West Dundee firm sues Sears, others, for patent infringement

Sears Holding Corp.'s Orchard Supply Hardware Unit, Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc.'s Eddie Bauer stores, Totes Isotoner Corp. and two other retailers were sued for patent infringement by a West Dundee patent-holder.

Waters Industries Inc., of West Dundee, claims its newly issued patent 7,753,547 is infringed by a variety of caps with LED lights sold by the defendants, including Hoffman Estates-based Sears. The patent, issued July 13, is for a technology for hands-free lighting with a guard to prevent accidental activation of the light.

The company asked the court to order the defendants to quit infringing the patent, and for awards of money damages, attorney fees and litigation costs.

Waters Industries is represented by Timothy P. Maloney, Steven C. Schroer, Mark A. Borsos and Calista J. Mitchell from Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery, and Vince L. Liebman and Glenn A. Rice from Funkhouser, Verosen, Liebman & Dunn Ltd., all of Chicago.