The FCC has approved TiVo's technology protection of digital broadcast television, allowing customers to send recorded programming over the Internet.
The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday approved technology allowing TiVo subscribers to send copies of recorded shows over the Internet, a practice Hollywood and major leaguesports leagues are opposed to.
The FCC determined that digital broadcast television content should be protected, but that protection should still enable it to be accessed over the Internet so long as that access does not lead to mass indiscriminate redistribution of programs over the Internet. The technology would allow a TiVo subscriber to download broadcasts to a computer and send copies of recorded shows over the Internet to an office or home or to a small circle of friends, as long as they are on the subscriber’s registered account.
According to TiVo, this certification will provide the company the opportunity to develop innovative technologies that provide consumers more ways to enjoy digital content.
“TiVo has always tried to maintain an appropriate balance between consumer interests and the rights of content providers,” TiVo CEO Mike Ramsay said. “We look forward to working with the industry to develop new technologies that provide a great entertainment experience for consumers while protecting the rights of content providers.”
The Motion Picture Association of America, the National Football League and others opposed to the new service contend that it will allow TiVo’s 1.6 million subscribers to redistribute shows over the Internet to anyone, anywhere.
The NFL’s major concern is the potential for users to send recorded football games to areas where the game is “blacked-out” and not broadcast.
With the technology, recorded shows will be encrypted with what is called a “broadcast flag,” approved by the FCC last year, which prevents widespread distribution of the recordings. The technology, which Tivo calls “remote access” is not implemented into any services or hardware yet, but could be included in its new “TiVoToGo” service planned for the fall.
