subject of a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Honeywell International, has responded to the filing with the following statement: “We at Nest are proud of creating products that bring true innovation to home efficiency and we are continuing to innovate and bring products to market. … Nest will vigorously defend itself against Honeywell’s patent-attack strategy to stifle thoughtful competition and we have the resources, support and conviction to do so.” Nest’s thermostat hit the market in late 2011; Honeywell alleges that the device infringes on seven of its patents and seeks to enjoin Best Buy in the suit as well.

News Byte

Honeywell Sues Nest Labs Over Thermostat Tech

Lauren Goode in News on February 6 at 8:32 am PT

Honeywell International Inc. has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Palo Alto-based Nest Labs, alleging that Nest, maker of a “smart” digital thermostat for the home, infringes on seven of Honeywell’s patents related to thermostat technology. The patents referenced specifically pertain to the thermostat’s mechanical user interface, controller interface, inner design and “simplified methods for operating and programming a thermostat.” Also named in the suit is Best Buy, which sells the Nest thermostat.

News Byte

Ex-Staffers File Suit Against FDA for Monitoring Personal Email

Lauren Goode in News on January 30 at 12:11 pm PT

A half-dozen former FDA employees have filed suit against the agency, offering evidence it secretly monitored their personal email for two years after they took their concerns about medical-device approvals to Congress. According to the Washington Post, the staffers contend the workplace monitoring was improper because the private activity was legal; the FDA may counter with allegations that confidential information was being disclosed.