Sony Expands Line of Digital Audio Recorders : Electronics: The firm wants to establish a market in the United States before a suit seeking to ban their importation comes to court.

Under pressure to establish digital audio tape recorders in the U.S. market after a recent lawsuit challenging their importation, Sony Corp. on Wednesday introduced portable and car DAT machines to boost consumer interest in the costly and controversial products.

Introduction of Sony’s $1,100 car DAT player and the $850 Walkman portable DAT recorder comes two months after Los Angeles songwriter Sammy Cahn and four others filed a class-action lawsuit seeking to block U.S. sales of Sony’s digital audiotape recorders.

The plaintiffs, who filed the lawsuit July 9 on behalf of 40,000 American songwriters and music publishers, accused Sony of infringing their music copyrights because DAT recorders are able to make near-perfect copies of recorded material.

DAT players, which achieve high-quality sound with digital technology similar to that of compact discs, have long been available for cars from companies such as Kenwood and Clarion. But so far only Sony has braved objections from composers and offered DAT recorders.

Michael S. Oberman, lawyer for the songwriter plaintiffs, said Wednesday that the lawsuit was not ready for trial. But several experts said Sony’s decision to quickly expand its lineup of digital audiotape machines was made to improve its chances for fighting the case.

“A judge is more likely to grant an injunction (barring sales of DAT recorders) before Sony has made a big investment in DAT,” said Paul Gluckman, managing editor of Audioweek, an industry trade publication. “Plus, I think the company wants to get other suppliers off the fence” regarding the introduction of DAT machines.

A knowledgeable Sony spokesman could not be reached for comment Wednesday. But in a prepared statement, the company said brisk sales of its two home DAT recorders prompted it to accelerate its plans to market car and portable units in the United States.

Sony’s move drew praise from competitor Technics, the Secaucus, N.J.-based consumer electronics arm of Japan’s Matsushita Electric Co.

“I think it’s good and healthy for the market; I wish we did it first,” said Paul Foschino, assistant general manager of Technics, which plans to introduce a $900 home DAT recorder later this month. “But regardless of who introduces them first, the idea of having more DAT players is increasing enthusiasm.”

Ironically, Sony reached agreement with Ford Motor Co. more than 18 months ago to offer DAT players as an option on selected Ford and Lincoln/Mercury cars. But the auto maker later dropped plans to offer the players.

“DAT players were virtually useless because there were no (prerecorded) tapes available,” said Rex Greenslade, spokesman for Ford’s automotive component group. “Certainly the technology is very promising, and we remain interested if and when DAT becomes a viable market.”