MasterImage 3D has successfully challenged RealD’s Chinese utility model patent by filing an appeal before the Chinese Patent Re-examination Board. The Chinese PRB agreed with MasterImage 3D’s claim that RealD’s patent lacked inventiveness and failed to meet the requirements for patent protection. As a result, MasterImage 3D will continue to sell its Horizon3D product line in China.
In October 2014, MasterImage 3D appealed the grant of RealD’s utility model patent CN 203433207U for 3D beam-splitting, polarization technologies. In its appeal, MasterImage 3D documented the lack of novelty and inventiveness of RealD’s patent being brandished by RealD in an effort to block other 3D technologies from the Chinese market. On May 7, 2015, the Chinese PRB declared that RealD’s Chinese patent is invalid as a whole.
It is the second victory of MasterImage 3D after successfully challenging RealD’s utility model patent in Russia. In March 27, 2015, the Russian Patent Office also sided with MasterImage 3D and invalidated RealD’s utility model patent in Russia.
With this victory in the Chinese PRB, RealD’s effort to keep the Horizon3D out of a competitive Chinese marketplace has been denied. MasterImage 3D will continue to sell its Horizon3D high-brightness, triple-beam product line in China and throughout the rest of the world.
"Chinese moviegoers demonstrate an impressive enthusiasm for blockbuster, immersive 3D cinema," said Younghoon Lee, chairman and CEO of MasterImage 3D. "Our Horizon3D system allows the Chinese market to show the world’s best 3D movies in the most visually stunning, premium quality 3D. This is a commitment that MasterImage 3D cherishes and plans to continue for years to come."