Rovi announced that it has sued Comcast for patent infringement after numerous attempts at negotiation. “For over a decade, Comcast built its business using Rovi’s patented technology, which it licensed for a fixed term. Comcast’s decision to continue using Rovi’s pioneering technology as an unlicensed infringer is simply intolerable,” said Rovi CEO Tom Carson. He added that the company took this action to protect its patent portfolio, stakeholders and licensees.
Rovi’s filing asserts infringement by Comcast, together with its set-top box suppliers, of fourteen US patents that together deliver the most important features to Comcast customers. These include the way that Comcast implements remote recording, AnyRoom DVR and X1 search. Rovi seeks both an injunction barring continued infringement and damages to compensate it for the harm inflicted.
