HP files second patent lawsuit against Acer

HP, the world's largest PC vendor, has filed another lawsuit against its fastest growing rival, Acer, as competition in the PC industry continues to heat up.

The new suit alleges that Acer and a U.S. subsidiary have knowingly infringed on five HP patents related to PCs, according to the complaint, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

The lawsuit is the second HP has filed in as many months against Acer, raising its recent patent claims against the Taiwanese company to 10. The lawsuits come as Acer continues its breakneck growth, and some analysts say the lawsuits are a response to Acer's ability to make further inroads into the U.S.

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HP, the world's largest PC vendor, has filed another lawsuit against its fastest growing rival, Acer, as competition in the PC industry continues to heat up.

The new suit alleges that Acer and a U.S. subsidiary have knowingly infringed on five HP patents related to PCs, according to the complaint, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

The lawsuit is the second HP has filed in as many months against Acer, raising its recent patent claims against the Taiwanese company to 10. The lawsuits come as Acer continues its breakneck growth, and some analysts say the lawsuits are a response to Acer's ability to make further inroads into the U.S.

Last month, Acer started selling laptop PCs at popular U.S. retailer Best Buy, and analysts say the Taiwanese company is nearing a deal to sell its PCs through another major U.S. retailer as well.

In the new lawsuit, HP alleges that Acer knowingly violated PC patents related to power savings, heat management, regulating the flow of data, and improving screen picture quality. HP is seeking a jury trial and compensation from Acer, as well as treble damages for alleged intentional violation of the patents and the payment of all its legal fees.

HP won the title of the largest PC vendor in the world in the first quarter, extending its lead over former leader Dell. But Acer remained the fastest growing PC vendor in the world over the three-month period, as it leapfrogged over Lenovo into third place on 46.1% year-over-year shipment growth, according to market researcher Gartner. HP grew 28.7% during the same time.

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.