California-based Kilopass’ patent infringement claims against Sidense were overturned in August. This week, Sidense announced that a judge also dismissed Kilopass’ claims for false advertising, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage and unfair competition, with prejudice.
“Now we can focus on strategy, moving forward, growth and all of the things that come with growing the company,” Mr. Wania said in an OBJ interview, but added that customers, employees and suppliers have been patient through the legal proceedings.
While Sidense said the ruling terminates the Kilopass case and stated that it means “victory is complete,” the Ottawa company plans to seek legal expenses from Kilopass. While Mr. Wania said he couldn’t disclose the exact amount of those expenses, he added it is in the millions of dollars.
The memory chip maker has an estimated 15 per cent to 20 per cent increase in revenues in this fiscal year compared to last year. The numbers are preliminary as the fiscal year ended Friday, Mr. Wania said.
Employee numbers are holding steady at just under 40 people in Ottawa, plus sales people scattered overseas and in the United States.
Kilopass made its initial claim in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California concerning the patents two years ago. The patents have to do with embedded memory technology.
The case evolved over time, but Mr. Wania said at its peak, Kilopass alleged three patent infringements and four business torts against Sidense.
Kilopass still has the option of appealing its case. Mr. Wania said he had heard Kilopass was strongly considering appealing the patents, but had not heard anything further since the case was dismissed in August. He was unsure if Kilopass would appeal the torts as well.
Sidense was named an OBJ Startup to Watch in 2007 and has received several rounds of venture funding in the years following. Most recently, in 2011, it raised $5.6 million.
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