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Technology Stocks : IATV-ACTV Digital Convergence Software-HyperTV -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: art slott who wrote (414)	2/28/1999 12:38:00 PM
From: JackSkip	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 13157

I would think that UVSG would like to get the Digital show on the road. "advanced analog set-tops infringes on Gemstar/StarSight patents." ******************************************************************** Non-event or major blow on electronic program guides? United Video Satellite Group has lost the latest round in its legal fight with Gemstar International over electronic program guides--which may lead to a settlement in the protracted five-year lawsuit. United Video and Gemstar subsidiary StarSight have been embroiled in a battle over electronic program guides (EPGs). The case centers on whether UVSG's Prevue Express guide for advanced analog set-tops infringes on Gemstar/StarSight patents. The legal wrangling has escalated in the past year as Gemstar sued Prevue Interactive, General Instrument, Scientific-Atlanta and Pioneer, claiming infringement of Gemstar/StarSight EPG patents. The issue is particularly crucial because EPGs represent one of the most valuable pieces of real estate on the TV dial. The guides not only list programming but also carry advertising and offer cross-promotion opportunities. U.S. District Court Judge Sven Erik Holmes, ruling last week on one of four issues in the Prevue Express suit, said Gemstar subsidiary StarSight Telecast did not engage in "inequitable conduct." In other words, StarSight did not knowingly use false or misleading information to obtain a key patent for its guide. Gemstar Chairman-CEO Henry C. Yuen characterized the ruling as a major blow to UVSG's case. But Peter C. Boylan III, president-CEO of UVSG, called it a "non-event," and said his company from the outset was aware that proving inequitable conduct was difficult. Three issues remain in UVSG's suit against StarSight:  Whether Prevue Express infringed on the StarSight patent;  Whether the patent is valid;  And, Prevue's claim that StarSight violated antitrust laws with an excessively broad patent. Instead of ruling on those issues, the judge wants UVSG and Gemstar to take a shot at settling them. So he referred them to Magistrate Judge Claire Eagan for a settlement conference--a move both sides say they welcome.