Mystery Company Sues Sony Over Cell

Sony is being sued for alleged patent infringement over the Cell processor used in the PS3 - by a company that, apparently, does not exist.

Parallel Processing, based in California, filed a lawsuit in the Eastern District of Texas on July 26th, citing patent 5,056,000, which was filed in October 1991. The patent describes a "synchronised parallel processing with shared memory".

The suit states that, "on information and belief, Defendant Sony Corporation of America has infringed and continues to infringe on the '000 Patent by making, using, importing, offering for sale and/or selling products among other things, covered by one or more claims of the '000 Patent, including, but not limited to, Sony Playstation III (sic)."

The suit claims that Sony's actions with regard to the processor "are causing irreparable harm and monetary damage" to Parallel Processing Corporation.

Parallel Processing, which describes itself as the "exclusive licensee" of the patent, is demanding “the impounding and destruction of all Defendant’s products that infringe the ‘000 Patent”. It also wants reimbursement, damages and interest.

What the suit apparently does not mention is the fact that IBM and Toshiba both also make use of the chip in their technology. SPOnG would like to know why Sony is being singled out.

A quick search of the internet also finds no reference to Parallel Processing Corporation other than in regard to its actions against Sony. The patent was filed by a company called International Parallel Machines, and it may well be that Parallel Processing has been put together for the sole purpose of licensing and litigating this patent.^†

If the court rules in favour of the plaintiff, it would present serious problems for Sony. Not only would it be forced to discontinue or redesign the PS3, it would also suffer severe losses in the destruction of its product.

If the Parallel Processing's case does prove to have merit, however, it will more than likely be settled out of court. SPOnG will keep you informed as developments unfold.

^{†Source: ars technica}