As the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicked off yesterday in Las Vegas, attorneys for Monster, LLC and owner Noel Lee were busy filing a lawsuit in a California Superior court against Beats Electronics, LLC, Andre Young (Beats founder better known as Dr. Dre), Paul D. Wachter (a Beats director), Jimmy Iovine (Beats founder), and HTC (a Taiwanese company that allegedly at one time owned a majority interest in Beats). Multiple published reports carried the rather salacious claims by Monster and “Head Monster” Noel Lee about the allegedly nefarious business practices of Beats, its founders, certain directors, and some of its partners.
Law
On Eve of Trial, Savant & Crestron Settle Lawsuit
BREAKING NEWS
We’ve learned today that the long running legal battle between automation giants Savant Systems and Crestron Electronics has been settled on the eve of the case going to trial. The suit was originally filed in September 2010 by Savant Systems, LLC, which alleged that Crestron Electronics, Inc. had – amongst other things – engaged in a variety of anti-competitive and unfair trade practices. Crestron denied Savant’s allegations and launched their own countersuit alleging that Savant had – amongst other things – engaged in tortious interference with contractual relations; and, unfair & deceptive acts in the conduct of trade.
Scheduled to go to trial in January, the parties have now settled the matter… [Read more…] about On Eve of Trial, Savant & Crestron Settle Lawsuit
D+M Group Issues Response to Sonos Lawsuit
BREAKING NEWS
Earlier today, we reported that wireless music system powerhouse Sonos had filed a lawsuit against Denon in regards to its HEOS line of wireless music systems. The lawsuit alleged, among other things, infringement on four of their patents and asked the court for an injunction to stop HEOS products from being sold.
Today, we received a statement from D+M Group, the parent of Denon, in response to this lawsuit.
See the D+M Group’s statement on the Sonos lawsuit… [Read more…] about D+M Group Issues Response to Sonos Lawsuit
Sonos Sues to Halt HEOS
Congratulations Denon, your new HEOS system is so successful that wireless music monster Sonos has taken notice…and filed a lawsuit to stop it. It has been a open secret since we first learned of HEOS this past June that HEOS is meant to attack the same wireless music player market that Sonos essentially invented. Many have tried to take on Sonos…but none have come close to replicating the features and performance Sonos introduced to consumers. Until HEOS…
See more on this development. Will Denon fight? Or license?… [Read more…] about Sonos Sues to Halt HEOS
Hands-On Battle in Clash of Remote Control Titans; URC Claims Victory
But UEI Says ‘It is Not Over’
For the last couple of years, there has been a running court battle between two of the titans of the remote control category: Universal Electronics, Inc. (UEI) and Universal Remote Control, Inc. (URC). Today, one of them, URC, announced victory in the first of two pending patent infringement lawsuits that was originally filed in 2012.
URC claimed a complete victory – but Strata-gee.com has received a statement from UEI who says, in effect, not so fast – this dispute is far from over.
See what URC claims the court said…and why UEI cautions not to jump to conclusions… [Read more…] about Hands-On Battle in Clash of Remote Control Titans; URC Claims Victory
NY Times Launches Blistering Critique of LG; Says New U.S. HQ is a ‘Public Shame’ & a Reminder to ‘Shop Samsung’
We told you a few days ago about a rising chorus of opposition to the construction of LG’s new 143-foot tall U.S. headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, NJ – a borough which borders on a lush, green, wooded area of the state known as the Palisades – a National Natural Landmark. Now, in a scathing “Critic’s Notebook” article in Saturday’s New York Times, Michael Kimmelman compares how Samsung – also building a new headquarters building in San Jose, CA – took steps to be a good corporate citizen and fit in with the community…versus the approach by LG, “…a lousy neighbor.”
A critique of building design, the article didn’t pull any punches in thoughts about LG… [Read more…] about NY Times Launches Blistering Critique of LG; Says New U.S. HQ is a ‘Public Shame’ & a Reminder to ‘Shop Samsung’
Environmental Group Raises Stakes to Stop LG’s New US Headquarters
A group of concerned citizens and several environmental groups have banded together to form an organization known as the Protect the Palisades group in an effort to stop LG Electronics USA from building a new headquarters tower in an area of New Jersey called the Palisades. The Palisades is a large wooded area that spans parts of Northern New Jersey and Southern New York, and it borders on the picturesque Hudson River. It is famed for its wild and natural beauty – and it is a U.S. National Natural Landmark.
Now, the Palisades group has raised the stakes in its fight to stop LG, which has already broken ground on the disputed project… [Read more…] about Environmental Group Raises Stakes to Stop LG’s New US Headquarters
Caught! Samsung Investigated for Placing Fake Reviews on the Web
Samsung Electronics Co., one of the fastest growing and most popular electronics brands in the world, is the subject of an investigation by the Taiwan Fair Trade Commission that is acting on tips it received that the company’s marketing department has allegedly been placing, or contracting for, fake reviews on the web. These reviews, which were said to be positive on Samsung products and negative on Samsung competitors, were not visibly identified as paid or sponsored reviews.
See what Samsung meant when it said this was a simple case of “insufficient understanding”… [Read more…] about Caught! Samsung Investigated for Placing Fake Reviews on the Web
Did Vendors Force Electronics Expo into Bankruptcy?
In a series of filings associated with the Chapter 11 voluntary bankruptcy filing by Wayne, NJ-based Electronics Expo, we are learning new details on the slippery slope the company found itself facing in 2012 – a slope that landed them in court, seeking protection from creditors. The filings included an affidavit from company Managing Member and President Levent (known as Leon) Temiz that said circumstances left them with “no alternative but to conclude that a reorganization under Chapter 11 was the best way to stabilize the Debtor’s financial condition and maintain sufficient flexibility to restructure its debt while continuing to operate its business.”
What were the factors that drove Electronic Express to bankruptcy?… [Read more…] about Did Vendors Force Electronics Expo into Bankruptcy?
Tech Data Must Restate Financials for Last Three Years
BREAKING NEWS
Clearwater, FL-Based Tech Data Corp. said today that it will restate some of its financial results for the period of time covering the fiscal years of 2011, 2012, and 2013. According to the company, it has discovered “improprieties” with how its U.K. subsidiary reflected vendor accounting.
