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April 7, 2005
Play It Again, TiVo
TiVo, which makes digital video recorders (DVR), announced that it has acquired six U.S. patents from IBM. TiVo said that the acquired patents cover audience measurement, integrating Internet access with TV, automatic recording scheduling, content screening, searching, and program guide enhancements.
An IBM spokesman said the patents had originally been intended for a now-defunct digital video products group. The patents have a shelf life lasting from December 2015 to February 2020.
TiVo has been smartly amassing a patent portfolio to boost its IP licensing business and fend off potential competitors from entering the DVR market. TiVo claims a portfolio of 76 patents, with 106 applications pending. A search revealed 25 home-brewed U.S. patents.
DVRs store TV shows on a hard drive, letting viewers pause live television, skip over commercials, and record dozens of hours of programming. I have a DVR, and they are awesome. Once you get one, your VCR will only be good for collecting dust.
Microsoft had a DVR product a couple of years ago, Ultimate TV, but couldn't make a go of it.
In January 2004, TiVo zapped satellite TV provider EchoStar Communications Corp. with a patent infringement suit down in the patent rodeo state of Texas. Jury selection is set for October. Stay tuned.
Posted by Patent Hawk at April 7, 2005 3:06 AM | Patents In Business