USITC to investigate allegations against Comcast
The US International Trade Commission (USITC) has instituted an investigation in to the sale of digital video receivers, broadband gateways and other hardware and software products by Comcast.
A notice of investigation was announced by the USITC on Thursday, May 23, after a complaint was filed by Rovi Corporation, a subsidiary of technology company TiVo, on April 26.
Rovi’s complaint alleged that Comcast violated US law by the importation and sale in the US of the technology equipment which infringed six of its US patents (US numbers: 8,001,564; 7,779,445; 7,386,871; 8,156,528; 7,301,900; and 7,200,855).
In its complaint, Rovi requested that the USITC prohibit the sale of the goods in the US and issue cease and desist orders.
The USITC said that it has “not yet made any decision on the merits of the case” and an investigation is underway.
It said it will set a target date of completing the investigation within 45 days.
The announcement comes shortly after Rovi filed a patent infringement suit against Comcast in April this year.
In a complaint filed at the US District Court for the Central District of California, Rovi alleged Comcast’s Xfinity 1 platform, which combines TV and internet access on multiple devices, infringes its patents.
As reported by WIPR, Rovi alleged that Comcast had previously paid more than $250 million for a fixed-term licence to its patent portfolio, which expired in 2016.
Rovi said it offered to renew the licence but Comcast rejected its offer.
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