Virgin Media has won a final patent suit against Rovi, the technology company and patent holder has lost or withdrawn a total of 11 complaints against the cablenet and its predecessors.
Patent Number 11 is entitled “Interactive special events video signal navigation system.” It covers the display of a pay-per-view event to the viewer. Rovi had brought the case to the High Court in London, filing the claim against Virgin and its technology supplier TiVo.
In May 2014, the High Court judge, Mr Justice Mann, found Rovi’s claims to be invalid and ordered that the patent should be revoked. Rovi appealed the High Court’s decision.
The Court of Appeal has now upheld the High Court’s decision, rejected Rovi’s appeal in its entirety and again ordered Rovi to reimburse Virgin Media’s legal costs. The patent will now be revoked.
Brigitte Trafford, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Virgin Media, said: “Virgin Media’s staunch defence of Rovi’s meritless patent claims has been vindicated in every single case heard by the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Each and every Court decision has confirmed that our position regarding Rovi patents has been justified.”
Rovi was unavailable for comment, but has previously disputed the number of victories claimed by Virgin Media.
