Apple, Dell and Sony dragged into Bluetooth case

APPLE, DELL, SONY AND five other technology companies have been dragged into the huge court case over Bluetooth patents.

The case is being bought by a non-profit organisation connected to the University of Washington against Matsushita, Samsung and Nokia.

Other defendants since added include Logitech, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Plantronics. With names like these involved, it is clear that if the Washington Research Foundation wins, it could bring down the wireless technology industry.

So far the foundation, which has generated more than $150 million for the University of Washington, is asking for money damages and a court order barring the sale of products that use the patented technology.

The court action is targeted at products with chips made by the British outfit CSR, which the group says is using its Bluetooth technology without permission. Those based on Broadcom technology, which paid for a licence from the Foundation, will not be touched.

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