Verizon Files Patent Case to Halt Cablevision Set-Top Imports

Verizon filed a patent-infringement complaint with U.S. trade officials, seeking to block imports of television set-top boxes for Cablevision Systems Corp.

In the complaint filed yesterday with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington, Verizon claims Cablevision is infringing five patents. New York-based Verizon seeks to halt imports of digital set-top boxes brought into the U.S. by or on behalf of Cablevision, plus any related software. The patents are related to boxes with advanced features such as the ability to download videos or provide functions such as games, local weather and social networking. Verizon said it uses the inventions in its FiOS television service, which competes with Cablevision for customers. "Each of these five patents is important to Verizon's success in the highly competitive fields of digital video and entertainment services and communications services," Verizon said in the complaint. They "enable Verizon to offer more advanced and differentiated products and services than its competitors."

Verizon asked that the case be handled on a faster, 12-month schedule. Typically, the commission sets out a goal of completing investigations in 15 months.