EchoStar Files Suit Against Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. For Antitrust Violations

8-Dec-00

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP), a leader in the direct broadcast satellite (DBS) industry, announced that it has filed a lawsuit against Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. and its subsidiaries in the Federal District of Colorado. EchoStar alleges in the lawsuit that Gemstar's licensing practices violate various federal and state antitrust laws and laws governing unfair competition. In particular, the complaint details Gemstar's illegal and monopolistic licensing practices with respect to interactive program guide (IPG) technology. EchoStar is seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief to stop Gemstar's improper activities. In addition, EchoStar filed an answer and counterclaims in a patent infringement suit filed by Gemstar in North Carolina Federal Court. In its filings, EchoStar vigorously contests Gemstar's allegations of patent infringement. EchoStar also filed counterclaims attacking the validity and enforceability of the Gemstar patent. Among other things, less than two years ago, Peter Boylan, the President of Gemstar-TV Guide International, publicly claimed that the Gemstar patent at issue in this North Carolina lawsuit was invalid. The validity of this patent is also being contested and a variety of antitrust related claims have been made in various lawsuits brought by other companies in California and Georgia. For more information about EchoStar, visit www.echostar.com.

Read More:
http://www.echostar.com