To all webcam companies, are you going to be affected by this?

[cthulhu_waves]

There is a legal battle happening right now that has to do with the owners of the patent for webcam technology and the blue chip companies who have started using the technology as their own.

The courts have responded by revising the patent meant to pacify both parties. This might be a long and dragged in case that can affect the burgeoning webcam industry.

What is your take on this and should adult webcam companies be concerned about this case?

MARSHALL, Texas — The holding company that is suing 12 adult live-cam operators over the alleged use of its patent amended and narrowed its complaint on Tuesday.

Joao Control and Monitoring Systems claims the companies are allegedly infringing on U.S. Patent No. 7,277,010 by making, using or selling video monitoring and communications apparatus that authorizes surfers to view live streaming video using usernames and passwords.

According to the amended complaint, Joao's patent relates to (1) receiving video information with a processing device, (2) receiving a signal from a communication device with the processing device, (3) processing the received signal, (4) determining whether transmission of the video information to the communication device is authorized, and (5) transmitting the video information to the communication device over the Internet if it is determined that the communication device is authorized.

The infringement suit, filed in November, targets such blue-chip brands as Playboy Enterprises, Penthouse Media Group, LFP Internet Group, FriendFinder’s Steamray Inc., Vivid Entertainment, Playboy's ClubJenna unit, Anabolic Video Productions, Evil Angel Productions, New Destiny Internet Group, Shane Enterprises and Private Media Group’s GameLink.

You can read the entire Rhett Pardon report on the matter here.