JT Packard exec resigns after settling copyright disputes

Madison, Wis. - Following a devastating legal rebuke, the chief executive of JT Packard has left the company he founded to pursue other business interests.

Jeff Cason, who had served as president of the Verona-based provider of uninterruptible power supply services, resigned after settling two separate legal disputes. Former executive vice president Charley Eaton was appointed president of JT Packard.

Packard was sued for copyright infringement by UPS manufacturer MGE, which claimed that the Wisconsin company had illegally used the proprietary software integrated into its UPS systems.

Powerware, a UPS manufacturer owned by Eaton Corp., also moved to protect proprietary intellectual property by filing a similar lawsuit against Packard.

Cason countersued on antitrust grounds, arguing that UPS manufacturers were attempting to continue their dominance in the service space by installing "padlock software" in UPS systems to guarantee a claim on post-warranty service. Both cases recently were settled, but not before a federal judge, ruling that Packard violated a court order to provide software and data to MGE, directed Packard and Cason to pay MGE 30 percent of Packard's gross revenue dating back to July 31, 2004.

The ruling prompted Packard to pursue settlements with both plaintiffs.

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