Cree sues flashlight company for patent infringement

LED lighting company Cree has sued a flashlight company for patent infringement.

Durham-based Cree filed a lawsuit in federal district court last week against E. Mishan & Sons, a New York company better known as Emson that, according to its website, is an importer and distributor of “As Seen on TV” products.

The lawsuit contends that Emson’s flashlights, including the Bell + Howell Taclight, willfully infringe on a half-dozen Cree patents.

“Cree will not tolerate and will aggressively defend against such blatant disregard of its intellectual property rights,” David Emerson, senior vice president and general manager for Cree LEDs, said in a prepared statement.

Cree is seeking an injunction barring Emson from infringing on Cree’s patents, plus actual and enhanced damages, which are akin to punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees.

Emson officials couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

Cree’s lawsuit has nothing to do with Durham-based Bell and Howell, the No. 1 producer of high-speed mail-sorting equipment. That company sold the rights to the Bell and Howell brand for consumer products years ago.

This story was originally published November 14, 2016 at 3:50 PM with the headline "Cree sues flashlight company for patent infringement."