USPTO Confirms Validity of TransData Smart Meter Patents Cited in Lawsuits Against Electric Utilities

DALLAS, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- TransData Inc. today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has confirmed the validity of all of the company's United States smart meter patents after concluding a series of ex-parte reexaminations.

TransData's smart meter patents are directed towards wireless "under-glass" communication technology invented by the company for use in digital electric meters. Digital electric meters incorporating this technology are commonly referred to today as "smart meters."

The USPTO ruled in TransData's favor after issuing a Notice of Intent to Issue a Reexamination Certificate in the last of four anonymously filed patent reexamination requests that challenged the validity of TransData's smart meter patents. In each case, the request for reexamination came after TransData initiated enforcement actions to protect its intellectual property. The USPTO confirmed the patentability of all pending claims in each of the contested United States patents.

TransData's smart meter patent portfolio includes the following U.S. and Canadian patents:

• U.S. Patent No. 6,181,294 - Antenna for Electric Meter and Method of Manufacture Thereof
• U.S. Patent No. 6,462,713 - Antenna for Electric Meter and Method of Manufacturing Thereof
• U.S. Patent No. 6,903,699 - Wireless Communication Device for Electric Meter and Method of Manufacture Thereof
• Canadian Patent No. 2,245,251 - Antenna for Electric Meter and Method of Manufacture Thereof

TransData continues to pursue patent infringement lawsuits filed against several of the nation's largest electric utilities, involving millions of smart electric meters. These actions are currently pending in a consolidated multidistrict litigation before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma.

Represented in the litigation by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, TransData has asserted its smart meter patents against CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric LLC (NYSE:CNP); Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC; Texas-New Mexico Power Company (NYSE:PNM); Denton Municipal Utilities; San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (NYSE:SRE); Denton County Electric Cooperative Inc. (d/b/a CoServ Electric); Alabama Power Company, Georgia Power Company, and Mississippi Power Company, subsidiaries of Southern Company (NYSE:SO); Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. (NYSE:OGE); Tri-County Electric Coop Inc.; and Wisconsin Power & Light Co. (NYSE:LNT).

About TransData
TransData is a technology based company specializing in the design and manufacture of advanced solid-state energy meters and related products that enable our global client base to more efficiently measure, monitor and control the flow of power and energy variables on the smart grid. Founded in 1969, TransData is a privately held Woman-Owned Business (WBE) with headquarters in Dallas, serving over 2,000 customers in more than 25 countries worldwide, including most of the top 50 largest U.S. electric utilities. More information on the company can be found at http://www.transdatainc.com. TransData is a registered trademark of TransData Inc.

For additional information on the recent notice issued by the USPTO, please contact Bruce Vincent at 800-559-4534 or [email protected].

SOURCE TransData