Patent suit filed against Sony for Blu-ray

Target Technology claims infringement for technology used in disc production

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 5/29/2007

MAY 29 | Irvine, Calif.-based Target Technology is accusing several Sony Corp. divisions for infringing upon a patent used in the production of Blu-ray Disc.

In a May 2 filing in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Target alleges that Sony DADC, Sony Computer Entertainment America and Sony Pictures Entertainment specifically infringe upon its U.S. Patent No. 7,018,696, which Target says it was legally issued on March 28, 2006. Target specializes in developing alloys for optical disc applications.

“Sony DADC has been and is continuing to infringe upon the ‘696 patent by making, selling and using products that are offered under the mark Blu-ray Disc, which embody the patented invention, and will continue to do so unless enjoined by this Court,” states the filing.

Additionally, Target cites Sony Computer and Sony Pictures for both infringing upon ‘696 when it sold Blu-ray discs to customers in the U.S., including those that reside within Indiana Southern District jurisdiction. Sony DADC’s largest North American facility is located in Terra Haute, Ind.

All divisions are blamed for knowingly infringing upon the Target patent since its March issue date.

This suit has not yet been served to the defendants, according to one of the plaintiff’s attorneys, Kurt N. Jones. He declined to specify when that next step will be taken.

Jones also would not elaborate on which parts of the Blu-ray technology the Target patent covers.

Also, the suit does not list the amount of the award Target is seeking. The court first must verify Target’s claims to the patent before the technology company can proceed with the damages phase of the case.

A spokeswoman for Sony DADC did not respond for comment by deadline.