Internet Brands and Autobytel Announce Settlement of Multi-Party Patent Litigation
IRVINE, Calif. & EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--Internet Brands, Inc. and Autobytel Inc. today announced that, along with Insweb Corporation and Leadpoint, Inc., they have entered into a settlement agreement resolving Autobytel’s lawsuit filed against Internet Brands, Insweb and Leadpoint in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, relating to Autobytel’s U.S. Patent Number 6,282,517 for lead technology.
The settlement agreement also resolves a patent claim filed by Insweb, Internet Brands and Leadpoint in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of California related to Insweb’s U.S. Patent No. 6,898,597 for lead management technology and Internet Brands’ Complaint in Interpleader and Demand for Arbitration filed against Autobytel with the American Arbitration Association relating to a strategic co-marketing agreement between Internet Brands and Autobytel’s subsidiary, Autoweb.com, Inc.
“We’re pleased that we were able to resolve these matters and expand our partnership with Autobytel,” said Bob Brisco, CEO of Internet Brands. “Internet Brands and Autobytel are both leaders in the online automotive industry, and this agreement ensures that we will continue our long-standing working relationship.”
“The amicable resolution of all our outstanding patent issues is particularly important at this time,” said Autobytel Inc. President and CEO Jeffrey Coats. “As longtime leaders in the Automotive Internet, we are all partners in helping our industry weather its current economic challenges, and this is where our focus must be.”
Under the settlement terms, Autobytel and Internet Brands have agreed to grant to the other a non-exclusive perpetual license to their respective patents, as well as long-term covenants not to sue for infringement of current or future patents, and mutual releases. Autobytel will also have the right to publish certain editorial content, images, shopping tools and vehicle data from Autodata Solutions, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Internet Brands.
“This settlement strengthens Autobytel’s capacity to attract more qualified online car-buyers through more comprehensive online content, data and tools,” said Coats. “Additionally, by enabling the continuation of our patented Internet technologies, it should strengthen our collective ability to provide the auto industry with the best, most targeted and cost-effective way to reach consumers and generate car sales.”
About Autobytel Inc.
Autobytel Inc. (“Autobytel” or the “Company”) is an automotive marketing services company that assists automotive dealers and manufacturers sell cars. By connecting consumers to automotive dealers and manufacturers through internet lead referral programs and on-line advertising, the Company provides automotive dealers and manufacturers with opportunities to efficiently market their vehicles to potential customers. The Company purchases from third party sites and generates from its owned websites consumer internet requests for pricing and availability for new and used vehicles as well as for vehicle financing (these consumer internet requests are referred to as “Leads”). The Company sells the Leads primarily to its automotive dealer and manufacturer customers. Leads are purchased from a network of supplier websites, such as Edmunds.com, AOL, Kelley Blue Book and Yahoo!. The Company owns consumer-facing automotive websites, including Autobytel.com®, Autoweb.com®, AutoSite.com®, Car.comsm, CarSmart.com®, CarTV.com®, and MyRide.com®, that provide consumers with information and tools to aid them with their automotive purchase decisions. In addition to advertising opportunities on its owned websites, the Company provides advertising opportunities for automotive manufacturers and other automotive advertisers through the Company’s marketing network, which includes the automotive sections of third party co-branded websites operated by the Company, such as ESPN.com and the Company’s AutoReach advertising network.
About Autodata Solutions
A subsidiary of Internet Brands, Autodata Solutions, Inc. is a leading provider of consulting and professional services to North American automotive OEMs. As a pioneer of technology services for the automotive industry, Autodata Solutions provides a wide range of technology consulting services – from market analytics, product planning, vehicle configuration management, lead management, remarketing, order placement, consumer-facing competitive comparison website and in-dealership retail systems and training – to all elements associated with selling and marketing a vehicle. Autodata Solutions was founded in 1990 and has offices in Detroit, Los Angeles, and London, Ontario, Canada
About Internet Brands
Los Angeles-based Internet Brands, Inc. is a leading Internet media company that owns, operates and grows community and e-commerce websites in automotive, careers, home, shopping and travel and leisure categories. With a flexible and scalable platform, Internet Brands operates a rapidly growing network of more than 200 websites, of which more than 80 each receive more than 100,000 monthly unique visitors.