MVTec changes distributor in the UK, and defends patent violation claims
MVTec Software GmbH of Munich, Germany, has reappointed MultiPix Imaging Ltd as its distributor in the UK. The German manufacturer of software for machine-vision applications is also strongly defending patent violation claims brought against it by US-based Cognex Corp.
As of August 1, 2008, MultiPix, UK, will distribute MVTec's machine vision software products in the UK and Ireland. It will also provide technical support of the firm's Halcon software library and ActivVisionTools. The company, which is based in Petersfield, had already been MVTec's distribution partner for these regions until 2005.
"The UK is one of the most outstanding industrial markets in the world. Thus, MVTec wants to expand its sales activities in this market place. We are sure that MultiPix will meet our requirements in the future in the same, highly qualified and exceptional way as we already know it from the past," commented Dr Olaf Munkelt, Managing Director of MVTec.
Peter Hunt, Managing Director of MultiPix, added: "MultiPix Imaging is delighted to be working alongside MVTec Software GmbH again. We look forward to selling and supporting Halcon and ActivVisionTools machine-vision software along with the complementary products currently offered by MultiPix Imaging."
The distribution channel transition has been carefully chosen to prepare for the launch of Halcon 9.0 at the beginning of 2009. According to MVTec, this latest version will offer dramatic performance increases, better usability and completely new matching technologies.
In other, unrelated news, US-based Cognex Corp, has filed a complaint against MVTec Software GmbH, MVTec Llc, the US sales and support centre of MVTec Software in Boston, Massachusetts, and Fuji America Corp, a US subsidiary of Fuji Machine Mfg Co Ltd of Japan.
According to the complaint, which was filed in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts in Boston, USA, Cognex alleges that MVTec's product Halcon violates several of its US patents that relate to matching technology - one of the core technologies used widely in machine vision. According to MVTec, it is also claimed that Fuji, a prominent manufacturer of semiconductor equipment, has infringed the same Cognex US patents because it allegedly uses Halcon software in its machines.
"One of the important values within business is to understand the concept of fair competition. Part of these values is to respect intellectual property rights," said Dr Munkelt.
"MVTec is ready and committed to defend itself as well as its customers against these claims because we believe these claims to be unfounded. MVTec has spent a great amount of resources over the years to invent, develop and patent machine-vision technology. Last but not least, we should keep in mind that back in 2003 Cognex withdrew a lawsuit regarding matching technology against another one of its biggest competitors."
Contacts:
MVTec Software GmbH
Neherstrasse 1
Munich, D-81675
Germany
Phone: +49-89-457-6950
Fax: +49-89-457-695-55
Email: info@mvtec.com
Web: http://www.mvtec.com
MultiPix Imaging Ltd
Enterprise House
1 Ridgeway Office Park
Bedford Road
Petersfield,
Hampshire GU32 3QF
UK
Phone: +44-1730-233332
Fax: +44-1730-231062
Email: sales@multipix.com
Web: http://www.multipix.com
As of August 1, 2008, MultiPix, UK, will distribute MVTec's machine vision software products in the UK and Ireland. It will also provide technical support of the firm's Halcon software library and ActivVisionTools. The company, which is based in Petersfield, had already been MVTec's distribution partner for these regions until 2005.
"The UK is one of the most outstanding industrial markets in the world. Thus, MVTec wants to expand its sales activities in this market place. We are sure that MultiPix will meet our requirements in the future in the same, highly qualified and exceptional way as we already know it from the past," commented Dr Olaf Munkelt, Managing Director of MVTec.
Peter Hunt, Managing Director of MultiPix, added: "MultiPix Imaging is delighted to be working alongside MVTec Software GmbH again. We look forward to selling and supporting Halcon and ActivVisionTools machine-vision software along with the complementary products currently offered by MultiPix Imaging."
The distribution channel transition has been carefully chosen to prepare for the launch of Halcon 9.0 at the beginning of 2009. According to MVTec, this latest version will offer dramatic performance increases, better usability and completely new matching technologies.
In other, unrelated news, US-based Cognex Corp, has filed a complaint against MVTec Software GmbH, MVTec Llc, the US sales and support centre of MVTec Software in Boston, Massachusetts, and Fuji America Corp, a US subsidiary of Fuji Machine Mfg Co Ltd of Japan.
According to the complaint, which was filed in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts in Boston, USA, Cognex alleges that MVTec's product Halcon violates several of its US patents that relate to matching technology - one of the core technologies used widely in machine vision. According to MVTec, it is also claimed that Fuji, a prominent manufacturer of semiconductor equipment, has infringed the same Cognex US patents because it allegedly uses Halcon software in its machines.
"One of the important values within business is to understand the concept of fair competition. Part of these values is to respect intellectual property rights," said Dr Munkelt.
"MVTec is ready and committed to defend itself as well as its customers against these claims because we believe these claims to be unfounded. MVTec has spent a great amount of resources over the years to invent, develop and patent machine-vision technology. Last but not least, we should keep in mind that back in 2003 Cognex withdrew a lawsuit regarding matching technology against another one of its biggest competitors."
Contacts:
MVTec Software GmbH
Neherstrasse 1
Munich, D-81675
Germany
Phone: +49-89-457-6950
Fax: +49-89-457-695-55
Email: info@mvtec.com
Web: http://www.mvtec.com
MultiPix Imaging Ltd
Enterprise House
1 Ridgeway Office Park
Bedford Road
Petersfield,
Hampshire GU32 3QF
UK
Phone: +44-1730-233332
Fax: +44-1730-231062
Email: sales@multipix.com
Web: http://www.multipix.com
