Sunnyvale, California-based GammaLink Inc has filed a countersuit against Needham, Massachusetts-based Brooktrout Technology Inc in response to the latter’s claims of patent infringement. GammaLink denies the allegations, filed By Brooktrout last March, claiming infringement of a patent covering the use of Direct Inward Dialling for certain routing applications. Direct Inward Dialling can be used as part of a routing method for computer-based facsimile transmissions in which the digits of a telephone number can be used to direct facsimile messages to specific mailboxes on local networks. GammaLink says it has successfully completed a search for prior art – publications and applications in the market before Brooktrout’s initial 1989 patent application. This, says GammaLink, demonstrates that the Brooktrout’s 1991 patent is invalid. Consequently, it is asking the US District Court for Massachusetts to declare that the Brooktrout patent is invalid and unenforceable. GammaLink’s counter-claim also charges Brooktrout with intentional interference with prospective business advantages and unfair competition, and seeks actual and punitive damages.
