Discovery’s Patent Lawsuit Could Reveal Kindle Sales

March 18, 2009 | Terrence Russell | Comments | |

Sony and Amazon fighting over eBook patents? Sure, just about anyone could imagine that. But Discovery Communications (the media company behind Discovery Channel and Animal Planet) suing Amazon over the Kindle’s patents just seems odd.

On the bright side, this tussle might finally force Amazon to drop the cloak and dagger routine over the Kindle’s sales figures.

The news comes as Discovery’s legal team filed suit with the U.S. District Court claiming that Amazon’s Kindle, Kindle 2, and even its book delivery system infringe on existing patents. According to the company release, U.S. Patent Number 7,298,851 was granted to Discovery’s founder, John S. Hendricks, back in November 2007 — shortly after the first Kindle went on sale.

The patent filing, categorized as “Electronic Book Security and Copyright Protection System,” outlines the creation of an encryption and delivery system for text, and even mentions use of a “portable book-shaped viewer” for TV guide-like applications. If you haven’t already guessed, these features sound a lot like aspects of Amazon’s oft-hyped and questionably expensive pocket reader.

According to Discovery’s release, if the company wins the dispute it has no intention of halting Kindle sales; however, the resulting amount awarded for royalties would be based on the Kindle’s sales figures. From that figure, one could likely construct a rough sales history for the device beyond the 240,000 units guestimated back in August. But for the time being Amazon is still keeping mum — both on the Kindle’s sales and on the patent dispute.

[photo: flickr/mecredis]

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About the Author, Terrence Russell

Terrence writes about online video and digital media licensing for Venture Beat. When he isn't binging on the newest television series to hit the web, Terrence contributes to WIRED Magazine and Wired.com.

  • Haggie
    So, the ebook was patented two years ago? Really? No prior art before 2005 when the patent was first filed? I find that a little hard to believe.

    I'm sure a Google search would find prior art in about five minutes...
  • This is a |war" between giants of hitech indutries. For me, this problem can be settled out of court if only the two warring parties agreed to it. They should not shell out money for litigation purposes but to a peaceful process. As I understood this problem, this has something to do with "similar" features. Hmmm, sometimes ego can be disturbing too if not properly moderated. No wonder this world is nowhere to go because -> for just a "simple" misunderstanding, good camaraderie will "vanished" in a flash.
  • mindirella
    Doesn't Sony already have a book reader out? Not like the Kindle was a totally new concept. Just a better one! I have a Kindle 2 and cannot put it down! :)