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Business briefs: Jurors reject Deere's patent claims against rivals
2013-12-25 15:32:42| Industrial Machines - Topix.net
<![CDATA[Jurors have ruled against agricultural machinery maker Deere & Co. in a lawsuit that alleged rivals were infringing on its patent covering the design of heavy-duty mowing blades. Federal jurors in Davenport found last week that rotary cutters marketed by Bush Hog Inc. and Great Plains Manufacturing Inc. didn't infringe on Deere's patent. The trial centered on competing brands of rotary cutters, which are pulled behind tractors and are used to cut through fields after harvest and clear weeds and brush. Deere filed the lawsuit in 2009 contending the Bush Hog and Great Plains brands infringed on a patent issued in 2000 that covers a deck design meant to keep the blades clean by stopping debris from accumulating. Deere had been seeking an injunction and damages for lost profits and royalties. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is pushing the federal government to move forward on a slate of international trade agreements that could help bolster high-paying jobs and support the state's economy. Branstad joined 14 other governors this week in sending a letter to President Barack Obama and congressional leaders, urging them to support three trade agreements: the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, and the Trade in Services agreements. "These robust international trade agreements will enhance and expand economic partnerships and diplomatic relationships between the United States and participating countries," the governors said in the letter. Twelve of the 15 governors who signed the letter, including Branstad, are Republicans. Two are Democrats and one is an independent. Target says it has learned of some incidents of scam emails related to its recent data breach and is setting up a section of its corporate website to post copies of all official communication. The company says it is aware of "limited instances" of scam emails. Spokeswoman Molly Snyder says the company doesn't have any other specifics to provide about the fake emails. The Minneapolis retailer says it is creating a section of its website to contain copies of Target's official communication to customers, so customers can be sure they are really hearing from Target when they get emails from the retailer. Target said last week that data connected to about 40 million credit and debit card accounts was stolen between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15.
Tags: business
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Category:Industrial Goods and Services