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This must be lawsuit week…

In a bold move, DVDPlay filed a lawsuit today against Redbox and Coinstar (separately) for patent infringement.

I dug into this a bit, and found that DVDPlay filed for this patent on May 25, 2000, and it was just issued today (Oct 28, 2008). So, it has been over 8 years since the patent application was filed.

In addition, I know that Redbox got its start by using (via lease?) DVDPlay-made machines before they started having their own manufactured in 2004.

So, the question is, does DVDPlay have a chance at winning a case like this when they previously worked with Redbox voluntarily?

It seems to me that DVDPlay is grasping at anything it can to get additional money for their currently failing operation. With Redbox and Coinstar leading the pack, perhaps DVDPlay sees them as a target with deep pockets.

Also, how will this patent and these cases affect Blockbuster’s plans?

I would love to hear any thoughts you may have on this, so please comment below. If you are a lawyer (or play one on TV), please let us know what you think about DVDPlay’s chances here, as well as their possible motivations.

You can view the patent here, as well as more info on the court filing here. I will post more info as soon as it becomes available.

12 Responses to “DVDPlay sues Redbox, Coinstar for patent infringement”

  1. Visitor [Join Now]
    will [visitor]

    That DVDPlay did business with Redbox voluntarily when the latter was getting started has no bearing on the validity of the case. It all comes down to whether the Redbox kiosk design violates DVDPlay’s patent and how broadly that patent is interpreted by the judge at trial. The most likely outcome is that Redbox will reach an out-of-court settlement with DVDPlay to license its patent, and that pact would likely form the basis of similar agreements with the other players.

  2. Visitor [Join Now]
    steve [visitor]

    Let me ask if anyone knows, are the sueing on the kiosks machines themselves, or for the prices are the same in combination w/machines. Will you remain the same if you charge 99.cents or 1.01? Is their really a patent on these machines? Is their a patent on Gas pumps?

  3. Visitor [Join Now]
    refsan [visitor]

    We are living in a sue-happy country………people will try to get money for nuthin’.

  4. Member [Join Now]
    SnoopySteve [snoopysteve]

    Here you can use our machines for a fee! its cool! hey we patented the machines now so we are sueing you for your use that you have been paying for over the last few years, hope thats ok?!?!?
    Thats just rediculous!

  5. Visitor [Join Now]
    RandyJ [visitor]

    It? gone awful quiet round here.
    What? the latest on this? Hope alls well on the Red side ;)