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Diode professor takes on 34 electronics giants in patent spat

21 Mar 2008 | 10:40 GMT

By Paul Hales

Sony's Blu-ray is top of her list

A PATENT COMPLAINT filed by Columbia University Professor Emeritus, Gertrude Neumark Rothschild, has prompted a U.S. International Trade Commission investigation into 34 companies world wide.

The patents relate to short-wavelength light-emitting diodes and laser diodes which are used in such devices as high-definition DVD players as well as dozens of other electronic products.

The companies accused of infringing the patents include Sony, Nokia, LG, Sharp, Motorola, Matsushita and Samsung. Toshiba is on the list too but we can't tell if this is for its HD-DVD players or something else

Rothschild filed the patent in February. She is seeking to block imports of a wide range of products into the United States. Spookily, only Motorola of the alleged infringers happens to be US based.

The ITC's announcement is here. µ

© 2007 Incisive Media Investments Ltd. 2007

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