Sex.com mastermind Gary Kremen has donated $10,000 to an account set up to help support the challenge by several Adult Internet companies against Acacia Research’s streaming media patent claims.
"This case is going to set an important precedent to all the others that would like to exploit the same business model as Acacia,” said Kremen announcing the donation. “The defendants need the help and I am happy to support their efforts."
A group of Adult Internet companies led by New Destiny/Homgrown Video and VS Media are challenging the claims, collectively called Digital Media Transmission, in federal court. Over the summer, a federal judge, in preliminary Markman-process findings, held several claim terms could not be defined while others might be definable. Further hearings are set for December 2 and 3.
New Destiny/Homegrown Video chief Spike Goldberg welcomed the Kremen donation. "Most of our donations have been from small companies that don't have a lot to give, and big companies have not offered much support,” Goldberg said. “Sex.com is a wonderful exception."
Acacia in recent months has expanded its effort to license the claimed DMT patents, moving from Adult Internet companies toward several cable and satellite television, in-room entertainment providers, Web radio, and even firms that just advertise online using streaming audio or video.
