Sony gets hit by another lawsuit, complete destruction demanded
by Nick Doerr 
{ Jul 31st 2007 at 8:30AM }
The most interesting part of this lawsuit are the demands laid out by the PPC -- "damages and attorney's fees with interest, as well as the impounding and destruction of all Sony products that infringe on the patent." Fat chance, jerks. We won't let Sony give up all of their PS3's, ones we've purchased, and watch them get destroyed. It is this claim that makes us scoff in disgust and really wonder what these little companies are thinking. If Sony stole an idea, fine, let them pay you. But don't ask for something so outlandish and ridiculous.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Albanian_Killa @ Jul 31st 2007 8:51AM
Idiots. Destroy the PlayStation 3? Yeah right...I hate little companies that emerge from the shadows and randomly sue Sony.
LluisGerard @ Jul 31st 2007 8:52AM
If this company touch any PS3, 6 milion people will destroy that company... lol!
Thomas @ Jul 31st 2007 8:53AM
You can read the patents on google.com (patent search) It's really a suit that should go against anyone using a multicore processor, which should include Sony, Intel, IBM, Microsoft..
Iconic @ Jul 31st 2007 8:57AM
Unfortunately, a company I work for is testing PS3 to see what kind of high performance computing environment they can squeeze out of it. This technology is already in the hands of not just consumers but business as well.
IF this company were to ever act on this patent, what they have asked is NOT unreasonable given it's use beyond the video games market (where the potential big money is for both IBM and Sony). BUT if this jerk of a company just planned on sitting on the patent until they got a big payday, then Sony shouldn't even pay them a dime, much less destroy PS3's.
dsr7997 @ Jul 31st 2007 9:00AM
Why do these bogus and lame lawsuits always get filed in Texas? I live in and have always lived in Houston and don't understand why these things always seem to be filed in Texas. Anyone?
Neil @ Jul 31st 2007 9:13AM
I bet the caveman who invented the wheel is gutted he's not around today..... of course, he'd have to be an American caveman.
GodisaMyth @ Jul 31st 2007 9:22AM
I wonder if they are being paid by Microsoft to start this complete BS.
The Cell was a joint project by IBM, Sony, and Toshiba.
What a bunch of Crap. I hope the Judge throws this crap out as soon as he sees it.
A Patent from the early 90's...are you kidding me?
A COMPUTER PATENT that is so vague that if you want to it can apply to almost anything?
Fuck off little BS company. Go suck Bill's dick fuckwads.
Popfrogs @ Jul 31st 2007 9:29AM
#5: Have you ever been to Dallas? This town is full of law firms. You can't throw a rock downtown at lunch time without hitting a lawyer. That's probably why stuff gets filed here.
Darkdrium777 @ Jul 31st 2007 9:32AM
People should be able to file lawsuits against people who file stupid lawsuits such as these.
The only comment that can perfectly describe this is "Bullshit", and I think most if not all people will agree.
karamo17 @ Jul 31st 2007 10:04AM
What i want to know is why is sony the only one getting sued, sony is just one of three companies that made the cell processor, that other 2 are IBM and Toshiba, you got to wonder why sony is getting picked on all the time.
Kris @ Jul 31st 2007 9:45AM
To be perfectly honest, and I don't mean to flame, but Sony isn't doing great financially with the PS3. Not to say its a flop, its an amazing machine, I love its capabilities and its potential, but its no secret its been a money pit for them so far. Not like its new, Microsoft has yet to turn a profit from the game division, I'm just pointing out the obvious.
So even if this patent was infringed, in my humble opinion, this company should PAY Sony for going ahead and losing money on it. Sure saved them a lot of trouble.
shase @ Jul 31st 2007 9:57AM
Well the thing is... dont patents expire after a few years (5?) unless the company filed the said patent proved they did something with it right? So this company must have either done something with it or just refiled? Anyway, I think Sony should counter sue that company's @ss to bankruptcy and be done with it. If I were Sony, paying them 1 dollar is 1 dollar too much..
And doesn't "synchronized parallel processing with shared memory" imply an SMP design? SMP could be 2 processors running parallel both sharing an Memmory controller and memory. It is kinda been a while but i think that's what it was...
Tim @ Jul 31st 2007 9:57AM
Pff ahahaha. This shit is just too funny. I mean cmon, "destruction of all Sony products that infringe on the patent", get the fuck outa here you knobs. Lol :D
Dahk @ Jul 31st 2007 10:10AM
Phew I'm Canadian =P I think my PS3 is safe from being impounded since this is an American thing! LOL not... like... they were going to obviously. But who knows, maybe it'll happen the same time I score jackpot at the slots.
