Hulu targeted in second patent spat

Hulu has been targeted in yet another patent brouhaha, this one from Single Touch Interactive.

Single Touch Interactive, which provides mobile media solutions to advertisers, retailers, and brandholders, sent a "letter of notification" to the online video company concerning a trio of patents it believes Hulu is violating.

"After years of establishing ourselves as a pioneer in mobility, and cementing our IP position, it has become increasingly important for us to take the steps necessary to protect what we have already established," said Anthony Macaluso, Single Touch Interactive's chairman and chief innovation officer.

A couple of weeks ago, interactive guide company Rovi hit Hulu with a patent lawsuit saying Hulu had infringed on three of Rovi's patents relating to program guides.

Rovi Corp. licenses its electronic program guide technology to a number of companies like Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL), Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) and Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT).

Rovi claims Hulu's infringement "presents significant and ongoing damages to Rovi's business." Rovi is seeking compensation for lost revenue and treble damages.

The suits come at an awkward time for Hulu, as its three media company owners, News Corp. (Nasdaq: NWSA), Disney (NYSE: DIS), and Comcast's (Nasdaq: CMCSA) NBCUniversal, are in the process of trying to sell the business.

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Rovi: Hulu infringed program guide patent