Hulu Sued for Patent Infringement

WILMINGTON: The digital entertainment products provider Rovi has filed a lawsuit against Hulu alleging infringement of patents for interactive TV functions, seeking unspecified damages.

Rovi, formerly known as Gemstar-TV Guide International, is accusing Hulu of using protected technology for its electronic programming guides. "Hulu’s infringement presents significant and ongoing damages to Rovi’s business," the company said in the filing to the federal court in Wilmington, Delaware. Rovi said in the lawsuit it initiated discussions with Hulu regarding the patents in 2008 but has been unable to sign Hulu to a patent license. Rovi licenses its patents to Apple, Microsoft, Comcast and DIRECTV.

Rovi has sued other companies over its patents in the past. Rovi sued Toshiba over three program guide patents late last year. Earlier this year, Toshiba agreed to a license, and signed up to use Rovi’s TotalGuide interactive programming guide in its televisions. In January, Rovi sued Amazon and its IMDb property regarding five program guide patents.