COMPANIES that issue coupons online had better beware of patent infringement suits. Above all, they should avoid being spied by two firms about to have a rematch in a Chicago court.
Coolsavings.com Inc. is fighting charges that it has infringed Catalina Marketing Corp.’s patent for an in-store terminal system (similar to an ATM) that dispenses coupons to consumers on demand. This is the second suit between the firms, and the second go-round in this case.
There is at least one difference in the ways the systems are used: Coolsavings issues coupons from a Web site that consumers access from their PCs and print out from their own printers.
If Catalina wins,
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