Real 3D Sues ATI Over Graphics Patents and Trade Secrets

Real 3D has filed suit against ATI Technologies of Ontario, Canada, alleging patent infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets. The patent claims cover US patents 4,727,365 and 4,905,164, which Real 3D describes as key pieces of its portfolio, and target ATI 3D graphics products used in personal computers and professional workstations.

The suit goes further than patents. Real 3D accuses ATI and others of conspiring to steal its 3D graphics trade secrets and know-how by improperly recruiting and hiring key members of its engineering staff. The company is asking the federal district court in Orlando for injunctions that would force ATI to stop selling the infringing graphics products and to quit using Real 3D’s trade secrets altogether. If the court grants that, it is a serious problem for one of the bigger names in PC graphics.