ParkerVision sues to investigate Obama administration patent litigation interference

ParkerVision Inc., a Florida-based technology firm, has filed a lawsuit against the National Archives and Records Administration to investigate potential obstruction by the Obama administration during a patent dispute. The legal action, filed by the watchdog group Oversight Project, seeks to uncover whether administration officials interfered with ParkerVision’s long-running litigation against Qualcomm.

ParkerVision claims that marketing software tracked visits to its website regarding the patent dispute from the White House, the Justice Department, and Air Force One. These visits reportedly occurred around the same time that Qualcomm co-founder Irwin Jacobs hosted a fundraiser for President Barack Obama. The company also noted website visits from the law firm Covington & Burling, which has performed lobbying work for Qualcomm.

CEO Jeff Parker stated that the lawsuit aims to review documents to determine if any actions occurred outside the courtroom to influence the case. The records request follows a dispute over a patent claim that began in 2011, in which ParkerVision alleges Qualcomm incorporated its patented technology.