Greta to sue 13 CD manufacturers over infringement on its CD-shaping patent

About a month ago, Greta Taiwan Inc. had issued a legally-attested letter to 18 CD manufacturers in Taiwan, alleging that they have infringed upon its utility model patent application for “Shape CD”.  Last week Greta even initiated a criminal investigation against Prodisc Technology Inc.  On December 10, 2001, Prodisc Technology, together with other CD manufacturers, expressed that relevant products had been introduced to the markets abroad before Greta obtained its patent as alleged.  According to law, a patent application shall not be granted if the patent concerned is not equipped with the requisites such as novelty or improvements.  Therefore, Prodisc Technology has entrusted a counsel for the invalidation of the said patent.  This is expected to be a major event in the domestic CD industry in recent years. 

The application for the now Utility Model Patent 175485 titled “shape CD” held by Greta was filed with the competent authority on June 8, 1998.  The said patent refers to CD cut designs, after the coating was applied, including name card CDs of which radius is not a standard 8 cm or 12 cm.