The Telos Alliance is warning of ‘certain manufacturers’ of broadcast audio networking equipment claiming intellectual property patent rights over implementations of AES67 audio-over-IP interoperability standard.

‘We’ve heard of broadcasters receiving notifications that AES67 infringes on pre-existing patents,’ says Greg Shay, Chief Science Officer of The Telos Alliance. ‘I’m here to tell you, that’s not the case.

‘All the principles of AES67 are contained in Axia Audio Livewire audio-over-IP technology and the prior art. Livewire was introduced in 2003 and became a commercial success around the world years before these other patent claims were filed.’

The Telos Alliance announced the availability and shipment of the industry’s first fully-compliant AES67 implementation in its Axia Audio xNode AoIP Interface in November 2013, and has been shipping these products to clients around the world. It reports ‘no communication, contact, injunction or any notice of infringement has been received from any third party’ during this time and that implementing AES67 has not subjected The Telos Alliance to any third-party claims.

‘We’ve always believed strongly in the many benefits that interoperation and audio-over-IP networking bring to the broadcast industry,’ says Shay. ‘So you can understand our dismay at other parties’ claims that encumber this good work.

‘Livewire technology clearly predates these other company’s systems,’ he continues. ‘In fact, Telos was a sustaining member of the X.192 working group, which developed the AES67 specification, and we are making our own relevant patents and intellectual property available without cost for use in implementations of AES67. With that in mind, we’re calling on this company to abandon any claims of intellectual property rights over implementations of AES67, and join the Telos Alliance and the rest of the industry in unfettered support of this standard.

‘AES67 is safe,’ he adds. ‘On this, broadcasters can stand with us confidently.’