APTA announces end to ArrivalStar's patent infringement claims against transit agencies

The American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) lawsuit over frivolous patent infringement claims against its members has been resolved, the association announced yesterday.

On June 25, APTA filed suit against ArrivalStar on behalf of more than 1,500 public transportation agencies. For the past three years, ArrivalStar and an affiliate had been filing claims stating that they own or are the exclusive licensee of patents relating to arrival and status messaging systems for the transportation industry, APTA claims.

"ArrivalStar has agreed not to make any future patent infringement claims against any of APTA's public transportation agency members or any vendors providing goods and services to APTA public transportation agency members," said APTA President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Melaniphy in a prepared statement.

At least 11 public transit systems had been subject to "frivolous" lawsuits by ArrivalStar, and had decided to settle rather than face "expensive and time-consuming litigation, which would have cost millions of dollars," APTA officials said.

APTA's lawsuit claimed that ArrivalStar's patents related to arrival and status messaging systems were invalid and unenforceable. In addition, the association asserted that the 11th Amendment prohibits state and regional entities from being subject to such suits.

"Now public transportation agencies and businesses can move forward with innovative technology without threat of baseless litigation," Melaniphy said.