Oprah Winfrey’s Production Company in Court over Digital Book Technology

This morning, GalleyCat reported on two authors who built do-it-yourself book club tours. At the same time, a software developer is suing Oprah Winfrey’s production company for infringing on the company’s digital reader software patent.

Illinois Computer Research sued Harpo Productions and Sony in federal court, alleging that both companies had infringed on a patented piece of software that helps book club readers explore new books.

From the news report: “[The patent] allows the reviewing of excerpts from a digital book for preview prior to purchase, but prevents the reader from obtaining and reviewing the entire book prior to purchase. The suit states Harpo Productions infringed on the patent by encouraging or contributing to others use of its Oprah Book Club product.” (Via HuffPo)

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