About | Contact | Register | Advertise | FAQ
Spatial Newsletters | Twitter |
HomeNewsArticlesDataGIS JobsEDUCommunityLBSSTOREPhotosEVENTSDIRECTORYBLOGIMAGING
GIS Jobs - Post Your Job In Our Popular GISuser Career Center  
advertisement

GISuser Newsletter

See Recent edition

lbszone newsletter

subscribe GISuser


TOP Stops!

webinar

GISuser Sponsor


iPhone Geo Stuff!

Visit the iPhone Zone

Featured Event

 where2.0
15% Discount: whr10giu

GIS Job Opportunities
 

Loads of GIS Jobs!

GIS Technician
Traffic Data Specialists
GIS/ .net developer
CCRS Section Head
Platform Analyst - Geomatics
Experienced GIS Analysts
Support Analyst - Programming, Charlotte
J2EE Developer w/ GIS Experience
GIS Specialist - Ongoing Contract
Paid Geoscientist Opportunities on National Parks
GISuser Videos


More Videos HERE
Want your Video placed here? Contact us!
Recent Site Additions

GISuser Sponsor

GISuser Sponsor


GISuser 2.0

anygeo blog  gisuser flickr jaiku ovi
qik twitter youtube linkedIn
platial gisuser diggs mosh widsets

gisuser facebook page
gisuser flickr
linkedIn
twitter
youtube
gisuser blip.tv

Directory
Mapscape B.V. 
Category: GPS, Navigation, Mobile GIS


    

Patents cover popular online mapping of homes for sale, damages could be billions of dollars PDF Print E-mail
Written by Linden Alschuler & Kaplan, Inc.   
29 February 2008

Re/Max, Ryland Homes, Realtors Among Defendants Named in Nationwide Expansion of Real Estate Patent Infringement Suit

Patents cover popular online mapping of homes for sale, Potential damages could run into the billions of dollars

NEW YORK, February 28, 2008 — In a dramatic expansion of a legal battle pitting the rights of pioneering inventors and consumers against the real estate industry’s notorious and unauthorized use of patented methods used by millions of consumers to locate real estate on line, the nation’s largest real estate firms, home builders, and industry umbrella groups are being subject to suit for patent infringement in a case pending in Los Angeles federal court.

Real Estate Alliance Ltd. (“REAL”) and inventor Mark Tornetta today announced that REAL, which owns Tornetta’s patents (Nos. 4,480,576 and 5,032,989), has moved in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles to sue:

• The National Association of Realtors (NAR), with approximately 1.3 million real estate broker and agent members nationwide;
• Nationwide real estate brokerage firms, including RE/MAX and Keller Williams Realty;
• Home builders, such as Pulte Homes and Ryland Group;
• The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB);
• Enterprise computer software providers to the real estate industry, including Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions, First American Corporation, and others;
• MOVE, Inc., the company that operates flagship real estate websites such as Realtor.com, MOVE.com, HomeBuilder.com, RentNet.com, and SeniorHousingNet.com; and
• More than 25 other defendants representing nationwide classes of claimed infringers:  real estate brokers, agents, multiple listing services, new home builders, and rental property owners/managers.

These companies would be sued as part of five nationwide proposed class actions, in a full range of claims designed to secure industry-wide compensation for intentional, massive, and ongoing patent infringement.  The claims in the suit are for direct infringement, contributory infringement, and inducement to infringe.  The suit seeks compensatory as well as treble damages.

Tornetta’s patents, “Real Estate Search and Location System and Method,” were applied for in 1986, and granted by the U.S. Government in 1989 and 1991, when both the Internet and personal computing were in their infancy. They cover user-friendly mapping methods “for locating available real estate properties for sale, lease or rental using a database of available properties at a central location and remote stations which use a graphic interface.”  The patents also cover certain online usage involving a “drilldown” feature, under which specific areas can be displayed in greater detail. 

It is believed that hundreds of billions of dollars in real estate transactions have been and continue to be facilitated by the unlawful infringement of Tornetta’s patents; MOVE’s websites, including www.realtor.com, attract an estimated 10 million unique visitors every month, and list more than three million homes for sale on any given day.  NAR acknowledges the importance of Internet-based searches in today’s real estate market; the organization estimates that three of every four homebuyers search for a home online and one in four find the home on the Internet that they ultimately purchase.

