ITC Seeks Comment on Another Rovi Complaint on Comcast X1 Set-Tops

The International Trade Commission seeks comment by May 10 on a Rovi complaint seeking a ban on import of Comcast X1 digital video receivers based on infringement of a group of Rovi’s patents, said Thursday's Federal Register. The April 27 Tariff Act Section 337 complaint is the third Rovi has filed against Comcast’s X1 set-top boxes, with one having resulted in an exclusion order and another forming the basis for an ongoing Section 337 investigation. Rovi seeks a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders banning import and sale of set-top boxes that infringe this third set of patents. “Rovi launched this campaign in April 2016 by asserting infringement of 15 patents -- 14 of which have been held to be invalid and/or not infringed by Comcast, or have been withdrawn by Rovi,” said a Comcast statement Thursday. “We will continue to defend ourselves against allegations we determine to be meritless.”