Panavision sues Cannon?

[Eric Ulbrich]

I heard a rumor that Panavision is suing Cannon. I found this docket filed by Panavision Imaging in fedral court It states:
Plantiffs: Panavision Imaging LLC
Defendants:Omnivision Technologies, Inc., Canon U.S.A., Inc., Micron Technology, Inc. and Aptina Imaging Corporation

Nature of Suit: Intellectual Property - Patent
Cause: 35:271 Patent Infringement

below is the link to the docket filing.
Anyone know any details?

http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-cacdce/case_no-2:2009cv01577/case_id-438929/

[Eric Ulbrich]

It says that the docket was filed back in march of 09. Perhaps this case has already ended? (srry if im behind the times, just curious to know what has happened or going on?)

[Alexander Ibrahim]

I heard a rumor that Panavision is suing Cannon. ...

A Google search revealed that there has been no action in the case since June 2009.

See last dockets here (http://www.freecourtdockets.com/Dockets/Panavision_Imaging_LLC_v_Omnivision_Technologies_I nc_2_09_cv_01577_California_Federal_District_Docke t_Page_3_90106_16858.htm)

[Mitch Gross]

This is why one currently cannot rent a Canon with a Primo mount from Panavision.

[Alexander Ibrahim]

This is why one currently cannot rent a Canon with a Primo mount from Panavision.

I thought you were joking, I mean a Primo mount on a 7D? Ha

Then I realized you could be talking about Canon S16 and B4 lenses.

A bit later I realized, if you can modify a 7D for PL mount you should be able to Panavise it too.

Frankly, whatever the issue, I don't know that Panavision would not rent gear they already own, and at this point I can't figure out the issue.

(Figured out the issue, see next post)

[Alexander Ibrahim]

On March 6, 2009, Panavision Imaging, LLC, or Panavision, filed a complaint against us alleging patent infringement in the District Court for the Central District of California. The case is entitled Panavision Imaging, LLC v. OmniVision Technologies, Inc., Canon U.S.A., Inc., Micron Technology, Inc. and Aptina Imaging Corporation, Case No. CV09-1577. In its complaint, Panavision asserts that we make, have made, use, sell and/or import products that infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 6,818,877 (“Pre-charging a Wide Analog Bus for CMOS Image Sensors”), 6,663,029 (“Video Bus for High Speed Multi-resolution Imagers and Method Thereof”) and 7,057,150 (“Solid State Imager with Reduced Number of Transistors per Pixel”). The complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages, fees and expenses and injunctive relief against us. We expect to vigorously defend ourselves against Panavision’s allegations. At this time, we cannot estimate any possible loss or predict whether this matter will result in any material expense to us.

Read more: http://www.faqs.org/sec-filings/091210/OMNIVISION-TECHNOLOGIES-INC_10-Q/#Item1_legalProceedings_191534#ixzz0cJy687KH

[Stephen Williams]

A bit later I realized, if you can modify a 7D for PL mount you should be able to Panavise it too.
)

Much easier to put a Pavavision mount on a 7D than a PL.

[Mark L. Pederson]

Much easier to put a Pavavision mount on a 7D than a PL.

Been done.

[Andrew Walker]

Panavision, what a bunch of idiots. So this is how they deal with others when they don't want to rent their cameras. I'm kind of surprised that they haven't filed something like this against RED. But they do have a bunch of RED cameras they rent out with their lenses.

So has anyone made a PV to Canon mount yet after PV destroyed all theirs. Would be kind of fun to put one on my 5D2.

[Andrew Walker]

Here's a nice thread posted by Tom when he was shooting TL on the 5D2 using some Panavision glass.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=30968

[Mitch Gross]

They are not idiots. They are involved in a legal matter. Ceasing the use of the PV mount and lenses on the Canon cameras was likely on advice of council.

[Gavin Greenwalt]

So if I were to start selling some of your work Andrew you would think it's idiotic to sue me? I'm always amazed by the level of antagonism people in our industry have toward intellectual property since most of us would have to find new careers if were weren't protected by the same laws.

[Andrew Walker]

So if I were to start selling some of your work Andrew you would think it's idiotic to sue me? I'm always amazed by the level of antagonism people in our industry have toward intellectual property since most of us would have to find new careers if were weren't protected by the same laws.

Oh of course I would be pissed if someone tried to sell my footage. But that is pretty clear cut on who owns that because I have all the RAW files:sifone:. I don't mean to sound disrespectful about the whole Panavision Canon thing going on here. It just seems more like a pissing match between the two companies more than anything else. When someone destroys all the mounts that would mount a Panavision lens on a Canon camera it seems a little childish. Why should everyone have to suffer for something that is between PV and Canon. That is what makes me mad.

But if Canon did infringe on Panavision's copyright then I'm sure Canon will have to pay out the ass for what they did and that will be the right thing to happen to Canon. If in fact they did steal someone else's idea. Time will only tell.

[Gavin Greenwalt]

Doesn't sound like it has anything to do with mounts so much as sensor technology.

[Eric Ulbrich]

thats exactly what I was going to say Gavin. If you actually read the filings guys this has nothing to do with PV 5DmkII's. My guess is that it has something to do with the actual video features on the Canon cameras. Panavision imaging if im not mistaken developed many of the basic technologies on CMOS video acquisition. I bet this lawsuit has something to deal with Canon giving video capabilities to their DSLRs and not paying the piper to do it.

[Andrew Walker]

thats exactly what I was going to say Gavin. If you actually read the filings guys this has nothing to do with PV 5DmkII's. My guess is that it has something to do with the actual video features on the Canon cameras. Panavision imaging if im not mistaken developed many of the basic technologies on CMOS video acquisition. I bet this lawsuit has something to deal with Canon giving video capabilities to their DSLRs and not paying the piper to do it.

I didn't mean to imply that it had anything to do with the mounts. The PV to Canon mounts were just a casualty of this whole situation. I did read the link and I know that's its about the sensor or the method of which the sensor converts information.

[Mitch Gross]

Who says Panavision destroyed the mounts? They are simply not currently making them available for rental.

[Andrew Walker]

Who says Panavision destroyed the mounts? They are simply not currently making them available for rental.

Well if they aren't available for rent then they might as well not exist. What would be the point of having mounts that you can't use.

[Cid J Salcido Uyarra]

Who says Panavision destroyed the mounts? They are simply not currently making them available for rental.

In the mid 2000's they had to clean house and make room for new stuff, in that space was a bunch of Pan-EOS mounts that got tossed or snagged by employees. They where used to scout locations by taking pictures to show to DP and Director but by the time LiveView took off they had trashed them all.

Very few have the opportunity to use Pan glass on Canon DSLR. Have to be a good DP with lots of recognition and credentials with Pani. But even then it's a tough feat.

www.vivaelcid.com

[Steve Das]

In the mid 2000's they had to clean house and make room for new stuff, in that space was a bunch of Pan-EOS mounts that got tossed or snagged by employees. They where used to scout locations by taking pictures to show to DP and Director but by the time LiveView took off they had trashed them all....

Yes..Panavision had mounts on Canon cameras going way back to 1999.

They were part of a digital previz system called something like
Panavision Kodak PreVIEW. Idea was you'd get a Kodak stock and
shoot stills of your location or actors and then digitally you could
alter the look to see what certain filters or effects like bleack bypass
would do to the final image.

Apparently some of these old mounts were still floating around
at Panavision Hollywood and Shane Hurlbut ASC managed to get ahold
of some of them and did shots w/ Primos on Canon for an
upcoming Navy SEALS action movie.