Look at these frivolous BD related lawsuits and such - Blu-ray Forum

JTK · 03-21-2008, 03:27 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080321/...zR2miyhx4jtBAF

Quote:

TOKYO (Reuters) - The U.S. International Trade Commission said it would launch an investigation into some 30 companies including Sony Corp (6758.T) on possible patent infringements related to Blu-ray disc players and other products.

The commission said on its Web site on Thursday that the products involved are short-wavelength light-emitting diodes and laser diodes used in such electronics as handheld mobile devices, traffic lights and high-definition DVD players.

The move is based on a complaint filed in February by Columbia University Professor Emeritus Gertrude Neumark Rothschild, who is seeking to block imports into the United States of a range of products that she said were infringing her patent.

Besides Sony, companies cited in the ITC announcement include Nokia (NOK1V.HE), Motorola Inc (MOT.N), LG Electronics Inc (066570.KS), and Panasonic maker Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd (6752.T).

A Sony spokesman said the consumer electronics maker could not as the investigation is ongoing.

Somehow I have serious doubts about all of this.

Hope to hear from our insiders on this. I call shenanigans.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/l...nd-everyone-e/

^^ Could be related to this nonsense.

Maximus · 03-21-2008, 03:31 PM

Not shenanigans.

The case is real, and any company that doesn't settle will have to drag out the court case for a long enough time so that the old lady in question dies. That's not me being harsh, but realistic.

JTK · 03-21-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Not shenanigans.

The case is real, and any company that doesn't settle will have to drag out the court case for a long enough time so that the old lady in question dies. That's not me being harsh, but realistic.

That's sad.

According to rumor, supposedly Phillips already settled out of court.

The cynic in me wonders how I can rig myself up in a setup like this so I can "get a settlement."

I guess I need to actually invent something first. That might help.

Ah well...

Ferris · 03-21-2008, 04:06 PM

This is absolutely wild. I can understand the woman's side, if it is indeed Patent Theft. But, from what I understand, that can be near impossible to prove. And, as several have said, it would take a VERY long time in court before this suit is over.

Elandyll · 03-21-2008, 04:09 PM

I find interesting that she waited February, a whole year and a half after the format was launched, but during the month Blu Ray prevailed vs HD DVD, to start the legal filing.

Very interesting...

Meh, that's going to be settled out of court, and she just shows to be a money hungry ol' lady, not much to it.
Some people like her spend their time filing patents on tons of stuff, and checking newspapers to see if anyting newly arrived would not infringe on their patents, to make a buck.
Of course the patent systme is necessary to protect true researchers, but I'd very much like to know if she really was a part of the Blue Laser diode team, of if truly that team chose to illegaly use her findings without buying her patent...

Blinkman987 · 03-21-2008, 04:44 PM

Maybe she's legit. Maybe she's like Gibson guitars who saw Guitarfreaks in Japan and filed for a US patent, stealing Konami's idea and now using their sketchy patent to sue Activision over Guitar Hero.

Either way it's pure conjecture until someone knows the hard facts.

TheRealBob · 03-21-2008, 05:17 PM

I'm pro-Blu and all, but if the person legitimately invented and patented technology that is being used by others, then she's entitled to royalties from it.

I think some people are confusing "I don't want this to be true" with "I've looked at the facts and don't find this to be true".

For the record, I have not researched this at all and have no idea if she has a legitimate case or not. If she does, she deserves the royalties to which she's legally entitled. If she doesn't, then she deserves nothing.

theknub · 03-21-2008, 05:25 PM

from what i understand, her "groundbreaking" research was done in the 80's and early 90's. my original thought was that wouldn't this have applied more to CD and DVD than BD? how would she have been so far ahead of the curve on this?

03-21-2008, 04:09 PM	#5
Elandyll Blu-ray Knight Member since:Aug 2007 Location:MD Blu-ray collection:188 Trading Score:1	I find interesting that she waited February, a whole year and a half after the format was launched, but during the month Blu Ray prevailed vs HD DVD, to start the legal filing. Very interesting... Meh, that's going to be settled out of court, and she just shows to be a money hungry ol' lady, not much to it. Some people like her spend their time filing patents on tons of stuff, and checking newspapers to see if anyting newly arrived would not infringe on their patents, to make a buck. Of course the patent systme is necessary to protect true researchers, but I'd very much like to know if she really was a part of the Blue Laser diode team, of if truly that team chose to illegaly use her findings without buying her patent... Last edited by Elandyll; 03-21-2008 at 04:12 PM.

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03-21-2008, 03:31 PM	#2
Maximus Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2006	Not shenanigans. The case is real, and any company that doesn't settle will have to drag out the court case for a long enough time so that the old lady in question dies. That's not me being harsh, but realistic.

03-21-2008, 04:06 PM	#4
Ferris Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay Area Blu-ray collection:79 Trading Score:1	This is absolutely wild. I can understand the woman's side, if it is indeed Patent Theft. But, from what I understand, that can be near impossible to prove. And, as several have said, it would take a VERY long time in court before this suit is over.

03-21-2008, 04:44 PM	#6
Blinkman987 Banned Member since:Mar 2008	Maybe she's legit. Maybe she's like Gibson guitars who saw Guitarfreaks in Japan and filed for a US patent, stealing Konami's idea and now using their sketchy patent to sue Activision over Guitar Hero. Either way it's pure conjecture until someone knows the hard facts.

03-21-2008, 05:17 PM	#7
TheRealBob Expert Member Member since:Dec 2007 Blu-ray reviews:1	I'm pro-Blu and all, but if the person legitimately invented and patented technology that is being used by others, then she's entitled to royalties from it. I think some people are confusing "I don't want this to be true" with "I've looked at the facts and don't find this to be true". For the record, I have not researched this at all and have no idea if she has a legitimate case or not. If she does, she deserves the royalties to which she's legally entitled. If she doesn't, then she deserves nothing.

03-21-2008, 05:25 PM	#8
theknub Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2006	from what i understand, her "groundbreaking" research was done in the 80's and early 90's. my original thought was that wouldn't this have applied more to CD and DVD than BD? how would she have been so far ahead of the curve on this?

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