– The DirecTV Group Inc.
is among 15 companies being sued by Forgent Networks Inc. for allegedly infringing on a patent for digital video recording. Forgent, an Austin software and intellectual property development company, said its patent relates to a computer-controlled video system that allows playback during recording. The patent expires in 2011.
The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Companies named in the suit included Cable One Inc., Comcast Corp., Cox Communications, EchoStar Communications, Charter Communications Inc. and Time Warner Inc.
– IHOP Corp.
said its same-store sales rose 0.9 percent for the second quarter ended June 30. The Glendale-based International House of Pancakes restaurants operator and franchiser said it was its 10th consecutive quarter of positive same-store sales growth. The company also said it was confident it would meet its forecast for same-store sales growth of 2 percent to 4 percent in fiscal 2005
– American Business Bank
, an L.A.-based bank, reported net income of $1.3 million (66 cents per diluted share) for the second quarter, compared with $685,000 (34 cents) for the like period a year earlier. Total assets rose to $491 million from $392 million in the year-ago period.
– Northrop Grumman Corp.
received a three-year, $52 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to finish developing a fire-control radar replacement kit to improve performance and enhance reliability in approximately 240 fighter aircraft. The initial two-year Air Force contract, awarded to Northrop in August 2004, was worth $22 million. Actual production of the upgrade kits will take place under a third contract that has yet to be negotiated.
– G.I. Trucking
, an L.A.-based carrier, was acquired by Estes Express Lines of Richmond, Va. Financial details were not disclosed. The two companies have worked together for 10 years via a carrier network and already share the same computer network, common marketing functions and identical platforms for guaranteed shipping services. The deal expands Estes’ U.S. territory to 46 states.
