Some of the biggest names in both adult and mainstream media have been sued in a patent infringement case involving video-indexing processes that use thumbnail images as part of their DVD navigation.

The plaintiff, Inmotion Imagery Technologies of Houston, filed the grievance in U.S. District Court in Marshall, Texas. In the suit, Inmotion alleges that the defendants have illegally been using patented technology that is designed to sort and display thumbnail images, as well as anchor those images to specific portions of video-recording mediums.

The four adult content providers named in the suit are Video Entertainment, Penthouse Digital, Adam & Eve and Bang Productions. Mainstream media providers named in the suit include Walt Disney Studios, New Line Home Entertainment, Magnolia Pictures, Anchor Bay Entertainment, Warner Brothers and the Weinstein Co.

The suit seeks damages, an injunction against the named companies and attorneys fees.

The case could have broad ramifications since DVDs created and used by various media companies often employ thumbnail video teasers for which Inmotion holds a patent.

SOURCE: “Vivid, Penthouse, Adam & Eve, Bank Hit with Patent Suit, Pardon, Rhett, Xbiz Newswire:  http://www.xbiznewswire.com/view.php?id=120758