June 10th, 2010 
Brian Thompson DISH Network Corp. and Echostar Corp. has scored a legal victory over TiVo after the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ruled that TiVo Inc.’s patent claims over DISH Networks “time-warp” digital video recorder technology were null and void.
This ruling came after a second re-examination of the patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Both DISH Network and Echostar praised this ruling highly. TiVo, after facing this legal setback said that it would follow up with additional arguments.
Though this ruling doesn’t put a stop to the TiVo vs. DISH Network legal battle over satellite TV DVR in a patent infringement case, it brings about a slight change in the same. The case which has leaned heavily in TiVo’s favor and could still lead to the satellite companies paying damages to TiVo has got a small twist in it.
Earlier TiVo has won a lower appeals court ruling against DISH Network that says the satellite TV provider has violated its DVR patents. However, a higher appeals court recently said it would review the case.
DISH Network L.L.C and EchoStar Technologies; have issued the following statement concerning recent developments in TiVo vs. EchoStar Communications Corporation legal battle:
“We are pleased the Patent and Trademark Office issued a Final Office Action maintaining its rejection of the software claims of TiVo’s patent. These software claims are the same claims that EchoStar was found to have infringed in the contempt ruling now pending for en banc review by the Federal Circuit. In the Final Office Action, three examiners of the PTO considered TiVo’s response and, in a detailed 32-page decision, finally concluded that the software claims were unpatentable in view of two prior art references.”
Congratulations DISH Network!
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