Hemstreet v. BancTec, Inc.

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

ASPEN, District Judge:

Harold S. Hemstreet holds two patents relating to “character recognition device” technology. When put to practical effect, this technology permits a machine to automatically read and sort written documents. BancTec, Inc. (“BancTec”), for example, sells its character recognition devices to major banks for use in processing checks and other commercial paper. Hemstreet filed suit against BancTec on August 3, 1989, alleging an infringement of his patents. BancTec now moves for summary judgment based on laches and estoppel. It argues that even if…