What do Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, the Pussycat Dolls and the Los Angeles Lakers all have in common?
They all use giant video screens during their performances and have recently been named in a patent infringement case for doing so.
Large Audience Display filed the patent infringement suit Nov. 11 in the the Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas, alleging the well known group of entertainers is infringing U.S. patent No. 6,669,346 B2.
According to the suit, Mr. Timberlake has put on concerts "using a large-audience display screen that infringes upon certain claims in the Patent."
"This infringing activity occurred, without limitation, during the 'FutureSex/LoveShow Tour' which was performed in the U.S. ... and tickets to certain of these performances were intentionally advertised and sold to concert attendees residing in the Eastern District of Texas, and which was also intentionally videorecorded and then presented for broadcast via HBO and sale via DVD and other media."
Allegedly, the Lakers are also guilty of putting on "sporting events using a large-audience display screen."
Concerts performed by Spears and the Pussy Cat Dolls also allegedly use the plaintiff's patented large-audience display screen.
"Defendants have put on and/or presented and continue to put on and/or present their infringing performances or sporting events in a wide range of locations throughout the United States and the world, including Texas and Western Louisiana," the suit states. "The intentionally infringing activities of Defendants are and have been without authorization from Plaintiff."
The plaintiff is suing for reasonable royalties and exemplary damages.
"Plaintiff has suffered, is suffering, and will continue to suffer irreparable harm and injury as a result of Defendants' aforesaid unlawful and intentional activities. Defendants will, unless restrained and enjoined, continue to act in the unlawful manner complained of herein, all to Plaintiff's irreparable damage," the suit states.
The company is represented by attorney Michael G. Burk.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge T. John Ward and referred to Magistrate Judge Charles Everingham for pretrial proceedings.
Case No. 2:09-cv-00356-TJW-CE