ALVISO, Calif., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO),
the creator of and a leader in television services and advertising solutions
for digital video recorders (DVRs), indicated today that on August 3, 2009,
the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) issued an Office action
with respect to Claims 31 and 61of TiVo's Multimedia Timewarping System
patent, U.S. patent number 6,233,389 (the "Barton Patent"), preliminarily
rejecting the patent claims. TiVo offered the following comment on the PTO
preliminary finding:
"The Office action is a preliminary finding, entered in the normal
course before TiVo has had any opportunity to present its views. TiVo
believes that the PTO's preliminary finding will not affect
EchoStar's appeal of the June 2009 ruling by the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of Texas finding EchoStar to
be in contempt of court."
"This is an initial step in the lengthy process known as
'reexamination,' and it is not unusual for the PTO to provide a
preliminary finding of invalidity and to then later find that the
claims are valid after hearing an explanation from the patent
owner. Indeed, this is precisely what happened with the first
reexamination of the Barton Patent that EchoStar filed in 2005. Among
other things, the next step in the reexamination process provides
TiVo, for the first time, the opportunity to discuss and distinguish
the references presented by EchoStar, and to present new claims."
About TiVo Inc.
Founded in 1997, TiVo (Nasdaq: TIVO) pioneered a brand new category of
products with the development of the first commercially available digital
video recorder (DVR). Sold through leading consumer electronic retailers and
our website, TiVo has developed a brand which resonates boldly with consumers
as providing a superior television experience. Through agreements with leading
satellite and cable providers, TiVo also integrates its DVR service features
into the set-top boxes of mass distributors. TiVo's DVR functionality and ease
of use, with such features as Season Pass(TM) recordings and WishList
searches and TiVo KidZone, have elevated its popularity among consumers and
have created a whole new way for viewers to watch television. With a continued
investment in its patented technologies, TiVo is revolutionizing the way
consumers watch and access home entertainment. Rapidly becoming the focal
point of the digital living room, TiVo's DVR is at the center of experiencing
new forms of content on the TV, such as broadband delivered video, music and
photos. With innovative features, such as TiVoToGo(TM) transfers and online
scheduling, TiVo is expanding the notion of consumers experiencing "TiVo, TV
your way. " The TiVo service is also at the forefront of providing
innovative marketing solutions for the television industry, including a unique
platform for advertisers and audience research measurement.
TiVo, 'TiVo, TV your way.', Season Pass, WishList, TiVoToGo, Stop||Watch,
Power||Watch, and the TiVo Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of
TiVo Inc. or its subsidiaries worldwide. 2009 TiVo Inc. All rights reserved.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE TiVo Inc.
-0- 08/04/2009
CONTACT:
Erik Milster of Sloane & Company,
+1-212-446-1866, for TiVo
Web Site: http://www.tivo.com
