[mythtv-users] tivo patents cover mythtv?

[Simon Hobson]

Brian Wood wrote:

>I believe the DVR offerings from the cable companies are paying royalties,
>while DISH is claiming their DVR-Receivers do not infringe, hence the suit
>against DISH and not the cable company offerings.
>
>Cable companies don't pay out money lightly, if they saw fit to pay royalties
>they must believe the patent is valid, and their devices do invade the patent
>space.

Not necessarily - all it means is that they don't believe it's worth 
the cost (not just in cash, but also in lost sales due to loss of 
reputation and customer uncertainty) of fighting it. Lets say (just 
picking random numbers) they estimate the cost of the licence will be 
$25k, but it would cost $100k to fight the case - they may decide, 
with no guarantee of success, that they might as well just pay up the 
protection money and be done with it.

So when you read that one company has settled and agreed to pay 
royalties on another's patent - it doesn't actually mean the patent 
is valid or that the payer accepts that it is. Though of course, the 
patent holder would like you to believe that is the case.

-- 
Simon Hobson

WANTED: "Software CD ROM Kit" for Canon CLBP 360-PS printer (Canon 
part no RH6-3612, or possibly RH6-3810, or RH6-3610 might do). I've a 
dead HD and need this CD so I can replace the disk and re-install the 
printer OS on it.
This is NOT the same thing as the printer drivers to load on the 
computer - there's no problem there.
If anyone knows where I might get hold of one I'd be grateful - 
requests to Canon drew a blank, it's been out of support for years.
Alternatively, if anyone has one of these and would let me image 
their hard disk ...

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author Gladys Hobson. Novels - poetry - short stories - ideal as
Christmas stocking fillers. Some available as e-books.