NBC might sue TiVo over PSP and iPod support
posted November 28th 2005 7:50AM
NBC is none too pleased with TiVo's plans to make it easy for users to use TiVoToGo to snag TV shows from their TiVo box and load them up on their PSP or video-enabled iPod and are thinking about filing suit to stop them. They're being totally silly, of course. All TiVoToGo does is let users copy a show that they've legally recorded and watch it on another device (with loads of DRM to prevent file-sharing). Up until now that other device was (usually) a PC, which didn't seem to bother the networks so much before, so why are they all put out now? Because they want to own that relationship with the viewer and charge money for people to watch shows on a portable device, like how ABC charges $1.99 to download an episode of Lost. Let's see if they actually waste their time and money on a legal battle.
When I watch a TV show and then play it back in my head am I allowed to do that?
They should DRM content so it self destructs in your memory, probably leaving some kind of worm in the process.
NBC sucks whoe cares what they think
good for NBC, they will stop me from doing what I already do. Oh wait no they won't.
Because NBC has such hot programming they need to protect it? One would think that they would be falling over themselves to get ANYONE to watch Joey...
This is just another example of Network greed at work! I hope TiVo wins the suit and sticks it to the networks!
The only way networks are going to be able to stop this is by not broadcasting shows. Maybe they should have thought about this before they became a public broadcasting network.
really think they are we going to pay for their DRM programs?
Given the relatively worse timeshifting capabilities of the PSP and iPod in comparison to a home TiVo unit, you'd think they'd realize that this might cause more saavy viewers to inadvertantly watch the advertising...
I'm not sure this is settled law just yet. I don't know of a case that specifically holds that it's fair use to watch a recorded program on a device other than the one that the copyright holder intended. Certainly it seems to be a big issue with ripping DVDs, though I guess that's more about DMCA and end-running around the DRM.
Sure, TtG has made it this far without a major lawsuit, but things have obviously changed - networks are now looking to make a lot of money on multiple formats of each program. Like The West Wing? Watch it (w/adverts) on Sunday! Witty banter go over your head on Sunday? Catch it again on download for just $2. Wanna relive the entire season? Buy it on DVD.
This will all be moot when Apple buys TiVo.
#9, have you never heard of the Betamax case (http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/B/htmlB/betamaxcase/betamaxcase.htm)? In the case, Universal City Studios, Inc. et al. v. Sony Corporation of America Inc. et al., Sony was sued for their Betamax's recording capability - and won. The broadcaster never neccissarily intends for a viewer to watch a program on any specific device, and in fact, as evidenced by the Betamax lawsuit, intended that the viewer not even record the breoadcast to any device.
New ttg support for the ipod won't have DRM - only a watermark (good news, IMO, since it allows full personal fair-use but discourages p2p trading).
This has nothing to do with what's fair - the TV networks (and other content owners) have every motivation to attempt to reduce the scope fair use rights down to nothing, in order to control the distribution of their content and force everyone to pay for each device/viewing/thought that involves their content.
How to avoid all of this insanity...
Step 1: Get a DirecTiVo box
Step 2: Hack it
Step 3: Use TiVoTool on your Mac to 1 step download any show on your TiVo to your iPod (Now with Video!(tm))
My 60Gig iPod has about 20 Mythbusters, all the new season of Family Guy, as well as the rest of FG, Futurama, and half a dozen hockey games i've recorded.
If it was CBS or ABC I would understand. NBC's programming sucks period. The only thing I may watch is E-Ring from time to time.
You make crap for products and your revenue is down the tubes, so you take a cheap shot at a successful company? Yeah, that about sums up corporate society.
N8: How about fair use and the Sony VCR case law? Isn't a VCR "a device other than the one that the copyright holder intended"? ??
Why would they go out of their way to keep people from watching their programming?
Greed? How? What $$$ would they miss out on if I watch "Las Vegas" on my iPod instead of my TiVo? Stupidity - Yes. Greed - ???
"My 60Gig iPod has about 20 Mythbusters, all the new season of Family Guy, as well as the rest of FG, Futurama, and half a dozen hockey games i've recorded."
Hockey on an ipod! And I thought following the puck on a regular size tv was tough enough.
It's amazing that the networks do not threaten lawsuits against VCR manufacturers or even Tivo for recording and playback purposes. However, put it on a mobile device and it's war!?!
Why should anyone have to pay for a cable bill AND individual shows you want to watch on a mobile. Because pay per show they have a much higher markup ratio.
NBC sucks yeah -- but if they win it will set a legal precedence and so everyone should care.