Sony Seeks Import Ban at ITC on Patent Grounds Against Arris, Pace Set-Tops

Sony is seeking a ban on imports of Arris digital cable and satellite set-top boxes and gateway products, it said in a Section 337 complaint March 10 at the International Trade Commission. Arris and its subsidiary Pace allegedly import and sell digital cable and satellite set-tops and gateway products that infringe Sony patents. Named in the complaint are Arris and Pace digital cable set-tops supplied to Comcast for Comcast’s Xfinity service, plus Arris and Pace digital satellite set-tops supplied to AT&T's DirecTV for DirecTV’s Genie brand. Arris media gateway products and telephony gateway products also are included. Sony asked the ITC to issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders banning import and sale of infringing products by Arris and Pace. The ITC seeks comment by March 27, it said in Friday's Federal Register. The agency recently began an investigation of Arris set-tops allegedly infringing Kudelski patents and imported for use with Xfinity's X1 service (see 1703070039). Arris again declined to comment Friday.