Carbon Robotics Sues Laudando & Associates Over Alleged Laser Weeding Patent Infringement
Disclosure: I am not a lawyer and have no training in the profession of law. I did purchase the lawsuit materials and seek out a lawyer to help decipher the patent materials, but solely with the aim to help other interested industry parties have a base level understanding of what the accusations are.
Index:
Background on Lawsuit and Laudando & Associates
Intellectual Property
Overview of Carbon Robotics
Overview of the Lawsuit
Core Elements of Carbon Robotics’ Patent
Operational Sequence
Accusations Against Laudando & Associates
L&A System
Patent Validity?
Laser “Mode of Actions”?
How Does Carbon Robotics Patent Compare to Other Electric Weeders?
Verdant Robotics
Key Differences
Thoughts from Others on Linkedin
Final Thoughts
Background on Lawsuit
On November 2nd, Christopher Laudando, President and founder of Laudando & Associates LLC posted the following on Linkedin:
Highlighting that they would be presented with a lawsuit surrounding their L&Aser product, a pre-commercial laser weeding product.
Intellectual Property
My general view is that patents are support innovation, and companies that successfully attain patents should reap the rewards of protection and/or royalties for their efforts, which is what intellectual property law is supposed to be for.
IP law in the United States exists to protect creations of the mind, like inventions, artistic works, designs, symbols, and names, by granting exclusive rights to creators and inventors. Rooted in the U.S. Constitution, IP law aims to "promote the progress of science and useful arts" by offering creators and investors limited monopolies on their work. This incentivizes innovation by allowing inventors and companies to recoup investments, profit from their ideas, and reinvest in further development, while also helping to bring a competitive dyanmic to the market in the long term.
IP law supports companies by providing legal tools to safeguard competitive advantages, enabling them to differentiate products, secure market share, and build brand value. For innovation, IP protection reduces the risk of appropriation by others, fostering a more dynamic environment where new technologies and creative works can flourish. At its core, U.S. IP law strives to balance rewarding innovation with the public’s interest in access to knowledge and technological progress, thereby creating an ecosystem where both companies and society can benefit from advancements.
Overview of Carbon Robotics
Carbon Robotics is an agtech company specializing in precision weeding solutions through advanced laser technology.
Founded in 2018, Carbon Robotics has raised $157 million to develop and distribute the LaserWeeder™, a tractor-mounted system that uses AI-driven computer vision to detect and target weeds. The machine directs lasers to eliminate weeds without disturbing crops or soil, reducing the need for herbicides.
Overview of the Lawsuit
In the lawsuit, Carbon Robotics claims that Laudando & Associates (L&A) has infringed on its patented technology, specifically detailed in the ‘752 and ‘547 patents. Here’s a breakdown of the core elements of Carbon Robotics' patent and what they are alleging against L&A: