United Video Properties Nabs TV Playlist Patent

spinozaq writes "It seems that an organization called 'United Video Properties, Inc.' has been granted patent #6,748,596, titled 'Program guide system for recording television programs.' IANAPL, but this document seems to cover too much ground, talking about pay programs and PIN numbers for parental controls. Maybe they'll sue TiVo, oh hurray."

Sad State of Patents in the US

[Goyuix]

You know, as a member of our capitalist society, I certainly appreciate laws that allow me to protect my work (be it the GPL or something else) - but honestly it seems like ridiculous patent after ridiculous patent seem to be pouring through the office.

While I think patents can be a reasonable thing - there is rampant abuse of the system and really no way for public comment. Why on earth should I trust an office full of overworked and eternally swamped clerks to give such broad legal rights out? Seriously, if the end of capitalism is coming it seems fairly clear that litigation will be the vehicle and patents their fuel.

"Oh, hurray"?

[Rick the Red]

What have you got against TiVo? Besides, if they sue TiVo, they'll sue everyone else, too. [slashdot.org]

Re:"Oh, hurray"?

[NiceGeek]

um..he was being sarcastic.

TiVo is not prior art...

[cft_128]

I don't think TiVo could be considered prior art. The cited patent refers to patent 6,141,488 from September 5, 1997 that seems to cover a lot of what is at issue. TiVo itself was founded in 1997 as well, so no good news there. Not to sure about that VCR+Gold stuff that some RCA appliances had, I have no idea how old that is and all of its capabilities are but I believe it has electronic schedule distribution with some sort of interactive guide for choosing what programs to record.

IANAL but I seem to recall someone else mentioning if a patent was not enforced for 6 years (e.g. a company let others infringe on their patents for more than 6 years) then some sort of statute of limitations has passed...this [ehow.com] seems to back up my memory. That implies that TiVo might be off the hook unless the lawsuit has already been filed or they have licensed it already.

Prior Art Discovered!!

[ObsessiveMathsFreak]

Sorry guys. Looks like Sky+ [sky.com] beat you to it.

Oh yeah and videoplus/VCR+ too. If fact people giving their techhie kids clear instructions on what to tape, for when they go on holidays have also beaten you too it.

What's that you say? It uses a computer?!
Oh well in that case of course you can patent it. Don't forget to file a patent for "Displaying images using a computer controlled device" and "Use of a software controlled device to add two numbers"

Remember here at the US Patent office the old dirty word is

VCR+, TVGuide.com

[Marxist Hacker 42]

Combine the two and you've got plenty of prior art going back to the early 1990s.

A look at a similar European patent.

[Gordon Bennett]

From the European Patent Office, this one by Pioneer does basically the same thing (no mention of VCR recording):

http://l2.espacenet.com/espacenet/viewer?PN=EP1 3 26 437&CY=gb&LG=en&DB=EPD

Bless the USPTO - I can see that, in a handful of years time, while we are on the bridge of a sub-light-speed cruiser slipping along to some galaxy, that the only reason we're on the ship is that everyone has evacuated a patent-ridden earth, where only patent attorneys and IP accountants remain.

And we will sa