01.25.11
Microsoft is Trying to Embargo Linux-based TiVo, Using Patents (and Intellectual Ventures’ Role Recalled)
Summary: In addition to anti-TiVo patent cases that are fueled by Intellectual Ventures, Microsoft attempts to ban TiVo imports
A READER has just recommended that we run this news story about Microsoft’s ITC referral which targets TiVo. To clarify by pointing to a previous post about the subject, the lawsuit is not about Linux, but it helps block a Linux-powered device:
Wannabe ARM BFF Microsoft Corp. has recently filed a complaint with the US ITC (International Trade Commission) through which it claims that TiVo’s products infringe four of its patents that relate to program schedules and selection, interface, and rating-based DVR restrictions.
This is also covered in:
- Microsoft Asks Court To Ban Tivo DVRs
- Microsoft files US trade complaint against TiVo
- Microsoft sues Tivo again
- Microsoft Suit Seeks to Bar TiVo Set-Top Boxes
- Microsoft Files Complaint to Stop TiVo From Importing TV Set-Top Boxes
- Microsoft sues TiVo again over patents
- Microsoft hits replay on TiVo patent suit
- Microsoft files ITC complaint against TiVo
- Microsoft Files Trade Complaint Against TiVo
- Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Files US Trade Lawsuit for Patent Infringement…
- Microsoft Challenges TiVo DVR Technology Claiming Patent Infringement
- Microsoft Files Patent Infringement Suits Against TiVo
- Microsoft: Keep TiVo Out of the US
- Microsoft Sues to Stop TiVo from Importing Devices to US
- Microsoft Submits Trade Complaint Against TiVo
- Microsoft suing TiVo for patent infringement
- Microsoft Files Patent Lawsuit Vs TiVo Again
- Microsoft Files Trade Complaint Against TiVo
- TiVo Faces ITC Complaint from Microsoft
- Microsoft wants to block TiVo from US
- Microsoft set to battle TiVo in court
- Microsoft asks the ITC to ban TiVo imports
- Microsoft Moves to Block TiVo Imports
- Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Asks Courts To Bar Ti-Vo
- Microsoft sues TiVo again over patents
There is not much interpretation to present here other than what we wrote about this case before. That said, Microsoft’s patent troll Intellectual Ventures is also having TiVo sued indirectly, so maybe it’s a group effort to eliminate competition (same grouping seen in the anti-Android case). █
TemporalBeing said,
January 26, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Wonder what MS was thinking…TiVo is one of the two original DVR makers – the other being SonicBlue/ReplayTV – which at least according to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReplayTV – not necessarily reliable) primarily belongs to DirectTV now.
So it should be relatively trivial for TiVo to show those patents are invalid due to prior art, etc. Well, the world will be better off with 4 less MS patents…
Dr. Roy Schestowitz Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Or without patents altogether. It’s a huge overhead that adds no value unless you graduate from law school.