TNS, Intelemart, and Gfk joined Arbitron in its challenge of Nielsen Media Research's A/P meter patent in Europe. Last week, a judge with the European Patent Organization in Munich rejected the
challenge, but an Arbitron spokesman Friday said it would appeal the ruling. He also said the challenge had no implications for potential joint ventures between Arbitron and Nielsen involving
Arbitron's portable people meter technology in the United States. He said Arbitron and other researchers challenged Nielsen's A/P--or active/passive meter--patent in Europe, because its patent claim
was too broad.
--Joe Mandese
