Sony Settles Blu-ray Patent Dispute

Sony has settled a lawsuit with Columbia University Professor Emerita Gertrude Neumark Rothschild which focused on the technology used for basic semiconductor technology used in current Blu-ray players. During the 80's and 90's, Professor Rothschild owns patents for wide band-gap semiconductors which are widely recognized to have led to the development of short-wavelength light emitting diodes, such as the blue laser diode used for Blu-ray.

Albert L. Jacobs, Jr. of Dreier LLP Intellectual Property commented, " Professor Rothschild is very pleased that both Sony and Sanyo, and other major electronics makers have recognized her major scientific contributions to LED and LD technology. Professor Rothschild made a seminal breakthrough in understanding the doping requirements necessary for the production of the blue, green, violet and ultraviolet LEDs and LDs on a commercial and efficient scale that are essential to today's consumer electronics, and highly deserves this recognition for her work."

Details of the settlement were not released.