Patent fight over personal stereo

(First Edition)

An electronics expert yesterday began a court battle to prove that he invented the personal stereo. Andreas Pavel, 47, a German-born television consultant, claims that Sony infringed his patent when launching its huge-selling Walkman. His representative, Keith Beresford, told Wood Green Patent Court in London: 'The personal stereo has been recognised throughout the industry as a breakthrough and we of course say the plaintiff's patent gave the first idea of portables.'

Up until now, Akio Morita, the Sony co-founder, has been recognised as the inventor of the personal stereo. The case continues.