Comcast sued for infringing language-selection technology
Telecommunications and entertainment company Comcast has been hit with a patent infringement claim over technology relating to selecting the language of video.
The claim was filed by Hertl Media at the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas on Friday, June 22.
According to Hertl Media, Comcast has infringed its “Multi-language buffering during media playback” invention (US patent number 9,324,365).
The patent relates to a method of allowing a viewer to select the language and subtitle language of a video or TV programme.
Hertl Media alleged that Comcast is selling a product for processing a data stream that allegedly infringes at least 11 of the patent claims in question.
The lawsuit said that Comcast’s product infringes the patent by providing “a streaming media, video-on-demand and/or digital TV service which streams media content on users’ computers, TVs, video players and/or set-top boxes”.
Hertl Media took issue with the product’s ‘multi-language’ support feature that allows users to switch between different audio and subtitle languages.
In addition, Hertl Media took issue with the product’s ability to provide a queuing buffer for when a video features different languages. This allows the user to change languages while the video is playing.
According to Hertl Media, Comcast’s allegedly infringing activity is “causing irreparable harm and monetary damage” and will continue to do so unless the court intervenes.
Hertl Media is asking the court to enjoin Comcast from infringing the patent, and is seeking damages.
Comcast is no stranger to patent infringement claims.
In March, the US International Trade Commission said it was investigating Comcast for patent infringement relating to digital video receivers and related hardware and software, following a complaint by TiVo.
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