Posted by Aldav on April 20, 2009 at 15:59:44:
Aldav Sues CC, CBS, Cumulus, Others Over Net Technology
Lawsuit Over Streaming Technology
According to LAW360, the patent licensing company ALDAV is suing CLEAR CHANNEL, CBS RADIO, CUMULUS MEDIA, CITADEL BROADCASTING, ENTERCOM, SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, COX RADIO, UNIVISION, GAP BROADCASTING, GAP BROADCASTING II, RADIO ONE, and the ALOHA STATION TRUST in U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS for allegedly infringing a patent covering the technology that allows radio stations to replace local content with information for wider audiences when broadcasting over the Internet.
LAW360 reports that the patent, issued in JUNE 2003, to DAVID D. MINTER and ALBERT S. BALDOCCHI, covers "the replacement of the portion of the content in a radio station broadcast that is distributed over the Internet that is local in nature or otherwise unsuitable for the Internet audience with content that is relevant to the broader audience."
This technology is a necessary step for stations that stream their signals on their sites as AFTRA fees for production and voicing over the Internet remain unsettled. This suit could force a quick agreement on both the technology and the production/talent fees.