US gov't investigating PS3's Blu-ray

M

MegaDrive20XX

Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6188182.html

In February, HD DVD creator Toshiba officially called an armistice in the high-definition video playback wars, saying it would cease production of its format standard and let it fade into obscurity alongside Sony's Betamax. While Toshiba's pullout defaulted the victory in the HD disc war to the Sony spearheaded Blu-ray Disc Association, skirmishes surrounding the format linger on.

The US International Trade Commission said this week that it will be launching a patent infringement investigation of "certain short-wavelength light emitting diodes, laser diodes, and products containing same." Parties named in the investigation include Blu-ray creator Sony, along with 30 other top electronics manufactures, including Nokia, Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba, Pioneer, and Hitachi.

The investigation stems from a complaint filed by Gertrude Neumark Rothschild on February 20. Rothschild claims diodes currently imported for use in "hand-held mobile devices, instrument panels, billboards, traffic lights, HD DVD players (e.g., Blu-ray Disc players), and data storage devices" infringe upon one of her patents, and thus are in violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. As such, Rothschild is requesting that the US trade body issue exclusion and cease and desist orders to all companies named in the investigation.

Sony had not responded to requests for comment on the investigation as of press time.

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Alright, Sony is definitely starting to freak me out now...
 
Yeah, I heard about this actually, and it seems that that woman might actually have a case here, if she really filed a patent for "HD-DVD players". Toshiba is probably getting sued for that one too.

Hinesmdc said:
HDDVD FTW!
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Why the loyalty to a disc format? XD
 
yeah... I am glad that someone might be getting the recognition they deserve. My grandpa had one of his patents stolen... and never got credit for it.

SO... according to this, Blu-Ray and HD DVD could be in trouble.

BV :hat
 
Hinesmdc said:
Just happy to hear Sony getting in trouble. :lol
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read carefully HD-DVD players are also in trouble, and weren't you happy because the 360 might get blu-ray?
 
Zidart said:
read carefully HD-DVD players are also in trouble, and weren't you happy because the 360 might get blu-ray?
Click to expand...

Hines hates everything. Haven't you heard?

This is a strange turn of events. We'll have to see how this one pans out.
 
So, what will happen to the PS3 if she wins? I mean, everything is played on a Blu-Ray disc.
 
Homicidal Cherry53 said:
Sony will have to pay her a royalty to use Blu-ray.
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Ouch, potentially making the time to a price cut even longer.
 
fhqwhgads said:
Ouch, potentially making the time to a price cut even longer.
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It would likely be a really small amount of money for a corporation like Sony. It's not like you have to pay billions in royalties, just to use a patented invention.
 
Sony will probably offer a settlement sum and threaten to bury the case in continuances until doomsday, thereby bankrupting the patent-holder.

But seriously, this sucks. Nobody can make anything anymore without someone coming out of the woodworks with a patent and claims to all profits. I kind of hope Sony comes out on top for technology's sake.
 
Dart said:
But seriously, this sucks. Nobody can make anything anymore without someone coming out of the woodworks with a patent and claims to all profits. I kind of hope Sony comes out on top for technology's sake.
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Except... what if her design for both was actually ripped off?


†B†V† :hat
 
Hinesmdc said:
Strubes sens of humor is nonexistent, haven't you heard?
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:lol

Dart said:
Sony will probably offer a settlement sum and threaten to bury the case in continuances until doomsday, thereby bankrupting the patent-holder.

But seriously, this sucks. Nobody can make anything anymore without someone coming out of the woodworks with a patent and claims to all profits. I kind of hope Sony comes out on top for technology's sake.
Click to expand...

I agree. It's hard to think up anything this day that hasn't already been thought of.
 
Bluevoodu said:
Except... what if her design for both was actually ripped off?


†B†V† :hat
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Well, unfortunately that's the way the business world rolls. I personally hate to see someone get completely cheated out of what is rightfully theirs, but I also find it disgusting to see someone come out of the woodworks and sue everyone who has an idea that "kind of" looks like theirs.
 
Yeah, I have to agree with Dart (big surprise). With that many big corporations being taken to court they might come up with a nice sum that could push this sue-y sally into obscurity. And if she doesn't accept they can keep her tied up in court for such a long time it wouldn't be worth it for her in the end.

Unfortunately, even if she is in the right, she can't afford justice.
 
Hinesmdc said:
Just happy to hear Sony getting in trouble. :lol
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Well he is just happy cause this might just slow the roll on Sony taking over the game market like it will within the next year and a half AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I own a 360 and play it alot also and wont this lawsuit effect the 360 HD Player? Her claims on the diodes could even go as far as DVD formats in general which it won't actually effect us any since like they all said before she will either settle out of court or she will be tied up the entire time she is trying to sue. Good post though man
 
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