Microsoft has AT&T's back, sues TiVo for patent infringement
By Tim Stevens 
posted January 20th 2010 8:19AM
posted January 20th 2010 8:19AM
The DVR patent fight just got a little crazier, with Microsoft greasing itself up and jumping into the arena -- seemingly to preserve the honor of AT&T. You'll remember (maybe) that TiVo and AT&T have been having something of a fight over a few different patents primarily related to time shifting. Now Microsoft is suing TiVo, saying that it has stepped on two patents used in AT&T's U-Verse, which you'll recall relies on Microsoft's Mediaroom. Want to hear some of the legal verbiage in question? "A system that displays programmable information and a secure method for buying and delivering video programs." It's vague and all-encompassing, and that's just how we like our patent kerfuffles.
the other day I was thinking about a washer that drops clothes automatically into a dryer, then I searched and found two different patents with the same idea. is that why it's never in the market?
@htd
Patented by me as of...NOW!
See you in court!
@htd
This is why I think there should be a law that patent holders must license out their patents at a reasonable price, or they lose the rights to the patent. Technological advancement is being choked by patents these days. Alternatively, maybe patents should be renewed annually with an exponential price increase every year to renew.
@joquarky
Not a bad thought. Or, perhaps it should be required that the patented idea be productized, whether by the patent holder or a licensee, within 5 years. If not, then the patent is declared invalid and anyone can use the idea.
REFORM THE PATENT SYSTEM!
@joquarky : The potential licensees could evade the patent by agreeing to not take licenses and then claiming that the patent should lapse because no one licensed it.
interesting
@lifenexus
What is? The patent? Or the fact that if Apple is not in a lawsuit with anyone atm, it'll find one just for shitsngiggles.
@shadowj0
I meant AT&T, not Apple.
@shadowj0: "I meant AT&T, not Apple."
Same difference, in the world of litigation.
@shadowj0 i type one word and one desperate comment. what was interesting is the patent system. Its like every day one infringement.
@lifenexus
I had to play off from that. Sorry.
@aubreyq
I know, in my mind I said AT&T = Apple, but I had to save myself from getting downvoted. One can thank the iPhone for that.
@shadowj0 na its ok. no hard feelings
I had no idea U-Verse used Microsoft tech - cool
This sounds like it's only meant to drag TiVo down. TiVo doesn't offer a way to buy videos though, do they? It seems to me that "delivering" is going to be interpreted as being brought in fom off-property, and TiVo doesn't deliver from off property.
@JDM
Yeah, not sure how this is related. They do offer a way to connect o Amazon to buy videos, but that is more of a proxy than built into their system.
Wait, what? Huuum! Why so friendly to AT&T all of a sudden MS? (I smell something cooking). Could it be that when apple exclusivity ends MS windows Mobile 7 exclusivity begins? Well if it does, remember you heard from Frank Black FIRST! Just sayin ;^/...
@Frankenstein Black
They are friendly because U-Verse uses Mediaroom 2.0 which gives IPTV services hand and feet to walk on.
Hands off my Peanut Microsoft! You scumbags are unbelievable for your whorish ways. Try innovating something for ONCE!
@Leicaman: They have a patent, dont they?
Maybe you should let the courts decide whether their patent is valid before throwing blame around.
@Leicaman
Yeah, because it's not like Tivo has ever sued anyone for patent infringement *cough*Echostar*cough*. But since Microsoft is now doing suing over infringement, IT MUST BE EVIL AND THEY HATE YOU AND WANT TO KILL YOUR PEANUT!!!!11!1
Companies do this all the time. It's the (shitty) system at work. Get over yourself.
@lamerz
Dudes, massive lack of a sense of humor. Talk about getting over one's self.
wait, didn't Tivo basically invent the DVR? How could they possibly be infringing on other companies patents? Their software hasn't changed in years!
