WTRS Press Release

The Adoption of RF-Only Home Control Technologies Will Be Inhibited by the Aggressive Litigation and IP Protection Strategies of Major Industry Participants.

The manufacturers of Home Control and Automation products based on ZigBee, Z-Wave, and other RF-only technologies face significant litigation risk from a major industry participant. A new Report by WTRS, "Residential Wireless Control Network IP and Patent Report," examines in depth the substantial business impact of litigation on this market segment.

Mountain View, CA (PRWEB) August 2, 2006
The typical deterrents to acceptance of Home Control and Automation technologies are readily identified as low reliability, high cost, difficult installation and use, as well as the absence of an easily identifiable end customer value proposition. A previously unidentified risk, more difficult to overcome and hence more deadly to the industry and its innovation sector, is the control of key intellectual property assets covering RF-only solutions by the Lutron Corporation.

"Lutron owns a significant portfolio of patents and other intellectual property, including brand names, industrial designs and product dress, and their use of this portfolio to protect their business is very impressive," says Dr Kirsten West, Principal Analyst of WTRS. Lutron seems to be playing their cards very close to their chest, and with admirable skill and success. "Lutron is quietly but successfully protecting their intellectual property assets in the area of wireless lighting control; any company that hopes to establish markets in this field ignores Lutron at their peril. To be aware of Lutron’s tactics and expertise is just plain smart business", says West. "Ignore it at your peril."

The ‘Residential Wireless Sensor Network IP and Patent Report’ WTRS uncovers::

(1)    Key patents being used in Lutron litigation against industry competitors.
(2)    Key patents, claims and prior art described in the Lutron patent portfolio.
(3)    Litigation strategies and tactics employed by Lutron in its IP protection campaign.
(4)    Companies and products found to have infringed on Lutron patents and other intellectual property, as well as the current status of winners and losers

Using only publicly available information, meticulously gathered from public patent sources, filing information, court activities, and other research this report is truly an invaluable resource for any company participating in the Home Control and Automation Market, or planning a potential entry into this market.

For more information, contact:
George West, Senior Analyst
Phone: 650-940-1196

MORE INFORMATION ON THIS RESEARCH

Title ‘Residential Wireless Sensor Network IP and Patent Report’

Product Number: WT080206RIPR
Publication Date: August 2006
Number of Pages: 32
Market Brief, Table of Contents, Figures & Tables all available upon request

Sign up online at www.wtrs.net to receive email Market Alerts on this, and the Wireless Weekly Newsletter: "Heard on the Wire at WTRS"

Market Research from WTRS

West Technology Research Solutions, LLC (WTRS) is an independent market research and consulting company with 8 years in wireless research specializing in Insteon, ZigBee, UWB, Bluetooth, WiMAX, IEEE 802.15.4, Wi-Fi, and other emerging wireless technologies and protocols. WTRS helps companies track the market potential & viability of wireless emerging technologies. WTRS market research and consulting services provides customers with the information they need to assess market opportunities, evaluate investments, monitor competition, form relationships, and make crucial business decisions in following cutting-edge technologies. WTRS customers range from start-ups, some still in development, to the largest and most prominent players in technology. All have an interest in market intelligence that aids them in making crucial business decisions.


###