[mythtv-users] tivo patents cover mythtv?

[Dean Collins]

Myth-Tv ownership should be transferred to an entity outside of the USA
where it can continue to operate unencumbered by the issue of software
patents.

As there is no revenue model for the current ownership this isn't
something that should bother them.

In addition as there is no revenue model there is no real way for Tivo
to block distribution of the myth-tv source code from an external to the
USA location to usa citizen unlike the transportation of a physical item
(eg the nokia case against apple).

This is the last I can say on the matter but this is how it should be
approached and must be done before any lawsuit occurs. 

 

 


-----Original Message-----
From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
[mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org] On Behalf Of jedi
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 12:03 PM
To: Discussion about mythtv
Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] tivo patents cover mythtv?

On Sat, Mar 06, 2010 at 11:24:14AM -0500, robert Larson wrote:
> IMHO:
> 
> I highly doubt it. I don't think the mythv developers ripped off code
> from Tivo. They have better things to do.....

   The problem with patents is that you don't need to rip off anything.

   The patent allows the "owner" to shake you down for stuff that you
developed
on your own without any awareness of the other work. Even if you
re-invented the
thing yourself in isolation, they still "own" it.

   So there is some really nasty potential here.

   Tivo Corp is obviously willing to sue over these patents. You don't
even
have to win the lawsuit to ruin someone's day. Just the suit itself will
be
a terrible bother. It remains to be seen whether they choose to sue any
of
the PC vendors or Free Software authors.

[deletia]
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