INTTRA Files Counterclaims Against GT Nexus for Patent Infringement

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- INTTRA, the leading provider of e-commerce solutions for the ocean freight industry, today announced that it has filed counterclaims against GT Nexus, Inc. ("GT Nexus") in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Oakland division, alleging that GT Nexus' supply chain management platform infringes U.S. Patent Nos. 7,752,142; 7,756,794; 7,761,387; and 7,827,119 (the "Common Carrier System patents"), which relate to certain proprietary systems and methods for managing shipments using an e-commerce platform.  

"We regret that we are forced to respond to the patent infringement and corresponding litigation initiated by GT Nexus," said Ken Bloom, Chief Executive Officer of INTTRA.  "Our competitive advantage today is a direct result of our significant investment in research and development, which is now compromised by GT Nexus' illegal action.  We will vigorously defend our intellectual property to promote the continued creation of innovative logistics solutions for the benefit of our customers, carriers and shippers."

INTTRA's claims are brought as counterclaims to the lawsuit first filed by GT Nexus on May 2, 2011, alleging that INTTRA's Common Carrier System patents are invalid and not infringed by GT Nexus' supply chain management platform.  GT Nexus' lawsuit follows good faith negotiations between the two companies wherein INTTRA proposed that GT Nexus use INTTRA's patented technology.

Bloom continued, "We have attempted on numerous occasions to resolve this issue with GT Nexus without resorting to litigation.  Despite our best efforts, GT Nexus has chosen to unlawfully infringe on our patents and has demonstrated complete disregard for the U.S. patent system."

INTTRA has an alliance program that offers the largest network of carriers to the ocean freight industry through inter-connectivity between its software solutions and database and the software of 49 companies.  The alliance program increases the efficiency of the ocean freight industry through single-point logistics solutions, and is revolutionizing the way ocean freight companies and their partners conduct business.  There is no charge for joining the alliance program and INTTRA has never denied entry to a partner.  

The INTTRA alliance program provides many advantages and efficiencies for carriers, shippers, and the shipping industry.  In fact, more than 40 technology companies have recognized these advantages, and have become INTTRA alliance partners.  These companies are able to leverage their expertise and rely on INTTRA for managing the details of booking and tracking container shipments.  INTTRA has offered the same nondiscriminatory alliance program to GT Nexus, providing an inexpensive solution for GT Nexus and its customers.  In fact, some customers today already use the combined services of INTTRA and GT Nexus via an existing connection between INTTRA and GT Nexus.  In addition to the alliance program, INTTRA also offers a licensing program for its patented technology for carriers and shippers that wish to use the ocean shipping services of other vendors.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is serving as legal counsel to INTTRA.

About INTTRA

INTTRA is a leading global provider of e-commerce solutions to the ocean freight industry. INTTRA professionals work with over 30 leading carriers and their customers to streamline and standardize their shipping processes worldwide through a network of more than 25,000 corporate locations. Over 450,000 container orders are initiated on the INTTRA platform each week, representing more than 14 percent of global ocean container trade.

CONTACTS:

Kelly Sullivan / Nick Lamplough
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
212-355-4449

SOURCE INTTRA