TiVo Files Suit Against AT&T, Verizon

ALVISO: TiVo has lodged complaints against telcos AT&T and Verizon Communications for patent infringements relating to its DVR technology, seeking damages and permanent injunctions.

The complaints are similar to the suit TiVo filed against satellite pay-TV platform DISH Network. TiVo was awarded damages in that legal action and secured an injunction, but DISH is in the midst of an appeal.

In the new complaints filed in Texas, TiVo cites infringements of three DVR technology patents in set-top boxes being rolled out by AT&T’s U-Verse pay-TV system and Verizon’s FiOS platform.

In related news, the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has said that DISH’s request for a reexamination of TiVo’s patent can proceed. DISH said in a statement that it believes the PTO’s decision will "result in a Final Office Action invalidating the software claims of Tivo’s patent. These software claims are the very same claims that EchoStar was found to have infringed in the contempt ruling now pending on appeal."