Itracks to Resume Legal Action Over Patent 'Infringement'

Canadian-based online data collection specialist Itracks has filed a lawsuit against US-based Artafact, which it claims has infringed one of its patents for an online focus group product.

Itracks first filed against the Californian firm in 2008, alleging that Artafact's Online Focus Group Software and Diary Bulletin Board infringed its patented system for conducting online focus groups using remotely located participants.

At the time, rival firm Artafact maintained that the patent was invalid, but last November the US Patent and Trademark Office examined the copyright documentation and upheld that the system belonged to Itracks.

Since that time, no out-of-court settlement has been reached, and Itracks has now filed a motion to proceed with litigation against Artafact.

Web sites: www.itracks.com and www.artafact.com .