Studios Win Suit Against Cablevision Over Network-Based DVR

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 23, 2007 - 10:46am.

New York - Cable TV provider Cablevision has lost a lawsuit filed by the major Hollywood movie studios and networks over the company's plans to introduce a network-based digital video recorder service, Reuters reported.

The company's Remote Storage DVR technology would allow users to "store" their recorded programs on the company's servers, rather than on a set-top box in their homes, a la TiVo.

The concept was supported by fellow cable providers and others in the industry who were watching the lawsuit, filed in May 2006 by Time Warner, News Corp., CBS and Disney.

The studios and networks argued that the service amounts to copyright infringement because serving the recorded programs to viewers' homes would constitute a "retransmission."

"We are disappointed by the judge's decision, and continue to believe that remote-storage DVRs are consistent with copyright law and offer compelling benefits for consumers - including lower costs and broader availability of this popular technology," Cablevision said in a statement.

The company said it is considering an appeal.

http://www.cablevision.com

http://tinyurl.com/3267a8 (DMW previous coverage)

Published in DMW Daily, March 23, 2007

Next story: Federal Judge Issues Permanent Injunction Against Vonage; Shares Plunge

Email this page

tags: Video | Law | Lawsuits | TV | Movies | DVR | Cablevision |

Comments

I Think Cablevision will

Submitted by John (not verified) on March 23, 2007 - 12:42pm.

I Think Cablevision will expend money in an already lost battle, if it appeals. There are many reasons that a remote-storege should not be accepted. People loves to carry with their own belongings. The question about digital right management has been solved. TiVo is ready. Cablevision has already a partnership with TiVo to provide TiVo in Mexico largest City. A good test to start--it would be preferable that Cablevision opt for the same strategy Comcast and Cox and expand equally through TiVo-generics in the U.S.A. It is cheaper than even developing an inferior box, because TiVo's features are unchallenged and the TiVo interface service is unmatched. For a couple of $dollar it is worth to have happy customers, and non-infringiment boxes.