EDVA Dismisses "Standards Conspiracy" Suit

Companies and trade associations involved in setting industry standards should take note of a recent decision out of the Eastern District of Virginia this month. 

In SD3, LLC v. Black & Decker, Inc. et al, a federal judge dismissed an antitrust suit alleging a conspiracy in the power tool industry to prevent adoption of table saw safety technology.  The suit, brought by SD3, maker of the SawStop technology which prevents table saw injuries, after unsuccessful licensing negotiations with the defendant power tool companies, alleged a "group boycott" on the part of the companies, claiming that the tool companies conspired not to license the company's technology.  SD3 also claimed that the companies attempted to prevent the technology from becoming an industry standard.