The case was brought by St Louis-based firm On Demand Machine Corporation (ODMC), whose founder, the late Harvey Ross, claimed to have created the on-demand book concept.
ODMC claimed that Ross first approached Lightning Sources parent firm Ingram in 1995, under a confidentially agreement, and shared his business plans, which was patent pending at the time. In 1996 Ingram told Ross that it was not interested in a partnership.
Lightning Source was set up in 1997 and was informed within weeks by Ross that it needed a licence.
The damages were for the period to December 2003 and ODMC claimed that the court could increase the damages to 24.5m plus costs.
However, a spokesman for Lightning Source said that the company refuted the allegation of patent infringement and would appeal.
Story by John Davies
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