The Alex eReader electronic readers are pictured in this handout released to Reuters November 3, 2009. Spring Design, a maker of electronic readers, is suing Barnes & Noble Inc. , claiming the bookseller's newly launched Nook reader illegally copied its dual-screen design after the two discussed a possible partnership. Spring Design said Barnes & Noble used its proprietary design to better compete with Amazon.com's market-leading Kindle, while failing to disclose its intentions to make its own device. In a lawsuit filed on Monday in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California, Spring Design said it had shared the design of its Alex eReader with Barnes & Noble under protection of a nondisclosure agreement, hoping to strike a deal to bring a device to market. Reuters Pictures 1 month ago

The Alex eReader electronic readers are pictured in this handout released to Reuters November 3, 2009. Spring Design, a maker of electronic readers, is suing Barnes & Noble Inc. , claiming the bookseller's newly launched Nook reader illegally copied its dual-screen design after the two discussed a possible partnership. Spring Design said Barnes & Noble used its proprietary design to better compete with Amazon.com's market-leading Kindle, while failing to disclose its intentions to make its own device. In a lawsuit filed on Monday in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California, Spring Design said it had shared the design of its Alex eReader with Barnes & Noble under protection of a nondisclosure agreement, hoping to strike a deal to bring a device to market.

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  1. NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Lance Armstrong promotes 'Comeback 2.0: Up Close and Personal' at Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Triangle on December 1, 2009 in New York City.
  2. NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Lance Armstrong promotes 'Comeback 2.0: Up Close and Personal' at Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Triangle on December 1, 2009 in New York City.
  3. NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Lance Armstrong promotes 'Comeback 2.0: Up Close and Personal' at Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Triangle on December 1, 2009 in New York City.
  4. NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Lance Armstrong promotes 'Comeback 2.0: Up Close and Personal' at Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Triangle on December 1, 2009 in New York City.
  5. NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Lance Armstrong promotes 'Comeback 2.0: Up Close and Personal' at Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Triangle on December 1, 2009 in New York City.
  6. NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Lance Armstrong promotes 'Comeback 2.0: Up Close and Personal' at Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Triangle on December 1, 2009 in New York City.
  7. NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Lance Armstrong promotes 'Comeback 2.0: Up Close and Personal' at Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Triangle on December 1, 2009 in New York City.
  8. NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: TV personality Howie Mandel promotes 'Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me' at Barnes & Noble 5th Avenue on December 1, 2009 in New York City.
  9. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com Inc., shows a Kindle in Cupertino, California, October 6, 2009. Amazon.com Inc introducing Kindle, its wireless electronic reader, in over 100 countries, including China and most of Europe, intensifying a battle for the burgeoning digital book market.
  10. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com Inc., holds an interview with Reuters next to a Kindle in Cupertino, California, October 6, 2009. Amazon.com Inc is introducing Kindle, its wireless electronic reader, in over 100 countries, including China and most of Europe, intensifying a battle for the burgeoning digital book market.
  11. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com Inc., holds an interview with Reuters next to a Kindle in Cupertino, California, October 6, 2009. Amazon.com Inc is introducing Kindle, its wireless electronic reader, in over 100 countries, including China and most of Europe, intensifying a battle for the burgeoning digital book market.
  12. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com Inc., holds an interview with Reuters next to a Kindle in Cupertino, California, October 6, 2009. Amazon.com Inc is introducing Kindle, its wireless electronic reader, in over 100 countries, including China and most of Europe, intensifying a battle for the burgeoning digital book market.
  13. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com Inc., holds an interview with Reuters next to a Kindle in Cupertino, California, October 6, 2009. Amazon.com Inc is introducing Kindle, its wireless electronic reader, in over 100 countries, including China and most of Europe, intensifying a battle for the burgeoning digital book market.
  14. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com Inc., holds an interview with Reuters next to a Kindle in Cupertino, California, October 6, 2009. Amazon.com Inc is introducing Kindle, its wireless electronic reader, in over 100 countries, including China and most of Europe, intensifying a battle for the burgeoning digital book market.
  15. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com Inc., shows a Kindle in Cupertino, California, October 6, 2009. Amazon.com Inc is introducing Kindle, its wireless electronic reader, in over 100 countries, including China and most of Europe, intensifying a battle for the burgeoning digital book market.
  16. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com Inc., shows a Kindle in Cupertino, California, October 6, 2009. Amazon.com Inc introducing Kindle, its wireless electronic reader, in over 100 countries, including China and most of Europe, intensifying a battle for the burgeoning digital book market.

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