itracks and Artafact Settle Patent Lawsuit

Canada-based online data collection specialist itracks and rival firm Artafact have reached a 'mutually agreeable' settlement on the patent infringement lawsuit the former filed against the latter in 2008 - but have not disclosed its terms.

In the original complaint, itracks alleged that Artafact's Online Focus Group Software and Diary Bulletin Board infringed one of its patents. The patent in question is entitled 'System and Method For Conducting Focus Groups Using Remotely Located Participants Over A Computer Network' and was issued in 2001.

At the time, Artafact maintained that the patent was invalid, but in 2009, the US Patent and Trademark Office examined the copyright documentation and upheld that the system belonged to itracks.

While the companies have now settled out of court, itracks has agreed to license its patent to Artafact for an undisclosed sum. As a result, the pending case in the District of Massachusetts will be dismissed.

Web sites: www.itracks.com and www.artafact.com .