Dell Faces E-Commerce Patent Suit

Dell Computer is being charged with patent infringement in a landmark intellectual property case that could impact online adult merchants and other e-commerce operators who do business "across borders" as well.

DE Technologies holds the patent for computerized transactions across borders, a patent which they claim Dell is infringing on.

Granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office in October of 2002 after a five year battle by principal's Edward Pool, an international trade specialist, and Douglas Mauer, a telecoms management consultant; DE Technologies' patent could have a potentially broader reach into online operations than the more familiar "Acacia" claims, and is the latest in a series of patent infringement claims centering around now commonplace practices.

According to the "Universal shopping center for international operation" patent abstract, "An international transaction system for operation over the Internet/intranet provides a pre-transactional calculation of all charges involved in any international transaction. Upon the option of the customer, the goods can be viewed on catalogue sheets translated to a language of the customer's choice, and the price provided in a currency selected by the customer. The customer also has the option of initiating the order with automatic credit authorization, generation of an electronic title or commercial invoice and arrangements and payment of shipping charges and any taxes and import/export duties."

Claiming that his patented system was conceived in 1992 to mitigate logistical problems in his import business, by 2000, Pool's attorneys believed the patent on his Borderless Order Entry System (BOES) entitled his company to collect a 0.3% license fee on every computerized cross-border trade deal, with an estimated global market reaching over $5 trillion in sales.

Round Rock, Texas-based Dell has been fueled by double digit growth, is projected to become a $60 billion company in 2006, and has announced plans to build a third U.S. factory in North Carolina, joining its plants in Tennessee and Texas.

In an earlier interview, Pool said of his software: "This may not be rocket science in the year 2000, but try eight years ago."

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC Publishes Analysis of Federal Trade Commission Event Promoting AV

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an analysis of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) event held this week that promoted age verification among other forms of speech regulation.

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Master Nico Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Master Nico has relaunched his official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Federal Judge Grants Partial Halt of Florida AV Law

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, has granted a preliminary injunction against HB 3, the state's age verification law, as a lawsuit filed by two online trade associations challenging the law makes its way through the courts.

Aylo Releases Statement on Suspending Access to Pornhub in France

Technology and media company Aylo, which operates adult sites including Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube, has released a public statement regarding its decision to block access to its sites in France.

Pineapple Support to Host Wellness Sessions at Bucharest Summit

Pineapple Support is hosting free group and one-on-one therapy sessions at Bucharest Summit, June 3-5.

Pornhub Blocks Access in France in Response to SREN Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo has opted to block access to its sites in France rather than comply with age verification requirements under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

ASACP Highlights Study on Parental Controls

The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is highlighting the results of a study on the underutilization of parental controls.

Sydney Screams Launches New Site Through Grooby's Blue.xxx

Sydney Screams has launched her new membership site, SydneyScreams.xxx, through Grooby's website management company Blue.xxx.

Mistress Mystii Is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for June

LoyalFans has named Mistress Mystii as its Featured Creator for June.

Show More