Just off a Webcast press conference long enough to digest the implications. AutomationDirect, the Web and catalog automation product direct reseller, has formally announced its C-More line of operator interface displays. There are so many new features (compared to its recent line of EZTouch displays supplied by AVG Automation) that Company Captain (founder and president) Tim Hohman talking even faster than usual couldn't cover them in a half-hour presentation.
In brief, for the low cost associated with AutomationDirect, the new OI line provides higher resolution (1024 x 768 pixels compared to 640 x 480 previously), bunch of standard connectivity, more memory, 65,536 colors (vs. 128), more objects, improved configuration software, data logging capability, more alarming functionality, animation, simulation and a 2-year warranty.
In a volley of press releases a couple of weeks ago, AVG President Shalli Kumar announced he had filed suit against AutomationDirect because it was developing a new line of operator interfaces while still under contract with AVG to supply its terminals. Kumar believed that this was a violation of the spirit of the contract. Meanwhile, Hohman annouced that AutomationDirect had filed suit last April alleging that AVG's advertising (it had decided to also direct market the OI displays in direct competition with AutomationDirect) was false and deceptive, plus trademark and copyright infringement. Kumar announced a temporary restraining order prohibiting AutomationDirect from marketing the competing line of proucts. Hohman countered that the restraining order was voluntary. Today, Hohman only acknowledged that there was no legal impediment to marketing this product line.
1:53:31 PM 
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