Vari-Lite Files Suit Against Martin

Vari-Lite International Inc., which settled a patent infringement suit with High End Systems last December, has filed a similar action against Martin Gruppen A/S and Martin Professional A/S in the US Federal District Court of Sherman, TX.

According to a statement released March 1, the company seeks damages as well as an injunction against distribution of Martin's MAC 500 spot luminaire, MAC 600 wash luminaire, and the MAC 250 spot luminaire in the US. Vari-Lite, represented by Dallas-based Hughes & Luce LLP, charges that these products violate a patent it holds.

From its headquarters in Denmark, Martin issued a press statement saying "This case is without merit and the patent in question is based on invalid grou nds as stated by Vari-Lite."