But yeah, I think shase got it right - not too sure about the 5 years, but i mean, this is from 1991! Thats 16 years!
Besides, I think they mentioned that just to get '2nd best' and maybe get a big cheque or something.
gotti1914 @ Jul 31st 2007 10:15AM
the sad thing is that they are suing the wrong comapany...IBM developed the cell...Sony provided the funds...Toshiba did the BE...
there are too many companies using this new tech...sony is not the only company...I know most are pissed about this...and we should see some back lash...
Justin @ Jul 31st 2007 10:17AM
@2 6 million destroy their PS3, Sony has inflated those numbers it might as well be 600 people. I still know no one other than myself that even has one. I use mine for Bluray movies only! I haven't even bought a game for it. Heck my local Cicuit City uses theirs for the same thing. I hope I just have to destroy my controllers.
coplice @ Jul 31st 2007 10:23AM
IBM will have to destroy the best supercomputer of the world too?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Roadrunner
meh.. Sony need a "sue the others company" department like microsoft do
DSR7997 @ Jul 31st 2007 10:29AM
@8
We have more than our share of law firms as well. I should have worded my original question as, "why does a company out of California file a lawsuit in Texas?"
blitz @ Jul 31st 2007 10:41AM
Look at this guys:
-------------------------------------------------
Acacia Technologies Acquires Rights to Patent for Parallel Processing with Shared Memory.
Publication: Business Wire
Date: Thursday, May 3 2007
Subject: High technology industry
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Acacia Research Corporation (Nasdaq:ACTG)(Nasdaq:CBMX) announced today that Acacia Patent Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary that is part of the Acacia Technologies group, a leader in technology licensing, has acquired rights to a patent relating to parallel processors with shared memory.
----------------------------------------------
It says 2007, not 1991. And about Acacia company...
Extracted from wikipedia:
Acacia has been accused of being a patent troll and frequently uses 'bully' tactics (extortion) in conducting its business[citation needed]. After it secures its broad-based patents, it then forces small companies to pay royalties on its licenses by threatening legal action knowing full well these companies cannot afford to defend themselves.
Acacia is named by the EFF as one of the worst offenders for crimes against the public domain including;
* Employing broad patents that would cover everything from online distribution of home movies to scanned documents and MP3s
* Threatening dozens of small companies, including many home-grown adult websites
* Infringement campaign threatens to chill freedom of expression by limiting small companies' and individuals' ability to stream their content online.]][1]
They are currently claiming to have a patent for any system that compresses and distributes video and multimedia, especially over the web. This is a very broad claim. They are currently suing the pornography industry, presumably because they would be a soft target.
In short: BS.
Jonah Falcon @ Jul 31st 2007 10:47AM
1. 3.6M people own PS3s. Sony's shipped 6M.
2. They're not asking for purchased PS3's. They're talking about recalling PS3's from stores and Sony destroying the unshipped PS3's.
In other words, Sony would have to re-manufacture the PS3 from scratch without the offending technology. Which would be, in a word, pricey.
shase @ Jul 31st 2007 10:50AM
@19
If they are trying to "bully" Sony then they have a nother thing coming for them... I am not a sonyfaboy but I hope Sony sue that company back to the oblivion. Hell, all the companies who were sued should band together and class counter sue its ass into oblivion. It is really sad people taking advantage of the legal system in such perverted ways.
Thomas @ Jul 31st 2007 10:57AM
Me Grimlock say execute them! ------> [Acacia Technologies ]
Jason B. @ Jul 31st 2007 11:15AM
Jonah - 4.5 million sold, 6 million shipped.
blitz @ Jul 31st 2007 11:09AM
Just look at Acacia Technologies patents and lol.
http://www.acaciatechnologies.com/patentportfolio.htm#enc
jordanlund @ Jul 31st 2007 11:48AM
"synchronized parallel processing with shared memory"
That statement is vague enough that it could also describe the 16 bit virtual machine that's been included in Windows since Windows 95. When you run 16 bit applications in Windows they all share the same virtual machine. I'm pretty sure that idea is going to pre-date their patent rendering it null and void.
Super Douche @ Jul 31st 2007 12:03PM
At least if Sony recalled and destroyed all PS3's on the shelves, it would finally be difficult to find one in the stores! Ironically this would coincide with Sony finally getting good games on their platform! lol
shase @ Jul 31st 2007 12:18PM
DATABASE ACCESS
This patented technology generally facilitates smoother interoperation between databases and applications and can be deployed in a variety of markets including ecommerce, healthcare, telecom, and finance.
