Report Suggests Settlement Talk In HD Suit

Court filings in an HD Radio patent suit indicate broadcasters’ willingness to at least consider settling before trial, according to RadioWorld.

The situation is hard to gauge, with broadcasters not commenting and the patent holder difficult to track down. But information has emerged that suggests a settlement could be in the offing.

Wyncomm LLC sued 14 radio ownership groups in November 2013, claiming that the voice and data transmission technology broadcasters use for their HD Radio broadcasts violates the patents it owns.

Named as defendants in the federal lawsuit were Beasley Broadcast Group, CBS Radio, Clear Channel parent CC Media Holdings, Cox Media Group, Cumulus Media, Entercom, Entravision, Greater Media, Hubbard Radio, Radio Disney, Radio One, Saga, Townsquare Media and Univision.

Now court documents give a brief glimpse inside the lawsuit between radio owners and a company that some consider a “patent troll.” The documents show an intention to discuss a settlement while delaying the date broadcasters are required to reply to the lawsuit filed in federal court.

“The reason for the request is to allow parties additional time to discuss settlement,” according to a letter cosigned by both sides filed with U.S. District Court in Delaware in early February. The request was accepted by the court; that delays broadcaster responses until April 25. Originally, responses were due in late February.

Bill Ragland, a patent attorney with Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, which is not affiliated with the case, said it’s not unusual for opposing parties to request additional time to file responses to a complaint to allow for settlement talks.

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