Wyncomm LLC and Digital Radio Technologies LLC have more time to decide how to respond to a request from radio group owners and iBiquity Digital to consolidate their HD Radio patent lawsuits.
Wyncomm and DRT asked for and were granted a one-week extension “to determine whether they can agree to any portion of the relief requested” by Aug. 29 according to court documents. The radio groups that were sued over their use of HD Radio patent suit asked a judge to consolidate their cases and delay a trial in order to give the technology’s developer a chance to settle the patentability question.
Wyncomm LLC sued the 14 radio groups in November 2013, claiming that the data and voice transmission technology broadcasters use for their HD Radio broadcasts violates three patents it owns. The case experienced several delays before HD Radio developer iBiquity Digital Corp. last month filed suit against Wyncomm and an affiliated company, DRT, claiming the patents in question are invalid. IBiquity, as the developer of the technology, has indemnified the broadcasters, according to court documents.
The broadcasters named as defendants in the federal lawsuit are: Beasley Broadcast Group, CBS Radio, Clear Channel parent CC Media Holdings, Cox Media Group, Cumulus Media, Entercom, Entravision, Greater Media, Hubbard Radio, Radio Disney, Radio One, Saga, Townsquare Media and Univision.
The broadcasters have asked the presiding judge for consolidation of the 14 court cases and then a stay “so that the case involving iBiquity can proceed first,” according to court documents.
Womble Carlyle communications attorney Gregg Skall said motions such as the one filed by the broadcasters are typically granted.
Related:
IBiquity Jumps Into Patent Fray
HD Radio Patent Suit Delayed Again
Settlement Talks in HD Radio Suit?
