[September 21, 2009] Minerva and Cymbalta Patent Invalidity Evidence Uncovered by Article One Partners Community Tweet NEW YORK, Sept 21, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Article One Partners, LLC has discovered new prior art impacting the validity of two Minerva Industries, Inc. patents for mobile entertainment and communications devices. Article One also announced the discovery of new evidence which can show Eli Lilly & Company's patent for Cymbalta to be invalid, as verified by outside counsel. The discovery of this patent validity evidence can impact the industry litigation and continued innovation surrounding both cases. "With Minerva, a non-practicing entity filed suit against an entire industry. And with Cymbalta, the patent has been asserted to prevent generic drug manufacturing. Both are great examples of patent disputes where the true cost is born by the public," said Cheryl Milone, founder and CEO of Article One Partners. "Article One Partners not only allows the public to weigh in directly, but provides rewards for a citizen review of the patent system. The community helps ensure the validity of patents that are being widely enforced." Minerva Industries, Inc. filed a lawsuit on January 22, 2008, alleging that Nokia, Palm and more than 30 cell phone manufacturers and providers infringed on its U.S. Patents for "Mobile Entertainment and Communication Device" (Patent Nos. 6,681,120 and 7,321,783). The patents relate to add-on functional features for cellular phones and mobile devices. More than 200 references of prior art evidence were submitted by Advisors - members of the Article One Community. The key evidence was provided by three Advisors with usernames Columbo, Ramesh and Singh, who will share the monetary reward of $50,000. Cymbalta is the brand name for a drug used in the treatment of depression. Patent holder Eli Lilly and Company has claimed infringement by Sandoz, Inc. and others. Lilly's Patent (U.S. Patent No. 5,023,269) covers a pharmaceutical composition including a selective serotonin and norepinepherine reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI). It is orally administered for depression and other disorders. With more than 150 references of prior art submitted, Advisor Columbo was first to identify the key evidence and will receive the $50,000 primary reward. License Access to the Collection of Relevant Prior Art Uncovered For both the Minerva and Cymbalta Studies, the winning references are the primary prior art relied upon for the outcome of Article One's Studies. Parties interested in licensing access to the collection of relevant prior art should contact Article One directly. Importantly, only a U.S. federal court or the U.S. Patent Office can invalidate a U.S. patent. Article One announces only its own decision for the outcome of Studies - based on its analysis of the prior art for purposes of determining winners to its Patent Studies. A court or the Patent Office may disagree with Article One's decision. While Article One obtains outside counsel verification, Article One's invalidity position is not a legal opinion. About Article One Partners Article One Partners is a global online community that legitimizes the validity of patents. Community members - who Article One calls Advisors - have an opportunity to send in previously undisclosed evidence of patent validity. Clients can sponsor research to assist in defense of patent litigation and other critical uses of prior art research. Advisors can earn up to $50,000 per research project and share in about five percent (5%) of Article One's net annual profit. The result is a highly-rewarded community providing a second, citizen's review of U.S. patents to justify monopoly pricing for true innovation and energize U.S. patent reform. To learn more about Article One Partners, or to become a member of our community, please visit www.ArticleOnePartners.com. Article One Partners and AOP are service marks of Article One Partners, LLC. All other product and company names are the trademarks and property of their respective owners. (C) 2009. Article One Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. SOURCE Article One Partners, LLC http://www.articleonepartners.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]