Funai seeks to ban U.S. imports by 14 TV makers

TOKYO, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Funai Electric Co (6839.OS) has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to ban 14 companies from importing digital television sets to the United States, arguing that the products infringe on Funai's patents.

Targeted firms include Polaroid, Syntax-Brillian BRLC.O, Taiwan Kolin 1606.TW, Proview International (0334.HK), Proview Technology (Shenzhen) Co, Proview Technology Inc, TPV Technology (0903.HK) and TPV International (USA) Inc, Funai said on Tuesday.

Funai, the world's 10th-largest liquid crystal display (LCD) TV maker in 2006, said some of their products are violating patents concerning image modification and digital broadcasting.

Before lodging the complaint with the ITC, Funai filed suits against most of the 14 companies at a California court, seeking damages resulting from what it claims is infringement of its digital TV patents.

The companies targeted in Funai's ITC complaint, which also seeks to ban U.S. sales of the digital TVs in question, also include Vizio, Amtran Technology, Petters Group Worldwide, Top Victory Electronics (Taiwan) Co, Envision Peripherals, and International Reliance.

Shortly after the announcement, shares in Funai closed down 1.5 percent at 4,520 yen, outperforming the Tokyo stock market's electrical machinery index .IELEC.T, which fell 2.11 percent.