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Sony Faces Blu-ray Disc Lawsuit

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

May 25, 2007, 10:25 AM

Sony is facing another patent infringement suit, this time involving its Blu-ray high definition disc technology.

According to court documents, the electronics maker was sued earlier this month by Target Technology, saying Blu-ray infringes on patents held on reflective-layer materials on optical discs. The patent was filed in April 2004 and granted in March 2006.

These materials apparently help discs to corrode far less easier than standard discs. It uses silver-based alloys, which are much less expensive that gold-based ones, but offer the same protections.

It is not exactly clear whether Target Technology is accusing the current manufacturing practice violates its patents, or certain types of discs. Regardless, the company is seeking a permanent injunction and significant damages.

Separate suits have been filed against manufacturer Williams Advanced Materials, who is being accused of violating another set of alloy patents held by the company.

Target claims that its founder Han Nee was the developer of the silver alloy material used in today's optical disc. Neither Sony nor Target were available for comment as of press time.

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By fahlrichs

edited May 30, 2007 - 4:59 PM

Han Nee claims to have invented silver-based alloys with good corosion resistance to be used as semi reflective layers in all kinds of optical media formats including Blu-Ray ! To help him out of his dream I can tell you that the end of his company is there since we invented a new material ( C-SMART )that is much cheaper to manufacture and has the same so not a better quality then the alloys Han Nee has patented. This new material invented by us ( www.c-corb.com ) will be the future material used in all optical media formats in the year 2008 ! Already now major replicators ( not Sony ) are using our material !

Score: 0

By Hollywood__

posted May 27, 2007 - 2:10 AM

*grins*

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By Second Shadow

posted May 29, 2007 - 12:59 AM

Hey, Hollywood! You still owe me my brand-new XA1 .... Remember?
I'm already stocking some HD-DVDs to watch :D

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted May 26, 2007 - 11:12 AM

Sony may have more than its share of problems, and more than enough reasons for me to despise them--but that doesn't justify BS lawsuits against them.

Alloy patents, eh? Along with the other 17 or so companies in 2004 that APPLIED for this patent and didn't get it? Should Sony keep track of every company applying for a patent? Yes? If so, one of you tell me how many patents are in progress over violet lasers, how many are in place over glass media recording, and how many companies applied for them in what years and how many of them were rejected?

Not so easy. In fact, damn near impossible. Sony's Blu-Ray idea came around way before 2006, and in 2004 nobody gave a rat's behind about no-name companies pretending to know something about technology trying to patent technology they will never ever use. Especially because it wasn't until recently that patents were granted to these low-life a****** companies anyway. Sony couldn't have even conceived of them getting the patent back in 2004 because the patent guys had half a brain back then.

Yup, I'm back with a vengeance...hehehe :)

Score: 0

By rickedge

posted May 29, 2007 - 10:10 AM

bourgeoisdude,

You speak with little knowledge. It IS possible that other companies develop technology other than the mighty mights.

Do some research before making such a moronic statement next time.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

edited May 29, 2007 - 12:32 PM

I never said they couldn't. My point is the timing--patented March 2006, after Blu-Ray technology was already in prototype.Sure they applied in April 2004, but since sony didn't have any way of knowing that, who gives a rat's behind? If Han Nee cared about his invention, he'd of ensured it was patented in less than two years, no? How the hell can it take two years to patent that anyway?

Score: 0

By kashin

edited May 26, 2007 - 9:23 PM

That's all fine and dandy, but the article says:

"Target claims that its founder Han Nee was the developer of the silver alloy material used in today's optical disc."

Now I don't pretend to know the details, but if these guys actually DEVELOPED it, meaning they spent a considerable amount on R&D, shouldn't they be able to claim ownership of the technology? Again, this case doesn't sound like the usual BS IP patent suit where someone came up with an idea, patented it and then sat on it waiting to sue someone. Like I said, I don't know the details, but if these guys can prove they developed the technology BEFORE Sony came up with the same idea, they may have a case.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

edited May 29, 2007 - 12:28 PM

Actually, having taken 2 years to patent their own work, I doubt they truley developed it. If you developed something and then took two years to patent it, that would be strange, no:

"The patent was filed in April 2004 and granted in March 2006."

