In latest updates from the legal world, a Delaware federal court has dismissed the majority of the preliminary requests for judgement in an ongoing case between Thomson Reuters and ROSS Intelligence. Both firms are currently embroiled in a conflict concerning alleged infringement of the Westlaw research platform by ROSS Intelligence.
The crux of the lawsuit suggests that ROSS Intelligence’s system allegedly copied Westlaw, a comprehensive legal research system developed by Thomson Reuters. Despite the early pleas for settlement from both sides, the judge ruled that this is not a situation appropriate for summarily “tidying factual messes.”
As this litigation progresses, the judge’s decision signifies that the fates of both Thomson Reuters and ROSS Intelligence should be decided in a more detailed trial process rather than through pre-trial rulings.
While the implications of this ruling will make themselves clear over time, many within the industry view this as a significant insight into the changing landscape of IP rights within the legal tech sector. However, professionals would do well to keep abreast of the situation as it develops.
A more comprehensive insight into the nuances of the case, as well as the potential ramifications for the legal tech sector, can be found at Law360.