“We have tried for quite some time to use non-litigation means to secure the just compensation we are due for the industry’s flagrant and uncompensated use of my invention,” Tornetta said.  “We can not wait any longer and intend to seek the full amount the law permits from each and every person and company that has infringed on the patents that protect our intellectual property.”  Tornetta said that he has long tried to persuade companies and Realtors to license his invention, but has been routinely rebuffed, even as they continue to infringe on his patent.

To assist in the industry-wide effort, REAL has turned to William R. Huff, of the investment management firm bearing his name.   Huff is the financial advisor to one of REAL’s principal members.  In turn, REAL has retained the international law firm of Proskauer Rose LLP to head, manage, and lead the major litigation effort.  Dubbed by Crain’s Business and others as a “litigation powerhouse,” Proskauer, with approximately 750 lawyers, is renowned for mounting many of the largest and most successful cases in the intellectual property arena, including the recent class action against YouTube and Google, filed on behalf of owners of copyrighted content led by UK’s top soccer league, the Premier League, and US music publisher Bourne & Co.

“Proskauer feels privileged to join forces with our long-time client Bill Huff and the legal team representing REAL,” said lead counsel Louis M. Solomon, who also co-chairs Proskauer’s Litigation Department.  “We intend to prosecute vigorously all claims available to REAL and Mr. Tornetta under U.S. patent laws and to secure for them the maximum available damages and compensation.”  Solomon noted that REAL’s previous offers to settle and grant licenses to use the Tornetta patents have been withdrawn and are no longer available.

For more information:
Josh Epstein
Linden Alschuler & Kaplan, Inc.
(212) 575-454

 

Digg!
GISuser Feature Articles

Top iPhone related GIS and Geo Tech news stories from 2009 - At the end of the year its always interesting for us to look at some of the stats and results to identify trends and more important, to see what our readers think is hot! In the "news" category it seems that iPhone related geo tech items were extremely popular.

10 Awesome GIS and Mapping apps for the iPhone - I recall last year at the ESRI UC when an iPhone was on stage showing a prototype app (think ArcPad on iPhone). It was then that I realized the iPhone platform is going to be BIG in mapping and there's a ton of opportunity for developers.

Nokia Booklet 3G, unboxing video and image gallery... Those of you in the USA who pop in to BestBuy occasionally, you may have seen a stand showing off the Nokia Booklet 3G. A sleek, 3G enabled, SIM slot (AT&T) sporting netbook. 

Interesting Tweeple - 10 Geo Technology & Geo-Social Women of Twitter - given the growing love for geospatial and location-aware technologies, I’ve decided to hype 10 women that I feel make a significant contribution to the Geo-Twittersphere. If you’d like to add 10 knowledgeable and useful Twitter contacts to your Geo following list I highly suggest the following: (in no particular order)

10 Geo Social Location-Aware Apps Making Waves... With Twitter's opening of their location API to developers there's going to be a ton of third party apps that will enable Twitter users to share location-aware information via their Twitter accounts.

Signs that indicate you may be a GeoGeek (aka. GeoNerd) and some suggested Geo blogs - Chances are good that if you are a Geo Geek then you already know it and likely refer to yourself as one. However, there’s many of you out there that may be on the fence and wondering… “am I a Geo Geek?" Read on for a comprehensive list of signs you might be a GeoGeek followed up by some suggested Geoblog reading.

Real-time GPS Mapping and GIS Solution Aids Efficient Disaster Management  - Saturday, February 7, 2009 will forever be known as Black Saturday in the State of Victoria, Australia. In the midst of a 10-year drought, a record breaking heat wave descended upon the state, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees C (110-120 deg F), breaking all-time record highs in some cities - Victoria Police Use Trimble Juno SC Handhelds to Speed Assessment of Damage Caused by Bush Fires.

Data Spotlight - USGS and a new generation of Topo Maps - A primer on US Topo - Downloading “free” USGS topos from around the web?? Are you getting the new, enhanced USGS topos - US Topo?

