CopyTele’s subsidiary Secure Web Conference has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Microsoft regarding encryption technology utilised by Skype video conferencing service.
The lawsuit was filed in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of New York in the US.
Skype was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5bn and has about 250 million active monthly users.
In its lawsuit, Secure Web alleged that Microsoft infringed its patents 6,856,686 B2 and 6,856,687 B2, which are related to web-based peer-to-peer communications.
Earlier this year, CopyTele filed lawsuits against AU Optronics and E Ink Holdings with respect to patented electrophoretic display technologies.
Last month, CopyTele acquired two additional patent portfolios covering conversion systems for loyalty points programmes.
CopyTele president and CEO Robert Berman said with coverage on web conferencing technology across an industry that generates over $4bn revenue per year, these encryption patents are an example of the untapped potential at the company.
"We expect to launch additional assertion programs with significant revenue opportunities as we continue to mine CTI’s patents, and acquire additional patent portfolios from third parties," Berman said.
In February this year, Vringo’s subsidiary I/P Engine filed a lawsuit against Microsoft in the Southern District of New York claiming that the software major has infringed two of its patents.
