Standard Def’s Last Stand (In Dave’s Bedroom)

I may doubt the necessity of 1080p and HD DVD at these prices and with limited content, but the fact is I’m down to a lone standard definition setup (the 9″ kitchen TV doesn’t count) holed up in the bedroom. TV I picked up this 32″ JVC about 6 years ago when Consumer Reports recommended … Read more

TiVo Updates Privacy Policy, Leaks Feature

TiVo’s having a bad week… first they prematurely announce their Blockbuster partnership and now they’ve inadvertently disclosed Guru Guides. But don’t take my word for it; go check your TiVo messages for the updated privacy policy notification. What are Guru Guides, you ask? I have no idea. The obvious guess is some sort of VOD … Read more

Evolution Of The Netflix Envelope

Business 2.0 has a cool little write-up and gallery of Netflix envelopes evolving over the years… Story here, pictures here. Years of experimentation went into creating the perfect DVD envelope. In 1999, Netflix started out with a heavy cardboard mailer. With only 100,000 subscribers, costs weren’t a concern yet. Then the company experimented with plastic … Read more

TiVo’s Law Firm Chimes In

As you know, TiVo came away with a huge patent victory versus Echostar last week. The judge hasn’t yet ruled on increasing damages for willful infringement, and not only hasn’t an injunction been awarded but apparently TiVo hadn’t even requested it as of Wednesday. Could settlement/licensing talks be going on outside of court? Regardless, TiVo’s legal team is tooting their horn this morning…

Apr 21, 2006 08:45 ET

Irell & Manella Trial Team Secures $74 Million Patent Infringement Verdict for DVR Market Leader TiVo

Jury’s finding of willful infringement by EchoStar means damages could be trebled

LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 21 — In a closely-watched trial involving one of the most popular forms of technology in the home entertainment market, law firm Irell & Manella LLP represented TiVo Inc. in its $74 million patent infringement verdict against EchoStar Communications Corp.

On April 13, a Marshall, Texas jury concluded that EchoStar had willfully infringed TiVo’s patent on its “time-warp” technology for digital video recorders (known as DVRs). Despite two weeks of testimony about complex technology and patent issues, the jurors needed only two hours and fifteen minutes of deliberations to reach the unanimous verdict.

The finding of willful infringement exposes EchoStar to potential treble damages. In addition, EchoStar faces a potential injunction that would preclude it from further distribution of infringing DVRs. TiVo’s general counsel Matthew Zinn noted after the trial that an injunction would be even more meaningful than the sheer dollar award.

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Have a Slingbox? Wanna be on TV?

If you’re a photogenic Slingbox owner living in the DC area, check out this television opportunity posted to the Sling Community. We have an interesting media opportunity coming up, and I would like to recruit a greater DC-area Slingbox owner to get a chance to participate in it! Here are the requirements: You must be … Read more

Nielsen Television Commercial Survey

I was asked to participate in an online Nielsen survey evaluating two television commercials. I don’t watch many commercials these days thanks to TiVo and Netflix, but figured I’d take the time since Nielsen would inadvertently compensate me with a post. ;)

The first was a short, innocuous ad for Glad Press’n Seal which was could be pretty interesting if you’re into new forms of cling wrap. I generally avoid the kitchen and have a feeling Glad charges a premium, so I wasn’t overly compelled to go shopping.

The second commercial was for Celebrex, that prescription pain medication. I wasn’t paying very close attention until they said one possible side effect is death. I’m not an advertising expert, but it seems to me if your product may kill someone and you’re legally bound to disclose that… maybe, just maybe, a television commercial isn’t the correct venue for advertising. The Nielsen survey did ask if I would request Celebrex from my doctor (no) and what I remembered most from the commercial (death).

It’s also worth pointing out the freaky pictograms (see below) used to describe my emotional response. I’m not entirely sure what that middle one with the sunny-side-up-egg-in-stomach indicates, though the explosion clearly represents IBS.

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Interesting News Dave Hasn’t Covered

I just couldn’t seem to find the time… Philips patents digital flags to prevent channel changing or content advancing during commercials. (New Scientist) The facts and fiction of 1080p. (Team Xbox) Podcasts outnumber radio stations. (eWeek) Windows Media Player 11 to be released this summer. (Thomas Hawk) Portable VLC released. (PortableApps) Windows smart-phone maker HTC … Read more

TiVo Two-Times Netflix, Promotes Blockbuster

Rumor has it the TiVo sales call center is going 24/7, so I did a little poking around the TiVo store last night and uncovered a new partnership with Blockbuster. Netflix has stated there “is no work going on” in relation to TiVo, so why not play the field? For about $10 – $15 more … Read more