[mythtv-users] Tivo suing everyone in sight over DVR patents

[Steve Hodge]

On Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 7:08 PM, Simon Hobson <linux at thehobsons.co.uk>wrote:

> However, this is the dangerous part - there is nothing at all to stop TiVo
> suing the developers, nothing at all. The case could well be thrown out with
> prejudice at the first hearing, but that would still cost the defendants
> (probably a fair amount) to arrive at that hearing suitably prepared. Tivo
> would be very stupid to do so though, they would know that they would lose,
> and that would a) cost them, and b) put them at a disadvantage in future
> cases against others. That's probably the only restraining factor.
>

The restraining factor is that the MythTV developers are unlikely to have
the sort of money that  Tivo are looking to make from these suits. They were
awarded $100M against Dish Network - that's the sort of money they're after.
Sure they wouldn't want their patent busted for prior art, but since the
Dish Network didn't manage to do that I doubt Tivo'd be worried about the
MythTV devs doing it.

If Tivo just wanted to shut MythTV down they'd start by sending C&D letters.

Cheers,
Steve
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