Media luvvin' tech analysts contract patent fever

Number crunchers Nielsen and ComSore have gotten too close to the tech sector. They've hit each other with patent-infringement claims.

Nielsen has lodged suit against ComScore, claiming the latter infringed on of its five patents. Nielsen wouldn't comment on the case but directed us to a site here that lists what appears to be the patents in question.

The patents cover a computer-use meter and analyzer, metering of internet content using a control, network resource monitoring and measurement system method, content display, and monitoring by a process system and content display monitor. The action was filed on March 15.

Meanwhile, ComScore told The Reg that it has raised patent infringement claims against Nielsen. The company did not provide further details when pressed.

A ComScore spokesperson said: "Based on our initial review of [Nielsen's] claims, we believe they are without merit. We are respectful of IP rights and, as innovators, have filed and been issued patents of our own."

In a statement released to The Reg, Nielsen told us: "Nielsen has made substantial investments over many years in its intellectual property.

"While we support vigorous competition in the marketplace, that competition must be fair and respect intellectual property rights. Nielsen does not take such matters lightly and only after thorough analysis and consideration did we file this action. We look forward to a fair and appropriate resolution."

The companies' market share stats are frequently cited by media outlets. Both provide market data and analysis on computing, devices, and the internet, among other subjects.

Most recently, the pair reported on the US smartphone market. In reports that came out five days apart, with Neilsen's hitting first, both found Android is now the number-one operating system for smartphones in the US, having taken over from RIM - in second place - and with Apple placing third. ®