Toshiba SED production hits another snag

Well, it looks like there's more than just "technical issues" holding up production of Toshiba's long-awaited SED TVs and keeping them away from this year's CES, with Japan Today reporting that a US lawsuit may now delay the construction of a plant to produce the high-end TV sets. The suit comes from US-based Nano-Proprietary, which had an agreement with Canon (Toshiba's partner in the SED biz), but apparently is not so keen on Canon sharing its patents with its new best buddy Toshiba. Exactly how much, if any, this latest development will delay Toshiba's planned late 2007 launch of its SED sets remains to be seen, though it sure wouldn't be the first time the launch date got pushed back.

[Michael @ Jan 1st 2007 2:09PM]

Oh man. Are these things ever coming out? By the time they do 1080p LCD TV's will be dirt cheap. Or we'll have those 3DTV's.

[Peter @ Jan 1st 2007 6:19PM]

It is more like Nano found a technicality to try and squeeze more revenue. Canon has a full license (paid millions for it), but Nano won't let them build the panels at the subsidiary JV plant that they built with Toshiba. They are claiming it is not a subsidiary since Toshiba has too much influence. Pure cash grab IMO. SED may be delayed into oblivion at this rate.

[Paul Phillips @ Jan 1st 2007 8:30PM]

According to this report SED won't be a consumer product, if at all, ever according to a Toshiba Director.
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20061225/125850/

[Gregg @ Jan 2nd 2007 6:04PM]

by the time this stuff gets to market, 60" plasmas will be about $1200. Their delays are cutting into their margins.

[Shibathedog @ Jan 4th 2007 12:57AM]

NOOOOO!!! Release these stupid things i can get an LCD TV for cheap. (This is seriously a really good way to save money on stuff, Im waiting for ATi to release the DX10 cards just so i can get an X1950XTX, because like 1080p, those cards will be overkill for at least another couple of years)

[kurtis @ Jan 12th 2007 12:15PM]

with all this mysterious stalling and excuses, im starting to suspect that SED TV is theoretical techonology on paper only, and they actually cant construct it in a well functioning manner even after 5 years of planning.

[ptlunch @ Feb 2nd 2007 11:44PM]

It seems odd that reputable companies like Canon and Toshiba would want to cheat the intellectual property and patent rights of a small company like Nano. Canon bought the license for $5.6 million in 1999 from Nano, but then joins forces with Toshiba in a joint venture a few years later. (It now appears that Canon had Toshiba lined up even when they made the 'individual' deal in 1999, and that is a nono in legal terms.) The 50 per cent plus one extra share for Canon in that joint venture was a shame to start with, and Canon buying out Toshiba for $82 million (with secret side agreements?) a few months ago just supports Nano's point in their lawsuit that Canon and Toshiba are cheating. Well, that is what lawsuits are for -- to straighten all of this out. It will delay the launch of these sets until 2008. I must wonder why Toshiba would not just want to pay a license fee to Nano and get on with it? Is this something to do with losing face in Japan. Very strange. They both could lose tens of millions and the Nano license in court. Regardless, they reputations are already tarnished on this one. PTL

[predator.z6 @ May 29th 2007 9:19PM]

dans, you're contradicting yourself and the article. If we boycott Canon and Toshiba, how is that going to help C&T win the lawsuit and launch their product?