ITC Votes to Begin Patent Investigation Against Vizio/Haier TVs, Blu-Ray Players w/Guide & Parental Controls
The International Trade Commission has voted to institute a patent investigation of certain products containing interactive program guide and parental controls technology (337-TA-820). The products at issue in this investigation are devices that incorporate interactive program guide and parental controls technology, such as televisions and Blu-Ray players.
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The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Rovi Corporation; Rovi Guides, Inc. (f/k/a Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc.); United Video Properties, Inc.; and Gemstar Development Corporation, all of Santa Clara, CA, and Index Systems, Inc., of the British Virgin Islands on November 15, 2011. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain products containing interactive program guide and parental controls technology that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the ITC issue an exclusion order and a cease and desist order.
The ITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
- Vizio, Inc., of Irvine, CA;
- Haier Group Corp. of China; and
- Haier American Trading, LLC, of New York, NY.
(ITC posted 12/16/11, official Federal Register notice (FR 12/21/11) available here.)