Tokyo - The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has launched an investigation into potential patent infringements of Sony (NYSE: SNE) Blu-ray Disc players and the products of some 30 other companies, based on a complaint from a Columbia University professor, Reuters reported.

Columbia professor emeritus Gertrude Neumark Rothschild said in her complaint filed in February that Sony, Nokia (NYSE: NOK), Motorola (NYSE: MOT), LG, Matsushita and others were infringing on her patent "short-wavelength (e.g., blue, violet) LEDs and laser diodes that are used in products such as hand-held mobile devices, instrument panels, billboards, traffic lights, HD DVD players (e.g., Blu-ray disc players), and data storage devices." the ITC said.

The matter has been referred to an administrative law judge, who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing.

A Sony spokesperson would not comment on the investigation for Reuters.

Related Links:
http://www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/news_release/2008/er0320ff2.htm

http://snipurl.com/22ibh (Reuters)