Xperi's IP Unit 'Disappointed' in Canadian Court Ruling on Rovi Patents

Xperi’s Adeia intellectual property licensing brand is “disappointed” in the Federal Court of Canada’s Monday’s ruling in favor of Videotron, said Xperi, noting the company is “exploring all our options, including appealing the decision” on Videotron’s legacy illico platform. The court said each of the asserted claims of the four Rovi Guide patents involved in the case were invalid. Last year, Xperi filed a second lawsuit (see 2105240024), accusing Videotron of infringing four different patents involving its Helix platform and advanced DVR functionality, delivering video programming in multiple formats and switching between broadcast and streaming programs, Xperi said; that lawsuit is ongoing. “We will continue to pursue our rights as we seek a mutually acceptable agreement with Videotron to allow the ongoing use of our patented technology, just as we have done broadly with the other major Canadian and US Pay-TV providers,” said Adeia President Paul Davis. The patents in the illico ruling are a “very small fraction” of Adeia’s overall portfolio and about 1% of the total Canadian portfolio, Davis said. The ruling isn't expected to have an impact on 2022 guidance. On Tuesday, Pierre Karl Peladeau, CEO, of Videotron parent Quebecor, said the ruling is "an important victory for Videotron and all technology companies that grapple with organizations whose practices are akin to those of patent trolls, which create no value for society and cost millions of dollars per year." Patents should "reward innovation, not hinder it," he said. "We have shown that businesses should not give in to unjustified threats. Quebecor and Videotron will continue to vigorously defend their interests." Both companies cited confidentiality requirements in the case. Videotron said the court's decision should be released in coming days.