Israeli Diamond Portal Reports:Lazare Kaplan Loses Patent Suit against the GIA

PRLog (Press Release) – Mar 17, 2008 – By Tali Ayalon-Mester and Rachel Lieberman

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and PhotoScribe Technologies won a patent infringement lawsuit last week which was filed against them by Lazare Kaplan International. At the end of a two-week trial, the jury handed down a verdict that there had been no infringement despite Lazare Kaplan’s 10 patent claims.

The suit against PhotoScribe Technologies, which produces laser-inscription equipment, was filed in May 2006, while the suit against the GIA was filed in July 2007.

PhotoScribe’s President and CEO David Benderly, who said he was pleased with the verdict, noted: “Since we were sued almost two years ago, PhotoScribe's position has always been that Lazare Kaplan's lawsuit is totally without merit. Our position has now been validated, and we can focus our energy on selling our diamond laser-inscription equipment instead of defending against lawsuits.”