MORRISTOWN (dpa-AFX) - Diversified technology and manufacturing company Honeywell International Inc. Co (HON) said Monday it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Nest Labs Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. Honeywell said the lawsuit alleges infringement of seven of its patents related to its thermostat technology. The patents pertain to to simplified methods for operating and programming a thermostat including the use of natural language, user interfaces that facilitate programming and energy savings, a thermostat's inner design, among other things. The company said the lawsuit seeks to enjoin Nest Labs and Best Buy Co. Inc., which sells the Nest Labs thermostat, from using Honeywell's patented technology and to recover damages caused by the infringement. This action follows recent patent litigation filed by Honeywell against Venstar Inc. and ICM Controls for infringing thermostat and combustion controls patents. 'Competition is good and we welcome it, but we will not stand by while competitors, large or small, offer products that infringe on our intellectual property,' said Beth Wozniak, president, Honeywell Environmental and Combustion Controls. 'From our iconic 'round thermostat' to the first programmable and simple-to-use touch screen thermostats, Honeywell is known for setting the standard in home comfort and energy efficiency.'
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