AllVoice in new patent appeal

Voice recognition software developer AllVoice has launched a fresh appeal against rival Dragon Systems in its wrangle over patent infringements.

AllVoice, which released its WordExpress voice recognition software in 1995, has filed a suit in a US court for alleged infringement against Dragon.

The company has claimed that Dragon, which is owned by Lernout & Hauspie, infringed part of a WordExpress technology patent in the development of its NaturallySpeaking voice recognition software, costing AllVoice "millions" in lost turnover.

The complaint was originally filed in February 1999, but according to AllVoice, suffered from "inordinate delay in the US".

John Mitchell, managing director of AllVoice, said it had secured both UK and US patents for its WordExpress software, which allows users to play back dictation as well as checking wording on screen. However, he claimed that Dragon released similar software soon after.

Since the original complaint, Mitchell claimed Dragon has continued to develop its NaturallySpeaking software and recently shipped its latest version which he said "still shows infringement of the AllVoice software".

"AllVoice will not give up until the patent infringement issue has been sorted out," Mitchell said.

The Department of Trade and Industry has become involved because of a World Trade Organisation agreement between the UK and US, which AllVoice claims has been violated.

See also:

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