Sony Sues Fujifilm for Patent Infringement, 2nd Time in Months

Sony has again sued rival Fujifilm for patent infringement over use of magnetic tape media.

In the case, filed at the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida on Friday, May 5, Sony claimed Fujifilm has infringed three of its patents: US numbers 6,674,596; 6,979,501; and 7,029,774.

The patents in question relate to Fujifilm’s branded LTO Ultrium tape products, which allow high amounts of data storage on a magnetic tape and are generally used for SD cards and memory sticks.

Sony and Fujifilm are the only suppliers to have been certified for the sale of LTO-7 compliant tape cartridges, the newest format of the tape.

Authorisation to manufacture, sell and distribute any generation of LTO tape products is dependent on acceptance of the terms and conditions of an agreement between the two Sony.

“By refusing to engage in good-faith negotiations regarding the execution of a fair and reasonable licensing agreement, Sony now seeks to stop Fujifilm’s continuing infringement of Sony’s IP rights.”

It isn’t the first time the two technology companies have clashed.

Sony is seeking a permanent injunction, damages and a jury trial.