InterVideo Sues Dell Over DVD Autoplay

Dell was slapped with a lawsuit on Monday from software maker InterVideo over patent infringment regarding DVD technology that allows a DVD to play immediately after inserting it into a drive. InterVideo makes DVD copying and playback software, including the popular WinDVD suite.

As with most companies, Dell does not comment on litigation it is involved in, however representatives for the company said that InterVideo's statement announcing the suit was the first they had heard of the issue.

This is not the first time a company has been sued over this patent, or the first time Dell and InterVideo have had legal issues with one another. InterVideo in 2004 filed two lawsuits against computer manufacturer Acer over the patent, which were later resolved in the company's favor.

InterVideo and Dell traded barbs in 2002 over patent infringement claims related to its WinDVD product that settled in Dell's favor. InterVideo at that time issued 350,000 shares of company stock to the computer manufacturer.

"Dell's infringement has been and continues to be intentional and willful by importing, making, using, selling and/or offering for sale in the United States computer products, and components and peripherals thereof that embody the inventions of the '788 Patent," InterVideo said in a statement.