Sony PS4s, Blu-ray Decks Violate Up to 10 Broadcom Patents, Complaint Alleges

Sony PS4s, Blu-ray players and digital TVs violate one or more among 10 Broadcom patents covering AV decoding methods and other technologies, alleged a complaint (in Pacer) against Sony that Broadcom and its Avago Technologies parent filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. Avago two years ago acquired LSI Corp., including “its substantial patent portfolio,” the complaint said. The portfolio “covers innovative technologies developed by LSI as well as cutting-edge technologies invented by its predecessor companies,” including Agere, AT&T, Bell Labs and Lucent, the complaint said. “These companies were preeminent in the semiconductor industry and at the forefront of technological innovations in this and other areas.” Avago this year acquired Broadcom, “consolidating significant technological knowledge and substantial patent portfolios under the umbrella” of a new entity, Broadcom Limited, which is responsible for enforcing those portfolios, it said. “Sony has licensed certain portions of the patent portfolios of LSI and its predecessor companies for five decades,” it said. Sony’s most recent LSI license lapsed in 2014, it said. “Despite continuing to use the various technological advancements provided by the LSI patent portfolio, Sony has failed to compensate Broadcom for the use of these technologies,” it said. Broadcom “has made a number of attempts to resolve Sony’s continued infringement amicably and has engaged in extensive licensing negotiations with Sony,” but to no avail. Sony spokesman Mack Araki, in a Tuesday email, declined comment.