DISH Scores Another Win in Hopper Case

ENGLEWOOD: The U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld a previous ruling to reject Fox Broadcasting Company's efforts to stop DISH subscribers from using two place-shifting features.

The issue is with the DISH Anywhere and Hopper Transfers services found on DISH's Hopper Whole-Home DVR platform. DISH Anywhere uses Sling technology to provide customers with the ability to remotely view TV signals from a single Internet-connected device. The Hopper Transfers feature allows a customer to move or duplicate certain Hopper DVR recordings made by the customer to an iPad, with no Internet connection needed.

Fox Broadcast Company previously tried to bar the services, though in September 2013 the courts sided with DISH.

R. Stanton Dodge, DISH's executive VP and general counsel, said: “Today’s decision is the fifth in a string of victories for consumers related to our Hopper Whole-Home DVR platform. DISH is pleased that the Court has sided again with consumer choice and control by rejecting Fox’s efforts to deny our customers access to the DISH Anywhere and Hopper Transfers features. Last year, the Ninth Circuit also rejected Fox’s attempt to block customers from using the AutoHop and PrimeTime Anytime features. We will continue to vigorously defend consumers’ right to choice and control over their viewing experience.”