Patent attorneys who have reviewed the suit said Overture's patent claims can't be easily dismissed.``I think there is merit based on the breadth of the claims,'' said Dave Ashby, a patent attorney with the IP Strategy Group in Cupertino. ``I took a look at it and said, `Yep, Google does that. Yep, Google does that.' ''
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In its suit, filed in April 2002, Overture says Google is ``willfully'' and ``directly infringing'' on its patent. The company is seeking triple damages. [SiliconValley.com]
The ability to ask for triple damages would be a consequence of a finding of "willful infringement."
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