Amit and Pradeep Jaipuria [NPE/INV] filed suit against Hoover’s over two patents related to access rights to user data in social networks.  The Jaipurias filed suit against LinkedIn in February.  The suit against Hoover’s alleges infringement by a Hoover’s service tied to LinkedIn.  According to the complaint filed against Hoover’s,  “In 2007 and 2008, Plaintiffs were approached by a number of companies, including LinkedIn, to license or purchase the ’202 patent and pending applications, including the then-pending application for the ’383 patent.  During these negotiations, high-level employees of Linkedln, including Linkedln’s Senior Director of Product Management, had discussions with Plaintiffs regarding their technology, its patent protection and their plans to expand and commercialize their patented technology to develop, among other things, a computer implemented method for networking with contacts of people within groups or companies in a public online community.  In connection with these discussions, LinkedIn formally offered to purchase the ’202 patent and pending applications for a combination of cash plus stock in LinkedIn Corporation. Plaintiffs did not accept LinkedIn’s offer to purchase the ’202 patent and pending applications.” 6/24, Eastern District of Texas, 6:2011cv00333.