Itron Suit Alleges Patent Infringement

Itron Inc. filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging patent infringement on the part of a competitor, CellNet Data Systems Inc.

Both companies sell systems that allow utilities to read meters using wireless networks.

The U.S. District Court lawsuit filed in Minnesota claims CellNet’s radio system violates a patent granted to Itron just one month ago.

Itron Treasurer Mima Scarpelli said she could not comment on the details of the case, the importance of the patent to the company, or how a CellNet product already on the market could infringe on a newly issued patent.

The case was filed in Minnesota because Itron’s patent attorney is based there, she said. Also, the company has an operation in Waseca, a town about 50 miles south of Minneapolis.

CellNet, based in San Carlos, Calif., announced the completion of a $100 million public offering Thursday. The sale of those shares was accompanied by a separate, $28 million placement with two utilities and Bechtel Enterprises Inc.

, DataTimes