MONTREAL – Stingray took another step forward in its attempts to discredit allegations of patent infringement made by U.S. TV music distributor Music Choice.
Stingray said Monday that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted its requests and initiated inter partes review (IPR) proceedings against U.S. Patent Nos. 8,769,602, 9,357,245, 7,320,025 and 9,351,045 owned by Music Choice. A ruling on Stingray's request for an IPR in respect of Patent No. 9,414,121 is anticipated next month.
Stingray president and CEO Eric Boyko called the IPR proceedings “significant decisions in favour of Stingray.”
“While we have an abiding appreciation for the patent process in the U.S., we believe that the applicable claims of these patents are invalid for failing to be novel and/or for being obvious”, Boyko added. “We are pleased that the PTAB, by its action to institute the formal review process, agrees that there is reason to doubt the validity of the applicable claims. While more remains to be done, this is a significant step toward invalidating the applicable claims of the Music Choice patents."
Music Choice filed a patent infringement complaint in June 2016 alleging that Stingray’s digital music service infringes four of its patents, including patents that cover Music Choice’s onscreen technology for music/song-related visuals and facts.
