US government begins investigation on Blu-ray patent

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 21st 2008 at 2:30PM }

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to investigate a patent complaint against select short-wavelength light emitting diodes, such as the ones used by Blu-ray players. The complaint was filed by Gertrude Neumark Rothschild of Hartsdale, NY, on February 20, 2008, and alleges that some aspects of Blu-ray technology infringes on patents.

Thirty companies, including Sony and other Blu-ray player manufacturers, are listed as respondents. The ITC investigation doesn't necessarily mean any foul play has been committed -- the ITC states they have "not yet made any decision on the merits of the case." This could be over quickly, or Sony can expect yet another long-haul legal battle over its technologies.

Tags: blu-ray, lawsuit, patent

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Spoony @ Mar 21st 2008 2:42PM

You would think after the 100th patent infringement lawsuit filed against them Sony would hire someone who does nothing but searches through the patent office to ensure no one will ever have a case against a Sony product again.

Kodros @ Mar 21st 2008 2:53PM

They do, but patents are can be extremely vague. Plus, this isn't just Sony, there's 29 other companies involved.

Also, I'm sure that this is just somebody trying to force the Blu-Ray people to pay them some money to get this over with quickly and quietly. It's pretty shady that this happens right after they win the format war...

gman @ Mar 21st 2008 4:17PM

Actually her case is really good. She patented the manufacturing processes to make LEDs higher up in the visual spectrum (blue, purple) as well as ultraviolet wave lengths. She has already won (settled) with Philips.

H Choi @ Mar 21st 2008 3:01PM

A sore HD DVD owner perhaps?

wonway01 @ Mar 21st 2008 3:14PM

When big money is involved, everyone wants some. Seems alot of people or companies are looking for the smallest hook so they can get a piece of the never ending royalities.

Mikey G @ Mar 21st 2008 3:15PM

The complaint was filed by Gertrude Neumark Rothschild of Hartsdale, NY, on February 20, 2008... this is no Average Joe. Hes one of the Most powerful people in the world. Big Part of The New World Order. Billions of Dollars in this Man's Pocket.

Watch The Movie "EndGame" about the Bilderberg group and the new world order,Rothschild has a few things in there... Go Gov't Corruption!

XeroState @ Mar 21st 2008 3:21PM

Gertrude is a woman, not a man. You try to sound intelligent and get that wrong, bravo

JerJerBinks @ Mar 21st 2008 3:45PM

Actually, when you said "Big Part of The New World Order" you lost all credibility and intelligence. I was almost about to forgive you for calling her a "him" but then you had to go the wacko route. Frankly, I am surprised that you didnt say that she was actually one of the lizard people .

Michael @ Mar 21st 2008 6:51PM

allmighty google says she is a retired professor from Columbia University, so probably not part of the NWO but very likely a Reptilian :P

Michael C. Sherrin @ Mar 21st 2008 3:33PM

Really, the patent system is just royally screwed up. A patent attorney even has a patent for posting JPEG images on web pages. The patent office just approves almost everything even though most of the patents are very broad, not new inventions, or have tons of prior art (which means someone has invented it before). That's why companies like Sony, Apple, Microsoft, and Google are sued every 5 minutes because there are companies now who's sole purpose is to collect patents and sue companies. I'm not sure what the merits of this case are, but I'm sure it's just more money hunting from 30 companies than trying to compete.

*******
Michael C. Sherrin
http://www.prodigeek.com/

Also, here's the article about the JPEG patent holder:
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20071205/025243.shtml

deusmecha @ Mar 21st 2008 3:39PM

Anyone notice how everyone wants a piece of Sony AFTER a product of theirs becomes a success?

First, Dualshock. Now, Blu-Ray.

Organic_Shadow @ Mar 21st 2008 4:52PM

You better believe these guys waited to see which format won before flinging this wad of poo...

Eddie @ Mar 21st 2008 5:14PM

WTF? Do you have metal problems?

Deadpool @ Mar 21st 2008 6:04PM

We don't need any "Mel Gibson drunken rants" on this video game blog. Get some mental help and get to steppin'!

tucke012 @ Mar 21st 2008 7:25PM

I don't know what a rothschild has to do with Blu-ray, but mikey g was on the money. Anytime you see that last name you need to realize that they have more to do with your life than the damn U.S. Senate.

railven @ Mar 21st 2008 11:45PM

This has nothing to do with the format war or who won the format war.

Blue Diodes is the subject matter, and Toshiba (makers of HD DVD) are on the list of infringers.

Nothing to do with Blu-Ray winning. if anything, from what I read she started her appeal in 2005/2006, and is now starting to get the ball rolling on seeking compensation for damages.

Seems she has a strong case, wait and see how it resolves.

Highlader @ Mar 22nd 2008 12:34AM

The trouble here is that she's suing essentially 90-somthing percent of the world's short wavelength diode manufacturers. If her patent (which applies only within the US) is so gosh darned special, when hasn't she got any commercial partners here in the US to build the things? The whole case is just another example of slightly protectionist and opportunistic legal work. I have no doubt about the lady's academic achievements, but as she's done nothing to make use of her patent herself, I think it's pretty rich to go after companies that have invested billions of dollars in manufacturing the things, taking the basic concepts and developing them further and commercializing them so that it's even possible to produce the things on an industrial scale.

You'll note that all the companies being targeted are companies outside the USA. The reason there are no US companies on the list is not because companies in the US obey patents any better than companies abroad. It's because no one else makes the bloody diodes.