Western Digital Denies Infringement Allegations

Western Digital, accused by a Silicon Valley competitor of illegally infringing on key technology patents, on Friday denied any wrongdoing.

Quantum Corp. alleged in a lawsuit announced Monday that several Western Digital computer storage products are based on patented Quantum designs.

Until Friday, Irvine-based Western Digital had declined to comment on the suit pending a review by the company’s attorneys.

The suit alleges that Western Digital’s Filecard hard disk drive product and the internal design of a Tandon-built disk drive acquired by Western Digital were based at least in part on designs patented by Quantum.

“Filecard is our own design,” said Kathy Braun, general manager of Western Digital’s storage products business. Western Digital said it believes that Filecard does not infringe on designs patented for a disk drive product, Hardcard, marketed by Plus Development Corp., a Quantum subsidiary.

Western Digital also asserted that several disk drive products the company recently acquired from Chatsworth-based Tandon Corp. do not use a Quantum patent.

“There is no valid basis for the assertion of this patent,” the company said in a statement. “Additionally, the products involved represent a small part of the company’s overall business. Based on these factors, Western Digital believes that the suit will not have a meaningful impact on the company’s operations or financial position.”