Cable operators sued over VOD patents

USA Video Technology, a small company based in Old Lyme, CT, has sued several of the nation's largest cable systems with claims that the operators are violating its patents by offering video-on-demand services.

USA Video Technology sued Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Charter Communications and Comcast. The suit claims USA Video holds a patent for what it called “store-and-forward video,” filed in 1990 and issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1992.

USA Video said it is seeking fair compensation and a court injunction against further infringement.