InterVideo announced its subsidiary InterVideo Digital Technology Corporation has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Dell.

InterVideo alleges that Dell’s software allows a DVD disk to automatically start playing a movie when a user inserts a disk into a computer running an InterVideo program. The DVD software maker alleges Dell had full and prior knowledge of the US Patent number ‘788 patent, entitled “Method and apparatus for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions”. It also claims, Dell’s infringement has been and continues to be “intentional and willful by importing, making, using, selling and/or offering for sale in the United States computer products, and components and peripherals thereof that embody the inventions of the ‘788 Patent”.

It has also asked the California court to stop Dell from manufacturing, selling, offering to sell, use and import products which infringe on the ‘788 Patent. InterVideo also wants the court to order Dell to account for and pay it all damages, plus enhanced damages and attorney fees and costs.

Dell spokesman Lionel Menchaca said Dell had no comments of the lawsuit, citing company policy against commenting on pending litigation.

Earlier in 2004, InterVideo Digital Technology Corporation earlier filed two patent infringement lawsuits against Acer in the United States Federal Court for the Western District of Texas for infringement of the ‘788 patent, and in the Taiwan District Court of Taipei for infringement of various Taiwan patents relating to its InstantON(TM) technology. Both cases were resolved satisfactorily for InterVideo.