MTN and Nedbank have responded to lone developer Pierre Nel`s claim that they are infringing on his patent. Nedbank says it will defend itself, while MTN calls Nel 'a dreamer`.
While Nedbank responded cautiously to a patent infringement claim by Nel on its sale of MTN prepaid airtime, MTN believes the claim will not survive scrutiny.
"We believe his claim has no substance and will vigorously defend the action," said MTN corporate relations executive Jacques Sellschop in a statement. "Ambition abounds in the universe and any attempt to patent what is common practice in the global telecommunications arena is best described by Shakespeare`s line: 'Such is the stuff that dreams are made of.`"
MTN also did not discount action of its own.
"Given the pace and enthusiasm of our technological revolution, innovative minds are bound to encounter coincidences of inventive genius and many products defy the constraints of proprietary right. In our opinion, the technology in question has been in the public domain for many years prior to Nel lodging his patent application. Nel has by implication disparaged MTN`s good name before establishing the validity of his claim and we consequently reserve our rights."
Nedcor responded with a terse statement: "Nedcor Bank, of which Nedbank is a division, acknowledges that it has received a summons from the attorneys of Pierre Nel, regarding possible patent infringement. 'The matter is being reviewed by our legal representatives and we intend defending the action,` says Martin Pienaar, assistant GM, Electronic Banking at Nedcor Bank."
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