Retired Columbia University Professor Gertrude Neumark Rothschild has filed a complaint against Sony, Samsung, Nokia, and almost 30 other companies for their use of light-emitting and laser diodes over which she claims to have patent.

Since Rothschild complained to the US International Trade Comission, this has the potential to stop all international sales from these companies until or unless they settle with the kindly old lady.

There is precedent in this case, as Rothschild already filed a suit against Philips and other companies which was settled out of court. Yes the format war may be over, but there is a chance that one day we will all have to pay a little old lady royalties to watch 300 on a Blu-Ray disc.

-- Edited by DekaNo at 15:29, 2008-03-22