Rovi sues Amazon and IMDb for allegedly copying TV guides
updated 05:55 am EST, Fri January 14, 2011
Rovi makes play for royalties it claims are owing
Rovi Corp. is suing Amazon and its subsidiary IMDb. Rovi, formally known as Macrovision, acquired Gemstar-TV guide in 2008 and in doing so picked up a number of patents pertaining to delivering TV Guides online. Rovi’s suit, filed in Delaware, claims that IMDb’s TV guides infringe five of its patents. Rovi already licenses its TV Guides to several major media stakeholders including Apple, Cisco, Comcast, DirecTV, Microsoft, Samsung, Sony, Time Warner, Verizon and Yahoo.
The suit is the result of failed discussions between Rovi and Amazon in 2009 with both parties unable to agree to terms. [via paidContent.org]
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Huh?
Rovi already licenses its TV Guides to several major media stakeholders including Apple, Cisco, Comcast, DirecTV, Microsoft, Samsung, Sony, Time Warner, Verizon and Yahoo.
What does Apple need with a TV Guide?
And the lawsuit is over patents, not them actually stealing TV Guides, as the title implies.