Blu-Ray Gets Nailed to the Cross Due to Patent Infringements

Blu-Ray, the next king in the high-definition industry might get some serious issues because of Sony's alleged patent infringement related to Blu-ray disc players and other products. According to the U.S. International Trade Commission, the patent infringement may lead to blocks against importing Blu-ray technology, cellphones as well as other storage media.

According to the Commission, the problem lies in a complaint filled by patent holder and Columbia University Professor Emeritus Gertrude Rothschild, who claims that miscellaneous pieces of imported devices built around short-wave lasers and LEDs infringe upon her technology patents registered with the US Federal Trade Commission. She demanded the Federal Trade Commission to block into the United States the imports of the products infringing her short-wave patents.

According to Albert Jacobs, her lawyer, Rothschild made a "seminal breakthrough" in the production of blue, ultraviolet and white light, Blue and ultraviolet LEDs use less energy than red LEDs and are widely used in computers, traffic lights, instrument panels, as well as for backlighting the mobile-phone screens, among others.

The allegedly infringing products range from handheld mobile devices to traffic lights and high-definition DVD players. The companies that are mostly affected by professor's allegations are producing Blu-ray optical storage drives: Sony, LG, Pioneer, Samsung and Sharp. Toshiba is also one of the short-wave lasers and LED abusers, but since it bailed out from the high-definition format market, the patent infringement allegations won't affect its shipping schedule.

However, there are more companies that could suffer from import restrictions if the Federal Trade Commission finds in professor's favor. The upcoming lawsuit will also affect cellphone manufacturers such as Motorola, Nokia, Sony-Ericsson and LG.

The International Trade Commission, however will investigate Rothschild's complaint within the next 45 days, and if it rules in favor of the professor, it will ban the infringing devices within 60 days of a ruling.

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