Knobbe Martens is pleased to announce that its client, NTech Industries, Inc., a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of optical agricultural sensors and mapping systems, has obtained dismissal of a suit that Ag Leader Technology, Inc. filed against NTech in federal court in Iowa. Ag Leader’s suit sought a declaratory judgment that the “Crop Circle” products it plans to distribute do not infringe NTech’s patents, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,585,626, 5,763,873, 5,809,440, and 6,596,996. Today, the Iowa court dismissed Ag Leader’s suit.
The Iowa court dismissed the case because NTech had previously filed a lawsuit against Ag Leader’s supplier, Holland Scientific, Inc., in Arizona for infringement of the same patents. The court reasoned that only one of the two cases should go forward, and NTech’s suit was entitled to priority because it was filed first. The Iowa court’s dismissal of Ag Leader’s suit follows on the heels of a recent decision from the Arizona court that rejected Holland Scientific’s attempts to dismiss NTech’s infringement suit or transfer it to Iowa. As a result of these decisions, NTech’s patent infringement suit in Arizona will move forward. NTech’s suit seeks an injunction, damages for past infringement, and an award of attorneys’ fees against Holland Scientific.
The Knobbe Martens team representing Ntech included partners Paul Stewart and Irfan Lateef, and associate Timothy Goodson.
About NTech NTech Industries is the world leader in optical sensors for agricultural research, precision fertilizer applications, field mapping, and weed and pest control for military and civilian uses. NTech products include break-through technology with important profit generation and environmental benefits. Information on the company and its products are available at www.ntechindustries.com