Are they going to sue oracle or any db system that has smooth interoperations?
This company must be making a lot of money suing to pay for its employees and lawyers..
AG @ Jul 31st 2007 12:19PM
It is so funny. It really does sound to me that MICROSOFT is the one behind these lawsuits. SONY IMPOUNDING all the units is the only way for the 360 to survive. I really cant wait until SOCOM comes out. That will def push alottttttttttt of ps3 sales. Since Crossroads is in it with PS3 graphics and new ablities. HAHAHA that goes out to all the 360 fanboys who jumped the gun and got quantity over quality.
WebMaster @ Jul 31st 2007 12:23PM
"I wonder if they are being paid by Microsoft to start this complete BS....Fuck off little BS company. Go suck Bill's dick fuckwads."
Posted at 9:22AM on Jul 31st 2007 by GodisaMyth
Everyone knows your a proud Sony coporate schill, and there's nothing wrong with that. However, the above statements just make you look like a complete dumb ass. Come up with something a little more creative rather then blaming Bill Gates for the evil in the world and Sony's troubles. The above types of comments cost you what little credibility you have left.
Darkdrium777 @ Jul 31st 2007 12:25PM
@28: Dude, Microsoft isn't behind this at all. In fact, the same BS happens to Microsoft too. Weird lawsuits and vague patents and shit like that happen everywhere in the industry (Every sector of it), so don't go starting a flame war.
mark @ Jul 31st 2007 1:14PM
Wow. Some of you fanboys need help (referring to the anti-ms group of you, who probably use IE on an XP machine...) Anyway, I'm sure Sony will bury these asshat patent trolls. Would be nice if they counter sued and destroyed the company that keeps initiating these bs law suits.
mccomber @ Jul 31st 2007 1:32PM
"Just look at Acacia Technologies patents and lol.
http://www.acaciatechnologies.com/patentportfolio.htm#enc"
Just wow. So many of those could apply to so many things.
IMAGE RESOLUTION ENHANCEMENT
This patented technology generally relates to the modification of images to be displayed on a video or printed display to improve the perceived image quality beyond the basic pixel resolution of the display original image.
Photoshop does this.
LAPTOP CONNECTIVITY
This patented technology is used to connect a laptop or other portable computer to multiple external devices such as a keyboard, monitor, printer, or mouse, through a single connector from the laptop to the docking station. The use of a single connector for multiple devices makes it easier to remove the laptop from the devices when it is used remotely, and to reconnect the laptop to the devices when it is returned to the docking station.
That could refer to either the many "docking station" devices already out there. Hell, other than the mention of a monitor it could refer to a USB hub.
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL BAR CODES
This patented technology generally relates to encoding and reading a data matrix consisting of an array of data cells with a border. The data matrix can contain a variety, amount, and depth of information that would not fit on to an ordinary bar code. This patented technology can have many applications in the manufacturing, distribution, operations, accounting, and security industries such as tracking the movement of products, collection of data, improved production capabilities and anti-counterfeiting.
Better sue Microsoft. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/311712_software16.html
FullMetalZero @ Jul 31st 2007 1:37PM
#7 GodisaMyth, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Haha blame it on Microsoft. Thats rich.
TeamAwesome @ Jul 31st 2007 2:22PM
I strongly doubt IBM, the company who holds the most patents in the world and has a huge legal dept, is going to be standing idly by during this...
In other words, I wouldn't worry about your PS3 people
coplice @ Jul 31st 2007 3:09PM
STORAGE TECHNOLOGY
This patented technology generally relates to diverse aspects of storage devices and related technology. The patented technology covers data transfer, fault tolerance, caching, data integrity and error correction.
that touch every computer in the world...
TEXT AUTO-COMPLETION
This patented technology generally relates to systems and software that perform auto-completion of user text entry. This technology may be used in cell phones/PDA's, computers, email clients, web browsers, search engines and other applications where auto-completion makes text entry more efficient.
thats used in PS3 too, but it sux so much, maybe i should sue them for making someone so horrible
USER ACTIVATED INTERNET ADVERTISING
Interstitial Internet Advertising: This patented technology generally relates to the display of certain advertising, informational, and branding messages that appear between or outside web pages when the user is conducting a search, by storing the message prior to being displayed. This technology is most commonly used by travel based and other reservation based websites.
