Sony is facing more troubles over its Blu-Ray technology. Blu-Ray, a new standard for optical discs, which eventually will replace the DVDs is promoted by Sony and is currently competing with HD-DVD, endorsed by Toshiba.

But for the moment the battle between the two standards is far from over, and BluRay is giving Sony new headaches.

Last year, Sony was forced to delay its flagship product, the PS3 entertainment system due to some problems with the BluRay units. In the spring of 2006, Sony announced a worldwide launch of PS3 for November, but few months later the Japanese company announced that the Europeans won’t be able to buy PS3s until March 2007. Also, due to the BluRay problems, Sony has cut the numbers of units to be launched. Instead of 2 milions PS3 for Japan and US, in November Sony shipped only 500.000 units in the two territories.

And, like it wasn’t enough, this week Target Technology, a Californian company, sued Sony Computer Entertainment America, Sony Pictures, and Sony DADC, claiming that that products marketed under the Blu-ray name infringe on a patent it owns for reflective layer materials in optical disc.

According to the suit filled earlier this week Sony infringed a patent granted to Target Technology in March 2006, entitled 'Metal alloys for the reflective or the semi-reflective layer of an optical storage medium'.

The patent addresses what Target called a need for specific types of silver-based alloys with the advantages (but not the price) of gold. According to the patent, the alloys are also more resistant to corrosion than pure silver.

Target Technology requested a permanent injunction preventing Sony from violating its patent rights in the future, as well as damages with interest. Target hasn't specified whether or not all of Sony's Blu-ray discs are in violation.