Reuters - U.S. trade body to probe Sony

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U.S. trade body to probe Sony

Friday, Mar 21, 2008 8:42AM UTC

TOKYO (Reuters) - The U.S. International Trade Commission said it would launch an investigation into some 30 companies including Sony Corp <6758.T> on possible patent infringements related to Blu-ray disc players and other products.

The commission said on its Web site on Thursday that the products involved are short-wavelength light-emitting diodes and laser diodes used in such electronics as handheld mobile devices, traffic lights and high-definition DVD players.

The move is based on a complaint filed in February by Columbia University Professor Emeritus Gertrude Neumark Rothschild, who is seeking to block imports into the United States of a range of products that she said were infringing her patent.

Besides Sony, companies cited in the ITC announcement include Nokia <NOK1V.HE>, Motorola Inc <MOT.N>, LG Electronics Inc <066570.KS>, and Panasonic maker Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd <6752.T>.

A Sony spokesman said the consumer electronics maker could not as the investigation is ongoing.

(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka)