In January 2017, the American manufacturing and engineering multinational Honeywell registered a lawsuit for patent infringement against Code Corporation, a manufacturer of electrical equipment based in Draper, Utah. The suit pertains to products sold in the barcode scanner market that are marketed and designed by Code Corporation. According to Honeywell, its proprietary patent technology is used in the practice technology utilised in the scanners. The company has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. According to the company’s press release that announced the start of their litigation, Honeywell has highlighted six patents that they allege a violation of –

U.S. Patent No. 6039258 – Issued in the year 2000, this patent pertains to all handheld devices that collect data and provide tactical feedback for the purpose of improving the feedback mechanism after data collection.

U.S. Patent No. 6249008 – Issued in 2001, this patent protects all techniques for deciphering optical indicia at any surface with the help of code readers. This includes selecting an illuminator type in such a manner that it exhibits the features of many code readers.

U.S. Patent No. 6491223 – This patent pertains to a method of using optical readers that capture 2D images and decipher bar symbols that are based on images in a manner making it cost-effective to include new barcode symbols.

U.S. Patent No. 6538413 – This patent shields all electronic gadgets that receive charge using a dedicated battery pack. The battery pack has an indicator that shows the capacity level of the battery.

U.S. Patent No. 6607128 – This patent is for the optical assembly used in optical readers that have lamp brackets with LEDs in a manner that enhances the LED lighting effectiveness substantially.

U.S. Patent No. 8096472 – This patent is a process of creating a simple optical assembly to build illumination systems powered by LEDs in long range portable scanners that can be quickly installed and are compact.

In the press release, Honeywell has clearly stated that it seeks to claim damages caused to the company by Code Corporation by selling barcode readers that infringed upon Honeywell registered patents. One example of a product that the company believes is in violation of this is Code Reader 2600. The company is also trying to prevent Code Corporation from using this technology in any future products they may unveil in the barcode scanner market. Honeywell has indicated that it welcomes competition in the global barcode scanner market, but no potential patent infringement violations will be tolerated. Honeywell earnestly believes that it needs to protect its patents in the barcode scanner market. Fair competition also includes safeguarding other players’ patent rights.