Pop-Up Advertising: This patented technology generally relates to user activated displays on a website, most commonly known as Pop-Ups or Pop-Unders. The displays can include advertising, surveys, messages, sound, video, applets and any other graphic or textual content.
holy crap
go read the link posted by #32, they have some fun pattent
never$$hort @ Jul 31st 2007 4:31PM
ARE THEY FUCKING KIDDING??!!?? These companies REALLY want to see Sony go down. I guess on a side note, hating on Sony is currently the POPULAR, IN thing to do in the media right now... and as many of us Sony supporters already know, THEY CAN'T TOUCH 'EM. That would be really funny if Sony actually lost and they really had to destroy PS3's, that company would get sued SO BADLY and all of us that had our PS3 destroyed would get some fat-ass checks!!
MisterL @ Jul 31st 2007 5:25PM
This is pretty unforgiveable, I vote we trash their office and break some bones.
pete @ Jul 31st 2007 5:36PM
@37, im with you, let me go thru my closet, i cant remeber where i threw my old torch and pitch fork. dang, let me keep looking.
Larz @ Jul 31st 2007 7:27PM
Ignore it, it's BS. This type of crap happens all the time.
Making up frivolous lawsuits takes little effort and can reap lots of money. They'll throw out tons of lawsuits and a small fraction will actually get a payoff, making them loads of money for very little work. If they get anything it will be an out-of-court settlement and we're not likely to be affected.
Consolcwby @ Jul 31st 2007 8:30PM
This stupid PPC company is a well known PATENT TROLL! They are only in league with themselves. What they do and how they do it:
1) They go around and look to buy patents of known used technology.
2) They buy said patents.
3) They then sue other companies and threaten outrageous consequences for violating THEIR patent.
4) They then offer to reach a quick settlement before news of this hits the streets to avoid "Embarrasing" the sued company.
5) They then go back to #1.
THIS IS HOW THEY OPERATE! Usually picking on only small companies, companies in financial trouble, or companies in niche markets where negative publicity would damage their reputation irreparably. In short, PPC, inc. are nothing but extortionists, using the U.S. legal system (and it's many loopholes) to make money. Unfortunately, they have use of people who see investing in a company like this is a quick buck and are willing to PAY THEIR LEGAL FEES!!! So, to sue Sony and lose, only hurts Sony, not them. (At least that is their thinking!) And this is LEGAL! THINK ABOUT IT: LEGALIZED EXTORTION! Until the U.S. institutes Patent Reform, this will continue to happen again and again. No company is safe from this abuse - and makes the U.S. technology market look dangerous to do business in.
............End of Rant................
Castor @ Jul 31st 2007 8:46PM
If you look at the patent list there is only one on there that has a copyright or any additional information on the patents. That's the DMT patent. You would think that if they have that much information on that one item they would have something on the other 50 patents listed with vague descriptions.
Definitely BS
gibson355 @ Jul 31st 2007 10:41PM
Frivolous. I'm sure Sony legal is dealing with many other crap lawsuits you just haven't heard about: FLOW gave mecarpal tunnel, Resistance FOM gave me PTSD, pain and suffering due to owning a PS3 since launch and having no games...you name it. There is plenty of prior art for parallel processing and memory sharing...they're just looking for an 'oh, go away already' payday and the restitution measures put forth are clearly intended to grab headlines...Sony will be just fine. And your PS3 is safe...I know mine is...100% protected by Browning, Inc.
John @ Jul 31st 2007 11:14PM
These guys did not invent or patent "synchronized parallel processing with shared memory," which has been around, in various forms for ages (like, since the early 70's?).
This is bizarre. Unfortunately, a company like this can make a claim like this, and even though it is dishonest in nature, this company, failing this joke of a lawsuit, will suffer no harm and no bad press, even though they made up a lawsuit.
But you will see plenty of press about Sony facing a lawsuit alleging that Sony stole a patent associated with increasing sub- and co- processor potentiality, thus infringing on markets which cannot accomodate such tasks, such as that market entrenched by a game machine featuring not parallel-processing but processing by three 'cores'.
I think this is a plant.
Let's look into who this company is, and who funds them.
I won't give any spoilers, but watch the ends of those branches.
Shoaib @ Aug 1st 2007 12:14PM
jerks wtf are they thinking thats utter bullshit
Darrell @ Aug 3rd 2007 8:54PM
Probably some company MS created.
Everyone is so scared to mess with MS, especially retailers.
and to demand such an outlandish thing?
This company better watch out or it could get counter sued and end up an ex-company.
JoJo @ Aug 29th 2007 9:05PM
To anyone who thinks this lawsuit can't affect you, think again. Remember that little warranty registration card you sent in when you bought your PS3? This company can get a court order to make Sony turn over all your names and addresses and get your local police or sheriffs department to go around and collect all the PS3's and you won't be resisting them or you'll end up in jail. Don't think it can't or won't be done.