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Whew! Vizio TVs safe for now

June 11th, 2009, 11:00 am · 16 Comments · posted by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress

Vizio Inc., an Irvine HDTV seller

In some very last-minute maneuvering, Irvine’s Vizio was allowed to continue selling its TVs in the United States, at least for the near future. That’s right — the nation’s top LCD TV seller appeared thisclose to pulling its HDTVs from store shelves.

Vizio said late Wednesday that it was granted a temporary stay against a federal order to stop importing HDTVs into the United States that infringed on a patent owned by Funai Electric Company, a rival that sells Emerson, Sylvania and Symphonic HDTVs.

But the stay only offers the United States International Trade Commission a bit more time to reverse its April decision to ban imports of TVs that infringe on a Funai patent, also known as the ‘074 patent.

Funai had issued a statement on Tuesday celebrating the end of the ITC 60-day deadline for any presidential intervention. If it hadn’t been for the temporary stay, Vizio would have joined the TV brands Proview, AOC, Ölevia, and Envision from selling infringing TVs in the U.S.

The strange thing about this whole case is that before the ITC made its decision, the same Funai patent was ruled invalid by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

“This is a significant first step in the appellate review process. We are confident that the Federal Circuit will reverse the ITC’s earlier determination and vindicate VIZIO’s position in light of the recent final rejection of the ‘074 patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  The court’s action today serves as yet another affirmation that business is to be conducted as usual despite abusive and anti-competitive behavior from competitors,” Laynie Newsome, Vizio’s vice president of sales and marketing communications said in a statement.

Vizio has been plagued with patent lawsuits from smaller companies and believes such fees could add $30 to the price of every TV it sells. While it does pay licensing fees on proven digital TV components, Vizio feels that companies are coming out of nowhere trying to collect money because of Vizio’s spectacular rise to the top of the HDTV industry in just a few short years. Funai has been particularly litigious.

But Vizio may not be in such dire straits as previously thought. In a response to President Obama’s inaction Tuesday, Vizio said, “the products involved with this particular claim are obsolete, and no longer in mass production.  Therefore we believe this action will not impact our ability to conduct our business in normal fashion.”

As Gizmodo points out, “Ban on Vizio HDTV Imports Upheld, But Does It Even Matter?.”

Around the web:

Earlier on Vizio:

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Posted in: Video & TV • • • • • • • •
 
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 16 Comments

  • Pat Tent says:
    June 11, 2009 at 11:49 am

    Stop the patent madness. First they come for Vizio, then they’ll come for you.

    Thank you Shrub for the idiotic administration of the patent office for eight years. I expect “The One” to fix it eventually, but he has his hands full with the rest of the 8-year mess.

    Post Reply
  • johntheBaptist says:
    June 11, 2009 at 1:27 pm

    Vizio TVs are junk. I took three of the same model Vizio TV back to Costco because of failure and ended up getting a Sony. Spend a few hundred more and buy a TV from a reputable company that actually has a research and development division.

    i

    Post Reply
  • I have 2 Vizio's ... says:
    June 11, 2009 at 1:55 pm

    .. and couldn’t be happier! Not only would I purchase again, some of my friends have bought as well … all happy campers!

    Post Reply
  • heffadude says:
    June 11, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    Sony? Dude, those are junk… Have 3 Vizio’s and never had a problem… Stop wasting your money.

    Post Reply
  • you guys are poor says:
    June 11, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    you guys buy vizio because thats all you can afford.

    Post Reply
  • ocmom says:
    June 11, 2009 at 3:50 pm

    I have a 32″ Vizio and love it; no problems so far.

    Post Reply
  • cuy says:
    June 11, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    I want to try Vizio but I bought Panasonic instead :)

    Post Reply
  • Ralph RC says:
    June 12, 2009 at 1:39 am

    You guys are poor;

    In reality Vizio is a quality television that sells at a lower rate. As a matter of fact, the founder of Vizio happens to be a former President of Sony. Vizio has actually forced higher end manufacturers to lower their cost in order to remain in a competitive market. I own a 42″ myself and the only problem I have is receiving clearer picture. That problem however, is most likely a connection issue versus a component factor. Overall a good TV. Personally I question whether the switch was necessary since I do not see a great difference in the conversion.

    Post Reply
    • k.o. says:
      June 12, 2009 at 10:43 am

      Wow, that post was riddled with errors! For the everyday person who knows very little about TVs, Vizio looks like a good option since they are cheaper. If that is what the consumer wants, that is fine. But do not mistake them for being high quality. Having knowledge of the industry, I wouldn’t recommend a Vizio. They use lower quality OEM components because the founder has connections in Taiwan.

      Post Reply
  • worked with lcds says:
    June 12, 2009 at 10:31 am

    All of the actual LCD screens are made by just a handful of companies. I am not sure if Vizio screens are made in the same place as Sony, but they could be.

    The differences you pay for are fewer imperfections (dots), more expensive internal components, bezel, brand name and manufacturer warranty. Some screens will have better specifications with resolution, refresh rate, life span, etc. I think when you see the picture quality and color most people have a preference and I think Sharp does a nice job, I have an LG, had a Panasonic and a small Sony.

    I would buy a Vizio. I know two friends that are happy with theirs.

    Post Reply
    • [Blocked by CFC] mary scates says:
      September 4, 2009 at 7:34 pm

      I am trying to let as many people as I can know about our bad luck with vizio. We bought our first lcd and within 2 weeks it had tore up but it was under warranty so we got another one, wrong choice, we had this one 12 and 2 weeks. And it is tore up. My husband talked to vizio and found out these tvs can NOT be fixed when they tear up. they are disaposable. It needs to be one the boxes that they are not fixable. we would never have bought one. And I have heard others stories not just ours. Be very careful when you buy and if your buy vizio get the extended warranty!! we can not afford another tv now.

      Post Reply
  • [Blocked by CFC] mary scates says:
    September 4, 2009 at 7:38 pm

    I wish they would have come for vizio before they ripped us! Vizio told us when they break down they are not fixable. Disaposable! Our kids are so upset we are out 2 lcds now and can’t afford another one but when we do it won’t be vizio.

    Post Reply

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