They waited until Sony had Blu-Ray developed to finish the patent--strange coincidence, wouldn't you say? My guess is it was only done for that reason, or at least finished at that time for that reason. This is why it is BS--they may have spent the money on the development, but it wasn't important enough to patent until AFTER Sony had blu-ray underway. How could Sony know? They USED the technology before Han Nee had it patented, whether he invented it first or not IMO is irrelevant.

Score: 0

By siryak

posted May 26, 2007 - 10:40 PM

Yep. It would be like Sony using the Xbox 360s controller design on the PS3. Like kashin said this is something physical that they spent good money to develop, not some BS software patent that is some off the wall thing someone decided to patent.

Score: 0

By CarLox

posted May 25, 2007 - 10:10 PM

HA HA!!! PUNKS

Score: 0

By foxfyre

edited May 25, 2007 - 8:21 PM

Hmmmm.....Considering the age of the Blu-Ray concept and optical disk technology in general, one wonders just what a patent filed in 2004 for reflective layers has to do with only Sony...

Score: 0

By kashin

posted May 26, 2007 - 9:25 PM

It is possible only Sony and not the other BD manufacturers are using this specific technology to improve their Blu-Ray discs. Just a guess.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted May 29, 2007 - 12:34 PM

The case goes to Han Nee to prove that Sony used his process back in 2004 to make Blu-Ray though. If independantly, too bad, because Blu-Ray itself had patents on its development well before March of 2006.

Score: 0

By terminalx

edited May 25, 2007 - 12:37 PM

Score: 0

By kholdstare

posted May 25, 2007 - 10:46 AM

oh god another unknown company suing a big company. this really needs to stop. Even if it is Sony getting sued this time

Score: 0

By uberfly

posted May 26, 2007 - 1:41 AM

I believe in ppl being able to defend their valid patents, but you're right. Man this drags down progress if every third step needs to be defended in court. I imagine the complexities and speed at which R&D happens in this day-and-age will lead to more and more of these stories.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 25, 2007 - 11:20 AM

There's a difference this time. It's not a patent troll.

Target claims that its founder Han Nee was the developer of the silver alloy material used in today's optical disc.

These guys actually *did* something.

Score: 0

By drumcat

posted May 25, 2007 - 12:14 PM

Crazy enough, this isn't a software patent. It's a physical product that can be, in theory, determined.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 25, 2007 - 1:59 PM

These guys actually *did* something.

My point exactly.

Score: 0

By SGD

posted May 25, 2007 - 11:15 AM

What if it is legit?

Score: 0

By Benjamin Linus

posted May 25, 2007 - 11:21 AM

Extemely unlikely. There are 100's of lawsuits like this every day, occasionally one will succeed, which is why you get chancers like this trying it on..

It only makes news because it's Sony and "Everyone Hates Sony"(tm)

Score: 0

By kashin

posted May 25, 2007 - 2:46 PM

"It only makes news because it's Sony and "Everyone Hates Sony"(tm)"

No, it made news because it's a big company being sued. Same as if it were Samsung, Intel, Microsoft, etc. I wish you would stop trolling and crying about negative Sony news. It's just like PC_Tool said, this is not like those frivolous IP patent suits we keep seeing. These guys actually claim to have developed a physical product which Sony plagiarized. It's not like those IP suits where someone patented a (vague) idea and sat on it, hoping someone will come along and they can sue them. If this suits actually holds, it's very bad news for Sony and the Blu-Ray camp.

Score: 0

By siryak

posted May 25, 2007 - 1:27 PM

"It only makes news because it's Sony and "Everyone Hates Sony"(tm)"

You got the last part right anyway. Glad you finally came to this realization Ben.

Score: 0

By Joey Deacon

posted May 25, 2007 - 3:07 PM

Indeed, there is no substance to anything said here, it could be the best product on the planet, but because it's Sony, it sucks..

Glad you have admitted this...

Score: 0

By siryak

posted May 26, 2007 - 10:43 PM

"because it's Sony, it sucks.."

This seems to be the trend anyway.

I like how any negative Sony news is immediately accused of Sony bashing even though there is bad news about every company including MS. Seriously you guys are pathetic. Also as you can see in the most recent Sony thread I said it was a good product. I judge by the product instead of the company unlike you.

