ITC Begins Section 337 Investigation on Streaming Devices
The International Trade Commission started an investigation on imported set-top boxes and streaming devices for receiving television services (ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-1315), it said. Broadband iTV asked the ITC to issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders against named respondents Comcast, NBCUniversal Media, Charter Communications, Spectrum Management Holding Company, Altice USA, CSC Holdings and Cablevision Systems for improperly importing and selling devices that infringe on BBiTV's patents.
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The announcement follows an April 22 complaint (see 2204280010) by BBiTV that alleges that the named respondents are infringing on four patents related to video on-demand (VOD) services. The patents cover technological improvements to VOD and electronic program guide technologies, and allow video providers to upload VOD content and metadata to content management systems over the internet, where it is used to generate content menus and program guides based on individual viewer preferences through multiple devices with minimal navigation.