The world's largest signpost maps out the UK's Good Things Last week in London, some 10 Mobile bloggers and mobile technology enthusiasts were in London to help Nokia promote the launch of Ovi Maps Good Things campaign. A promotion designed to encourage users of the Nokia N97 and new N97 mini to add Good Things to Ovi maps... check out more details and add your good things at http://maps.ovi.com/goodthings/ - see more on the sign post here

RunningMap Trackometer, iPhone app for runners and outdoor enthusiasts - I just heard about another cool location-aware iPhone app ideally geared towards runners and outdoor enthusiasts (and Geographers!) RunningMap (from Canadian company Spin Technologies).

10 Ways Your Tech Business Can Take Advantage of Twitter - Many companies and individuals are still asking themselves how can I use Twitter in my business? The following is a small sampling of some of the ways that your technology business can use Twitter to your advantage.

City of Vancouver BC, Canada Opens Access to Data - The City of Vancouver has launched its OpenData web site providing simple discovery and access to GIS data.

EPA Economic Stimulus and Recovery Efforts Map - View spending for each State broken down by $$ totalts obligated and spent. Click additional info for more detailed budget info.

Openness via Data.gov - Access A Wealth of Geospatial Data and a Cool ESRI SHP file Viewing Tool - Data.gov increases the ability of the public to easily find, download, and use datasets that are generated and typically held by the Federal Government.

Setting up Corporate Twitter messaging or a Team Twitter - Twitter has many uses and is valuable to many users in many different ways. Once great use of Twitter is to use it for quick, convenient messaging for a team or corporate use. Imagine a team of developers spread out all over the country or perhaps a baseball team that needs to get notices about a rain-out or change in game time etc… consider a team Twitter account. See also, 10 Things A Company Should Consider when starting their Twitter social media presence

feature articlesSee more GISuser Features HERE / See GISuser Spotlights Here 

Browse The GISuser Industry Directory Categories
Featured Events
  • Free Webinars and online training from LizardTech - Training dates include Feb 2, 16, 23
  • 2010 ESRI Federal User Conference February 17-19, 2010, Washington D.C. Walter E. Washington Convention Center - The FedUC is the largest geospatial conference for federal agencies. Connect with other leaders, decision makers, and GIS professionals.
  • The International LiDAR Mapping Forum 2010 - Tenth Anniversary Event! ILMF 2010 will be held from March 3 - 5, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
  • The NAVTEQ 2010 Global LBS Challenge Awards Ceremony will be held during Ignite at O'Reilly Where 2.0. Be among the first to hear as NAVTEQ announces the winners for the North America region. Participants will be competing for a global prize pool of $10 million and growing by showcasing pre-commercial location-enabled apps using NAVTEQ map data & products. March 30, 2010, during Ignite Where, 7:30pm - 9:00pm, at the Marriott San Jose, CA
  • WHERE2.0 2010 - Now in its sixth year, the Where 2.0 Conference is where the grassroots and leading edge developers building location-aware technology intersect with the businesses and entrepreneurs seeking out location apps, platforms, and hardware to gain a competitive edge. For 15% use Discount Code: whr10lbs
     

    List Your Event Here 

Suggested GISuser Reading
Google Geospatial Search
Google
 

 

or... try our CUSTOM GISuser Google Search!

Contribute to the GISuser Search (by Google)

TOP News Story
Sponsor

GIS Data Nodes

State GIS Clearinghouse Portals
State GIS Spatial Data Clearinghouse Directory



RSS and Feeds


feedburner
add to google reader




technocrati
Add to my Widsets
GISuser on your mobile!

Feedblitz updates via email, Tweet, or IM
Software

software reviews
Geo Technology Software

GISuser RSS Feed
GISuser Site Sponsor


Most Popular
GISuser HOT Spots!

Google Mashup Zone
GISuser WebMaps
Free Data Articles
Spotlights & Tips
GISuser Resumes
Data Links
10 Cool Things
The LBS Zone!

GISuser Sponsor


Partner Sites

machinecontrolonline 

symbianone

lbszone.com

symbianone

Spatial Media LLC
A Spatial Media LLC property

Affiliations


asprs

Get Listed!

Get Listed in the GISuser Industry Directory
social media
NEW - list your GIS/Geo social micro blog, twitter, facebook group etc... post your Resume HERE!

 




Spatial Media, LLC ©2003 - 2010 All rights reserved / Privacy Statement