Score: 0

By SGD

posted May 25, 2007 - 1:15 PM

You are right they are doing this only to extort money out of SOny since they would never use someone elses patent on their stuff. Oh wait, I stand corrected, didn't SOny just pay up since the people buying the new PS3 didn't like the lack of dual shock! Yes they did use a patent that did not belong to them. Before you get your boxers in bunch, at least M$ and Nintendo paid up. SOny never would have if they weren't going to need the dual shock to save the PS3 from the scrap heap. And before you flame me for hating SOny I have a PS3 and am not impressed.

Score: 0

By Joey Deacon

edited May 26, 2007 - 5:13 AM

Liar.. If you had a PS3 would WOULD be impressed. SImple as that...

I have a Xbox360, and it's the biggest pile of crap I have ever owned.. See how simple it is..

Totally off topic, I would get rid of your 360, if you care about your family...

http://www.informationwe...mp;cid=RSSfeed_IWK_News

Score: 0

By SGD

posted May 29, 2007 - 10:12 AM

I forgot this part. Yes there was a known issue with the first run of the original xbox and a possible heat problem. That was taken care of with a new power cord to replace the old version. If you mailed in the warranty card you would have been advised of the fix. That is why they make the card in the first place to notify you of any problmes. Many consumer products have had problems similar to this and made the required fixes. How long did SOny take to admit the issues with the exploding batteries in laptops. Making a post like that and not admitting that SOny has done the same but on a much larger scale is irresponsible but not surprising. The loss is tragic but as long as humans use dangerous things like gas and electricity people are going to be injuired or worse. No company is exempt from this unfortunate fact of life. Your point is pointless.

Score: 0

By SGD

posted May 29, 2007 - 9:29 AM

Wow you flame me for stating my opinion. I am not impressed so I must be a liar. You post a web page that has nothing to do with the fact that I prefer the 360. Let me get this right I should get rid of the 360 since it casued a fire. In that case I should get rid of my clothes drier, TV, and all electric in my house since it has caused fires in the past. That is a stupid point. Anything electronic can and will cause fires, simple life fact. Oh I need to sell my car to since they have been known to catch on fire.

I still find nothing appealing about the PS3. It does play movies but I stand by the fact that HD DVD plays the movies better. I prefer the black and red levels which tend to be more accurate on HD. Not to mention that my HD DVD player fully supports all HD sound formats.

Score: 0

By siryak

posted May 26, 2007 - 10:46 PM

Lol!!! Yes he is not impressed with the PS3 so he must be a liar. You are seriously delusional Joey. Lets see 360 has lots of good games, PS3 doesn't. The 360 is selling the PS3 isn't. Also the Wii is selling better than both.

Yup that really makes me want a PS3. /sarcasm off

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted May 26, 2007 - 9:26 AM

You really are a TROLL because had you actually read the article they sight the fire occurred december 2004....the xbox360 wasn't even out yet and since the lawsuit specifically sights the xbox360 its going to get thrown out. Keep digging though.

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted May 26, 2007 - 10:16 AM

He's got a habit of not researching his ridiculous claims further before posting them as facts. He still probably believes the PS3 is the absolute best DVD player on the planet, just because someone on another forum said so.

Score: 0

By SlapShot

posted May 26, 2007 - 7:17 AM

the POS3 is impressive, if by impressive you mean the biggest turd on the market, then yup impressive

""Microsoft recently learned about this tragic incident that occurred in December 2004," a Microsoft spokesman said in an e-mail. "Our sympathy is with the family. However, we are not aware of any evidence that an XBox caused the fire. Also, the complaint specifically states that an XBox 360 was involved, but this version of the product was unavailable for purchase at that time."

blame the fire on some unreleased product, sounds like a bunch of idiots in that family, sorry for their loss, but seems fishy, for all we know there was a laptop with a Sony battery next to it, and as we all know, sony never made anything that exploded, oops

Score: 0

By SGD

posted May 29, 2007 - 9:40 AM

Good point I totally forgot about the huge battery problem. Maybe the battery problem was made up since its about SOny and they only make quality. Right!

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted May 25, 2007 - 12:37 PM

Actually, no there isn't as this isnt a patent issue this is a physical product something tangiable so with proof which is a lot easier to come up with could be an issue for sony, this isnt the first time sony and I believe xbox got fined something with the controllers using a technology owned by someone else with the rights and proof.

Score: 0

By niChomplex

posted May 25, 2007 - 11:00 AM

Nah, it can stop after Sony.

Score: 0

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