On February 6 a California District Court judge heard statements from New Destiny/Homegrown Video and its co-respondents, who are challenging patent claims of Acacia Technologies Group. Acacia
claims that its Digital Media Transmission technology patents cover audio and video distribution, and therefore give it the right to charge licensing fees to stream virtually anything via the Web.
The hearing marked the beginning of an ongoing process, during which initial assertions were made by both sides and technological definitions were clarified. Although people involved say the case
will not go to full trial any time soon, many believe the outcome will have implications for the future growth of the streaming media industry.