Stereobelt
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The Stereobelt is a portable audio device, very similar to the Walkman personal stereo sold by Sony. It was invented in the year 1977 by the German Andreas Pavel and patented in Italy and other European countries. At first, Pavel had planned to market his product by himself, but his plans were never implemented. Sony began selling Walkman stereos in 1979.
Pavel challenged Sony for patent infringement. Although he was not successful in court, he reached an out-of-court settlement with Sony (after the more popularly recognized inventor, Akio Morita, died).