Microsoft Sues TiVo To Help AT&T

Julie188 writes "Microsoft is suing TiVo, claiming patent infringement. Microsoft is doing this because TiVo has sued AT&T — and AT&T happens to be Microsoft's largest customer of Microsoft's Mediaroom IPTV technology. Microsoft says that TiVo has copied Microsoft's Mediaroom IPTV technology in its DVRs. If Microsoft wins, it would effectively block TiVo from selling DVRs without a licensing deal with Microsoft."

Comments

Patent infringement is a nuclear weapon

[amn108]

You gotta love how companies have found exactly what to do with patent infringements - put them in a bag and keep them stored away well under room temperature until the right moment when these can be enjoyed - such as, at a time when they can be used to scare or threaten competitors or help achieve a goal. Patent infringement is not patent infringement until such time when it can be exploited to the limit.

Humans are so damn smart it is scary.

Re:Patent infringement is a nuclear weapon

[Jeng]

Devils Advocate.
Hard to know if something infringes on your patent if you don't know the implementation.

Tivo's lawsuit against AT&T gave Microsoft the groundwork necessary to compare how Tivo's system works in comparison to Microsoft's system. /Devils Advocate

Hoist on their own petard...

[jedidiah]

Live by the patent, die by the patent...

The same nonsense that allowed Tivo to run amok is now being turned back against it.

None of these shenanigans should be tolerated by anyone at all.