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Dolby files lawsuit against Research In Motion regarding audio patents

by Adam Zeis on 15 Jun 2011 10:56 AM
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Dolby Digital Logo

Dolby Laboratories today has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Research In Motion regarding audio patents. Dolby claims that RIM employs their patented technologies in BlackBerry smartphones and the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet without any licenses. RIM and Dolby have been unable to reach an agreement regarding the usage, however nearly all other major smartphone makers have licensed with Dolby. The patents cover "highly efficient digital audio compression technologies which allow manufacturers and consumers to provide and enjoy high quality audio while using extremely limited amounts of transmission and/or storage space for such audio." Dolby is asking RIM to halt the use of the unlicensed technology as well as compensate for past use.

Source: Business Wire
Via: Phonescoop

Filed Under: News & Rumors; Tags: Dolby, RIM
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24 Comments

Posted by drethos Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

i have to ask.... who the hell isnt getting sewed?!

 
 
Posted by bobaloo Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

I believe you meant to say "sewn."

 
 
Posted by ZMc1834 Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

Not "sewn" that is like sew i.e. to sew something together, really should be sued.

 
 
Posted by chefnilla Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

Hemmed?

 
 
Posted by Revyrah Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

-1, lol

 
 
Posted by robj75 Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

Stitched

 
 
Posted by Rootbrian Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 343 days ago

Free of patents and open source, both in video and audio, the sound is amazing. Bold 9700 plays them, yours should play them too. *.ogv, *.ogg, *.oga. VLC plays them, windows movie player 11 plays them, doubt realplayer does, but you get it.

I think we all should listen to ogg media and screw the patented formats.

 
 
Posted by Kuttysark Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

I'm really getting tired of hearing about these law suits. I'd rather they settled these things behind closed doors and out of the courts.

 
 
Posted by j1ggz Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

I don't get it, takes them this long to complain about these things after the devices have been out for how long? Like what that person said, everyone is suing everyone these days. Who do you have ur eyes on Crackberry? Lol

 
 
Posted by ZMc1834 Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

This could be bad if a judge rushes this and puts a hold on all upcoming devices.

 
 
Posted by Bahrutile Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

this could delay current devices in the works from being released? perhaps the 9900/9930?

 
 
Posted by marko868 Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

RIM should link with bose!

 
 
Posted by kb2755 Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

Do explain why you suggest they partner with a hardware production company to resolve their current software driver issue.

 
 
Posted by Seigmen Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

Nop, not Bose. Harman Kardon. And it's about software they use, not hardware.

 
 
Posted by gord888 Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

How does Dolby claim that rim is using their technology? Do they have openly available source code?

 
 
Posted by Revyrah Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

Yeah...because my storm suuuuuure sounded like anything Dolby offers..

 
 
Posted by estarno Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

Dolby- I highly doubt it, have you tried listening to music on a blackberry? Unfortunately I maxed my ipod nano out so now my main music player is my blackberry tour via 32gb sdhc card and it sounds like CRAP. Anyone know if sound quality is improved in OS 6 or 7, i'm on 5.

Can barely hear drums, one song will be blasting too loud, and the next I will have to max the volume just to hear. yuck, need to get another ipod if it's the same on the newer devices. Oh, and that crossfade between songs that you CAN't turn off annoys me big time.

 
 
Posted by JohnMidnight Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 343 days ago

Odd, all my music is fine. Though bare in mind, as you convert files from one format to another, audio can be hurt in the process.

I do have songs that I can barely hear, and songs that are crazy loud, but thats what they're supposed to sound :P

 
 
Posted by BBMale Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

I can not say, that BBs have that awesome sound, but it is quite good as well. No clue, if this Dolby-thing make this much difference, but thats trendy bureaucracy... have a look at mp3 - invented by Fraunhofer institute and open for years. Should be used as an example.

 
 
Posted by joeldf Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

It's not the sound, it's the codec used. In this case, it's the ability to play back (decode) AAC compressed files.

Personally, I don't like compressed sound files at all (AAC, MP3, WMA, whatever...). I only have uncompressed wav files that I play back on my Torch. Yes, it limits my space, but I don't care - it's not my primary music player anyway - it's for occasional use only. And it's not too bad. Although, I do wish it had a more customizable software EQ.

I also don't use earbuds, only full over-the-ear headphones.

 
 
Posted by Revyrah Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

Thank you for the clarification, Joeldf.

 
 
Posted by thesign Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 344 days ago

First Kodak, Now Dolby. Why are these guys suing everyone for every little thing. The sound system could have been developed in-house with RIM. Just because they were aiming for the same result doesn't mean they were utilizing Dolby's tech. I mean come on, now even if you place a button some where on a phone you can get sued. RIM should start suing Samsung, Nokia etc, for copying the BlackBerry look (Samsung for the Samsung Chat, And Nokia for the E-series smartphones.) Apple sued Samsung for making their phones look like the iPhone (the Galaxy line). Honestly Kodak and Dolby are just looking for a quick buck. RIM should start suing people, recover all the money lost on law suits, and if theres any money extra....FREE PLAYBOOKS FOR ALL CRACKBERRY USERS!!! YAAAY!......a far fetched dream, so far away.

 
 
Posted by joeldf Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 343 days ago

Again, it's not the sound system itself. It's the ability to decode and play specifically AAC files. A particular codec file (which is licensable - if there is such a word) is required to decode and play that type of file - just as a one is needed to decode and play back MP3, or WMA files. That's apparently what Dolby (they developed the AAC format type) is upset about. Reading up on the articles linked and it seems Dolby and RIM have been going around about this for a while and only now coming to a head. I'm sure Microsoft gets a license fee for the WMA codec used.

 
 
Posted by xiaobuuy Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011 343 days ago

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