PHILADELPHIA -- An inventor filed suit against Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday, claiming the software giant violated a 1991 patent for a method of finding available real estate with computers.
Mark Tornetta of Windermere, Fla., who does business in the Philadelphia area, claims Microsoft is using his patented method on its homeadvisor.com site.Tornetta's patent is for a map-based, point-and-click interface to find available real estate using a computer.
He is also suing another company, Moore USA Inc., which he claims is using the interface without permission on its cyberhomes.com site.
Tornetta's lead lawyer, Lawrence A. Husick, said Tornetta had tried to get both Microsoft and Moore to sign licensing agreements, but both companies declined.
"We do not believe that we are infringing on a valid patent claim," Microsoft spokesman Tom Pilla said Wednesday. He said the company hadn't seen the complaint yet but was basing that position on information it got earlier about Tornetta's claim.
The suit said Moore is based in Grand Island, N.Y., and does business as Moore Data Management Systems. Moore USA officials could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Husick said he is seeking a court order shutting down the two Web sites. He said he expects to get a hearing in federal court within 90 to 120 days.