The Simmons Hanly Conroy has filed a lawsuit against the three largest voting machine manufacturers for infringing the AVANTE International Technology Corporation’s Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) and optical scan patents.
Named in the suit are Diebold Election Systems, Election Systems & Software, Inc. (ES&S), and Sequoia Voting Systems. The suit was filed on behalf of Kevin Chung, CEO of Avante International Technology Corporation, Inc., the inventor of these patents.
AVANTE’s VVPAT and optical scanning (which include automatic ballot-marking) patents allow voters to verify that their electronically-cast ballots are being accurately counted while also allowing for auditability between the paper record and the electronic record.
The AVANTE technology directly addresses widespread skepticism about the integrity of electronic voting, solving a problem that has threatened to undermine public faith in a process tainted in recent elections by allegations of computer manipulation.
“AVANTE isn’t the only victim here,” said Paul Lesko, Simmons Hanly Conroy lawyer representing AVANTE. “Local governments, acting in good faith in determining which electronic voting system would serve the needs of their districts, also have every reason to be upset at these companies.
“We believe the evidence will show that these companies sold infringing equipment to public officials, and that they did so consciously, with knowledge of AVANTE’s intellectual property,” added Mr. Lesko.
The Simmons Hanly Conroy is seeking damages and an injunction on behalf of AVANTE.
