Target Accused of Infringing Patents

Discount retailer Target Corp. has been accused in a lawsuit of infringing patents for sunglasses that use vents on the side to reduce fogging.

Spy Optic Inc., which makes Scoop sunglasses, said it owns four patents for the vented sunglasses and one patent for the glasses’ design. The sunglasses have a small ventilation hole on either side that lets air circulate, cutting down on moisture on the inside of the glasses that interferes with sight.

Minneapolis-based Target has been selling sunglasses using that technology, Spy Optic alleges in a lawsuit filed last week in San Diego. Spy Optic said it sent a letter to Target notifying the retailer of the alleged infringement in August.

Closely held Spy Optic, based in Vista, Calif., asks that Target be ordered to stop selling any infringing products and to pay damages.