Gemstar sues Virgin Media over EPG patents

Gemstar-TV Guide has filed proceedings against Virgin Media in the High Court, alleging that the cable operator has infringed three of its European patents.

The company, which licenses electronic programme guide technologies to cable operators around the world, including in the US where they are more commonly known as interactive programme guides or IPGs, said today that Virgin had infringed patents pertaining to "techniques for providing certain IPGs and for handling recordings from IPGs".

"We have worked diligently to license Virgin Media for their distribution of various set-top boxes that contain IPGs covered by our patents, but negotiations did not lead to a resolution," said Samir Armaly, executive vice president for intellectual property and licensing at Gemstar-TV Guide. "The substantial value of our European patent portfolio has been recognised by leading service providers as well as leading consumer electronics manufacturers in the UK and throughout Europe. While we would have preferred to reach a commercial solution with Virgin Media, we ultimately have a responsibility to our shareholders, licensees, and other stakeholders to protect the value of our intellectual property."

Gemstar-TV Guide is currently 41% owned by News Corp but is in the process of being sold to Macrovision.

In response to Gemstar's announcement, a Virgin Media spokesperson said: "We're confident the courts will see Gemstar's action for what it is: a piece of flagrant opportunism. We have been advised by our external counsel that the case is without merit and we will defend it vigorously."