Arbitron Files Patent-Infringement Suit Against Media Audit/Ipsos

On The Offensive

Today, the battle for electronic measurement supremacy took a legal turn as ARBITRON has filed a patent-infringement suit against INTERNATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS, INC. (D/B/A the MEDIA AUDIT), and the IPSOS entities, in US District Court in TEXAS. The complaint alleges that INTERNATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS and IPSOS are infringing on three ARBITRON-owned patents, as it relates to its electronic measurement technology for PPM.

ARBITRON seeks a permanent injunction against INTERNATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS and the IPSOS entities, in addition to adequate compensatory damages as determined by the court.

ARBITRON President & CEO STEVE MORRIS said, "As a leading innovator of electronic audience measurement technology, we welcome competition as a way to foster the growth of the market. However, we must take action against companies that attempt to profit from our innovation by infringing ARBITRON's patents on the technology that we have worked so long and at such expense to develop. We have invested significant financial and other resources during the last 15 years in the development and testing of our PPM(SM) SYSTEM and we will work aggressively to protect our investment and our intellectual property.

"We believe in the merits of our claim and in the strength of our Intellectual Property portfolio, and are confident that the Court will recognize the validity of ARBITRON's intellectual property in this matter."

In response to the announcement, IPSOS WORLDWIDE CEO RICHARD SILMAN and THE MEDIA AUDIT Pres. BOB JORDAN jointly commented: "We have not seen the petition, it has not been served. At the point this happens, we will consult with our legal counsel and will then issue a further statement."

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