Rovi Solutions Corporation & Anor v Virgin Media Ltd & Ors

Rovi Solutions Corporation & Anor v Virgin Media Ltd & Ors

All relevant patent claims are invalid for obviousness over prior art, particularly Florin, as the skilled team would obviously implement separate identification and information signals, including computer program data, and program initiation data. Apparatus claims are not anticipated merely by hardware suitability without relevant programming. No claim survives; action dismissed and counterclaim for revocation succeeds.

Parties
Claimant: Rovi Solutions Corporation; Claimant: United Video Properties, Inc.; Defendant: Virgin Media Limited; Defendant: Virgin Media Payments Limited; Defendant: TiVo Inc.
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
15 May 2014
Procedural Posture
Patent Action / Final Judgment
Outcome
action dismissed; counterclaim for revocation succeeds
Legal Topics
Patent Validity, Obviousness, Anticipation, Infringement, Construction of Claims
Intellectual Property Patent Law Patent Validity Obviousness Anticipation Infringement Construction of Claims

Case Brief

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Parties

Rovi Solutions Corporation

Claimant

United Video Properties, Inc.

Claimant

Virgin Media Limited

Defendant

Virgin Media Payments Limited

Defendant

TiVo Inc.

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Patent Action / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the relevant patent claims are valid or invalid for anticipation or obviousness over prior art
  2. 2 Proper construction of claim terms including 'program initiation data' and 'computer program data'
  3. 3 Whether the apparatus claims are anticipated by prior art as 'suitable for' the claimed functions

Ratio Decidendi

All relevant patent claims are invalid for obviousness over prior art, particularly Florin, as the skilled team would obviously implement separate identification and information signals, including computer program data, and program initiation data. Apparatus claims are not anticipated merely by hardware suitability without relevant programming. No claim survives; action dismissed and counterclaim for revocation succeeds.

Court Disposition

action dismissed; counterclaim for revocation succeeds

Orders

  • All relevant patent claims revoked
  • Action dismissed