Two popular iPod accessory makers are embroiled in a legal dispute that"s caused one of them to sue the other, alleging patent infringement. Netalog, the parent company of iPod peripheral maker Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO), on Thursday announced that it"s filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Belkin Corp. This new suit echoes another patent infringement suit Netalog filed against Griffin Technology in 2004 — a case that"s still pending in court.
The suit was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, and it alleges that Belkin has infringed Netalog"s U.S. Patent 6,591,085, entitled "FM Transmitter and Power Supply/Charging Assembly for MP3 Player."Netalog claims that Belkin"s TuneBase FM product infringes upon Netalog"s own design. Netalog has asked the court for injunctive relief, monetary damages and enhanced damages for willfulness — the suit is in the early stages of discovery, according to the company.