Judge dismisses patent lawsuit against Mattel

updated 11:15 a.m. ET March 31, 2006

NEW YORK - Toy maker Mattel Inc. on Friday said a federal court in Delaware dismissed a patent lawsuit brought against the company and its Fisher-Price subsidiary by rival LeapFrog Enterprises Inc.

The lawsuit was originally filed by LeapFrog in October 2003 and revolved around Fisher-Price’s PowerTouch toy, which is an interactive book that helps children learn reading and other skills.

On Thursday, a U.S. District judge found that El Segundo, Calif.-based Mattel and Fisher-Price did not infringe the LeapFrog patent.

In response to the decision, Neil Friedman, president of Mattel Brands, said in a statement, “As a company that invests significantly in the development of innovative products and intellectual property, we respect the intellectual property rights of others and conduct our business with the utmost integrity.”

Tom Kalinske, chief executive of Emeryville, Calif.-based Leapfrog, responded: “Technology-based patent litigation is very complex and challenging. Nonetheless, we will continue to defend our intellectual property rights in the future.”

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