Lauren Goode for AllThingsD:

Palo Alto, Calif.-based Nest, maker of a “smart” thermostat and target of a patent-infringement lawsuit filed by industrial giant Honeywell, has submitted a formal response to Honeywell’s claims.The start-up has also brought Richard “Chip” Lutton, a 10-year Apple Inc. veteran who managed the company’s patent portfolio, on board as vice president and general counsel.

Nest was founded by Tony Fadell, formerly in charge of Apple’s iPod division. The company made waves earlier this year for introducing a programmable home thermostat with a radically simpler, smarter interface than what you can buy elsewhere. No sooner had the company introduced its first product then it was hit with a lawsuit by Honeywell, which says that Nest is infringing its patents.

Chip Lutton left Apple in 2011.