Echostar wins appeal: DISH Network does not infringe patent

[Scott Greczkowski]

Irdeto Access v. Echostar (Fed. Cir. 2004).

Irdeto's patent is directed to a system for controlling the broadcast of digital information signals by using three types of complementary encryption and decryption keys -- "service keys," "group keys," and "box keys." (U.S. Patent No. 4,531,020). Irdeto sued Echostar, arguing that Echostar's DISH Network infringed the patent. On summary judgment, the district court granted summary judgment to Echostar, finding that Echostar's product did not infringe. The Appeal revolved around the definition of the term "group."

Read the rest and see the graphics at http://patentlaw.typepad.com/patent/2004/09/echostar_wins_a.html

 

[MikeD-C05]

Okay what does that mean for us the consumer? Do we get namebased recording or is this just good news for a change for Dish? I am totally confused .

 

[SimpleSimon]

This lawsuit has nothing to do with NBR - that suit was settled some time ago - which is what allowed E* to start working on NBR.

 

[RobbinM]

Are there some posts someplace that detail the resolution about NBR? I never saw that it had been resolved and I am interested in the detail!

 

[SimpleSimon]

Dunno offhand. Search forums for Gemstar.

Might be over at DBStalk.com, too.

 

[Greg Bimson]

Gemstar has nothing to do with NBR. That's Replay.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Well, Greg. Do the search.

It appears that the Gemstar settlement has given E* the chance to use that technology in their own stuff.