ITC Votes to Institute Patent Case Against Sharp on Items with Program Guide/Parental Controls

The International Trade Commission has voted to institute a section 337 patent-based investigation on certain products containing interactive program guide and parental controls technology (337-TA-801). The products at issue in this investigation include LCD televisions and Blu-Ray players containing IPG technology that enables the products to provide television program information and/or video-on-demand functionality, as well as parental control technology. The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Rovi Corporation; Rovi Guides, Inc. (f/k/a Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc.); United Video Properties, Inc.; and Gemstar Development Corporation, all of Santa Clara, CA. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the U.S. and sale of these products. Sharp Corporation of Japan; Sharp Electronics Corporation of Mahwah, NJ; and Sharp Electronics Manufacturing Company of America, Inc., of Mahwah, NJ. are listed by the ITC as respondents.