Archive biz Crossroads lobs sueball at Cisco, NetApp and Quantum

Smack that switch up... it 'contains our patented' tech'!

Crossroads Systems Inc, a data archive solutions biz, is suing Cisco, NetApp and Quantum for allegedly using its patented technology in their storage products.

The Crossroads lawsuit alleges infringement of U.S. Patents 6,425,035 and 7,934,04, part of Crossroads' '972 Patent Family. Crossroads wants monetary damages and an injunction to stop the vendors from selling "infringing" kit.

Crossroads says: “Since 2001, Crossroads has licensed the '972 Patent Family to more than 40 companies and received in excess of $60m in licence and settlement revenue.”

It alleges that the following products "infringe" on its IP:

• Cisco MDS9200 switches,
• Cisco MDS9500 directors with MDS 9000 18/4-port service module,
• NetApp E5400 arrays and
• Quantum StorNext QX-Series arrays.

Crossroads’ CEO and president, Richard Coleman Jr, had a prepared quote for the announcement: “We use every means possible to avoid litigation, but when all other avenues are exhausted, we will aggressively pursue every company, regardless of size or industry position, that continues to use our patented technology without a licence."

It is a loss-making business. For its fiscal 2013 fourth quarter, ended 31 October, total revenue decreased 20 per cent to $3.6m from $4.4m in the same quarter a year ago. Total revenue for the full year 2013 decreased 10 per cent to $12.6m from $14m in the prior year. Full year net loss was -$12.1m, compared to -$10.7m in the previous year. ®