IBM Files Lawsuit to Protect its Intellectual Property Rights

Rhea-AI Summary

IBM has filed a lawsuit against LzLabs for allegedly infringing its patents and misappropriating trade secrets related to its mainframe systems. The legal action, initiated in Waco, Texas, claims that LzLabs engaged in reverse engineering, made false statements about its products, and previously faced litigation for similar violations. IBM seeks an injunction to halt LzLabs' unlawful use of its intellectual property. The infringed patents involve methods crucial to IBM’s high-performance technology, underscoring the company's commitment to protect its investments in research and development.

Positive

• IBM's proactive legal action may reinforce its patent protection strategy, ensuring continued dominance in the mainframe market.
• Seeking an injunction against LzLabs could prevent future unauthorized use of IBM's technology, safeguarding revenue streams.

Negative

• Ongoing legal disputes could divert resources and focus away from innovation and business growth.
• The repeated infringement claims against companies related to LzLabs may indicate broader challenges in protecting intellectual property.

Accuses LzLabs of infringing IBM patents and misappropriating IBM trade secrets

ARMONK, N.Y., March 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today filed suit against LzLabs, saying the Switzerland-based company has violated IBM's intellectual property rights by repeatedly infringing upon company patents protecting various aspects of IBM's high-performance mainframe systems, a core technology that clients depend on for their most important workloads. 

In the legal action filed in U.S. District Court in Waco, Texas, IBM asserts that LzLabs has also deliberately misappropriated IBM trade secrets by reverse engineering, reverse compiling and translating IBM software. IBM also alleges that LzLabs has made false and misleading claims about LzLabs' products. 

IBM is seeking relief that includes an injunction against LzLabs to prevent further unlawful use of IBM's intellectual property and trade secrets.

LzLabs is owned and run by some of the same individuals who previously owned and ran Neon Enterprise Software, LLC of Austin, Texas. Neon previously attempted to free ride on IBM's mainframe business, and prior litigation between IBM and Neon ended with a U.S. District Court permanently barring Neon and certain of its key employees from, among other things, reverse engineering, reverse compiling and translating certain IBM software, and also from continuing to distribute certain Neon software products.

IBM has made significant investment in research and development in this critical technology field and will aggressively defend its investments and resulting patents against those who violate them, as LzLabs has now repeatedly done.

Patents infringed by LzLabs include:

• Two that describe methods embodied in IBM mainframe instructions that LzLabs must emulate with or translate into Intel x86 instructions,
• Two that describe methods of increasing emulation/translation efficiency that LzLabs must implement if it is to achieve optimized performance objectives; and
• One that describes a method related to the translation of IBM mainframe applications wherein IBM programs called by those applications are identified and an x86 substituted for each.

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Nearly 3,800 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Banta
Elizabeth.Banta@ibm.com 
732-996-4159

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SOURCE IBM

FAQ

Why did IBM file a lawsuit against LzLabs?

IBM filed the lawsuit to protect its patents and trade secrets related to its mainframe technology, alleging infringement and misappropriation by LzLabs.

What patents are involved in IBM's lawsuit against LzLabs?

The lawsuit involves multiple patents describing methods for emulating IBM mainframe instructions and optimizing translation efficiency.

Where was IBM's lawsuit against LzLabs filed?

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Waco, Texas.

What is IBM seeking from the lawsuit against LzLabs?

IBM is seeking an injunction to prevent LzLabs from further unlawful use of its intellectual property and trade secrets.

How does IBM plan to protect its intellectual property?

IBM has stated it will aggressively defend its investments and patents against anyone who violates them, as demonstrated in its lawsuit against LzLabs.