Gemstar Sues Pioneer Over Patents

Gemstar International Group Ltd., a Pasadena-based maker of software and other technology for interactive television, said it filed suit accusing Pioneer Electronics Corp. of infringing its patents for cable box programs. In the suit filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, Gemstar claims that Pioneer infringes Gemstar’s intellectual property when it sells the boxes used for cable television. Gemstar’s Levine patents, which cover the product, protect an interactive program guide using locally stored data, Gemstar said. Gemstar is asking the court to stop Pioneer from selling the product and for unspecified damages. Tokyo-based Pioneer, an audio equipment maker, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. Gemstar stock rose $1.38 to close at $62.13 on Nasdaq; Pioneer’s American depositary receipts rose 13 cents to close at $16.44 on the NYSE.