Gemstar Files Complaint

Gemstar-TV Guide International, along with its interactive program guide subsidiary
Starsight Telecast, filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission against EchoStar and a group of set-top box manufacturers.

In its filing, Gemstar alleges that the
companies illegally imported set-top boxes containing interactive program guides that infringe on Gemstar’s patents. In addition to EchoStar, Pioneer, Scientific Atlanta and SCI Systems Corporation were named in the
filing.

Currently, Gemstar has pending patent
infringement suits against EchoStar, Pioneer and Scientific Atlanta. SCI Systems
Corporation is a supplier of EchoStar’s
allegedly “infringing” set-top boxes,
Gemstar said.

“Gemstar-TV Guide keeps an open licensing policy and has always been ready to offer
reasonable licensing terms to accommodate licensee needs,” said Jonathan Orlick,
senior vice president and deputy general counsel for Gemstar-TV Guide. “However,
Gemstar must enforce its intellectual
property rights and will pursue all relevant legal processes.”

EchoStar said it hasn’t received a copy
of the action filed against the company at the International Trade Commission. However, the company said, “EchoStar firmly believes that it does not violate any Gemstar or
Starsight patents and will vigorously contest this lawsuit. EchoStar has also filed a
lawsuit against Gemstar alleging violations of various federal and state antitrust laws.”