Matsushita Electric Files Suit Against Cinram

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., the largest consumer electronics maker, accused Canadian rival Cinram International Inc. of infringing patents for DVDs.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Delaware, Osaka, Japan-based Matsushita says it owns five U.S. patents awarded since 1997 for methods of making Digital Versatile Discs and storing and retrieving information using optical technology.

Matsushita contends Toronto-based compact disc and videocassette maker Cinram is using the patented inventions without Matsushita’s consent. The suit asks for a jury trial, unspecified damages and an order to stop the alleged infringement.

Cinram officials weren’t available to comment. Cinram makes CDs and DVDs for movie studios, music publishers and computer software companies.