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Tivo & Echostar
November 30, 2007
I have to admit it, I am not a guy well versed in legal mumbo jumbo. When word got out yesterday that the United States Patent & Trademark office had upheld Tivos “Time warp” patent my mailbox quickly filled up from readers everywhere concerned that their Dish Network Digital Video Recorders (DVR’s) would soon stop working because of this ruling.
To those folks I say relax, to the best of my knowledge and from what I have heard from sources your DVR’s are not going to stop working. In other words, the sky is not falling.
While there is still a lot stuff going on in court, the court could still rule that Echostar did not violate Tivos patents. If that happens then nothing will change on any consumers DVR, however if Echostar does lose the case a few things can be done. The most likely thing is Echostar Dish will update their software on their DVR’s that are in no longer violation of the patented software. From the rumors I have heard this change would be minor and users would not notice.
However there are a few other things I think Echostar can do (And remember I am no lawyer so some of these things may not be possible):
They could pay Tivo for the use of their software, which while costly imagine it if Dish Network customers we able to elect to have their DVR’s powered by TIVO software for an additional monthly fee. I know many users who would love to have the full Tivo software on their DVR’s. And with Dish Networks recent buyout of Sling Media, imagine a Dish Network DVR with Tivo Software and built in Slingbox support. (Man I would love one of those!)
If things look gloomy for Echostar Dish could just settle with Tivo before the Texas court renders its decision. After all is said and done, Echostar should look to acquire Tivo as Tivo would fit in with the new Echostar they are looking to build. Honestly it is too bad that Echostar didn’t buy them years ago when they could have probably purchased the company for a song and a dance.
With the Patent Offices ruling one can only wonder how long it will be until we see Tivo filing lawsuits against other companies who make DVR’s and DVR software. For those who are wondering if they will see one of those lawsuits filed against DirecTV who is not making its own DVR’s and the answer to that is no as Tivo and DirecTV have an agreement in place that prevents Tivo from suing DirecTV.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Posted by Scott Greczkowski on November 30, 2007 | Comments (1)
