Factual broadcaster Discovery Communications has accused Amazon of infringing patents Discovery holds on electronic book technology. The lawsuit claims that the original Kindle, as well as version 2 released in late February, infringes on technology developed by Discovery founder John S. Hendricks, who with two others, received a patent for the invention on November 20 2007.

The technology provides a "secure, encrypted system for the selection, transmission, and sale of electronic books," says Discovery. The company says it, and John Hendricks were significant players in the development of digital content and delivery services in the 1990s. Hendricks' work included inventions of a secure, encrypted system for the selection, transmission, and sale of electronic books. Fellow patent-holders are Michael Asmussen and John McCoskey.

Joseph A. LaSala, Jr., General Counsel of Discovery Communications, said: "The Kindle and Kindle 2 are important and popular content delivery systems. We believe they infringe our intellectual property rights, and that we are entitled to fair compensation. Legal action is not something Discovery takes lightly. Our tradition as an inventive company has produced considerable intellectual property assets for our shareholders, and today's infringement litigation is part of our effort to protect and defend those assets."

Hendricks’ patent (No. 7,298,851) is owned by Discovery, and the broadcaster is asking the US District Court in Delaware for a jury trial.

The technology behind the 55-page patent seems comprehensive, right down to an EPG offering options such as “books you can order” and the supplying assorted themes (History, Romance, Business, etc) as well as listing “Books in your library” with “next shelf” and “previous shelf” options.

Discovery says it does not want Amazon to stop selling the Kindle, but is seeking damages, legal fees and an ongoing licensing deal.

© Rapid TV News 2009