@TheAngryIntern TiVo does use patents from other companies. For example TiVo can play back MP3 and they license the patents to do that. TiVo has been in patent disputes in the past, TV Guide for example. In that case they settled with TV Guide and made a licensing agreement.
In this case, the first patent is probably invalid since TiVo has been "displaying programmable information" since they came to market and other products have been doing it before then. I'm not sure how the second one applies to TiVo unless Microsoft considers TiVo's interface to Amazon, Blockbuster Online, Disney, etc as being a "secure method for buying and delivering video programs" in which case Microsoft would also sue Amazon, Blockbuster, Disney, etc.
@TheAngryIntern
Actually I think ReplayTV did...Tivo just won the consumer battle (sorta like VHS vs Betamax).
I've had Tivo for years and love it, but I also use Windows Media Center with my 360 as an HD-DVR. I love them both really. I just wish everyone could just get along.
@Jimi oh, yeah...forgot about ReplayTV
The patent system is a freaking joke...it's really getting out of hand.
The reason why att is suing tivo is because tivo is suing att over their dvr boxes wich run microsofts software. So microsoft is essentially sticking up for ATT stating that tivo also infringes a couple of its patents.
One of the patents microsoft states tivo infringes relates to buying shows and content from the box.
Also microsoft has been doing media related stuff since windows 95 with media player and has dvr funtionality inside windows since atleast windows xp media center. Maybe even before that .
So this isnt microsoft being a bully. Its microsoft sticking up for its patents VS a bully (tivo).
Blame Tivo barking up the wrong tree.
@majortom1981
HOW DARE YOU USE TRUTH AND LOGIC!
No one seems to read anymore. Secondarily no one seems to realize that most systems are made up of subsystems which some or all may or may not have individual patents. In other words, everybody licenses a bit of this and that to make a complete product. The problem being is that somethings are patented that should be. TIVO does not want AT&T Uverse to have the ability to do time shifting. Simply to be able to fast forward and rewind any live TV that is playing on one of their boxes. Right now the only way you can do that on the Uverse system is that you must have recorded the program first.
TIVO sued AT&T to keep them from using this "technology" which in truth is not a technology it is a idea, a process, it freaking fast forwarding through commercials or rewinding live TV to see a replay. It is not TIVO's code or software, it is a freaking concept. SOOOOO... Microsoft is suing TIVO over the use of MICROSOFT'S concepts. It stupid. Microsoft knows it, AT&T knows it and they are trying to show TIVO that they are just as vunerable to being sued.
AT&T is waiting to implement this feature on all Uverse clients when and if they win this suit or it is dismissed. If not, they may have to licenses the concept from TIVO. This sounds like a small thing, but it is a HUGE feature for people who use DVRs. I have been holding back on Uverse because of it.
IMO ... TIVO is the one who is being the j@ckA$$ about it all.
@gmcboot
Um, I have U-verse, and I can pause, rewind, and fast forward live TV as I please. Not sure where you're getting that from.
Given how TiVo raped EchoStar for this same exact reason, I say TiVo's getting exactly what they deserve.
@jgp
Ah, don't you mean EchoStar raped TiVo, then TiVo sought recourse and won?
I wouldn't say TiVo is getting what they deserve as they're perfectly aware that this kind of thing can happen when aggressively defending one's IP.
Im going to Patent "An electronic device that runs on an electronic current." and sue anyone that tries to make something electrical
The patents at issue:
6,008,803 – http://tinyurl.com/yzfx69d
6,055,314 – http://tinyurl.com/yzjhoye
Patent 6,008,803 looks like it could cover TiVo's "Browse by time" and/or "Browse by channel" menus. TiVo could probably eliminate that feature or implement it differently.
@bkdtv
Both of those look like patents for stuff that was already around for years and years. Both filed in 1996? Don't think those are going anywhere.
As if TiVO needed to be litigated against; those crapwares are so out of date they are doomed to fail on their own!