CEA: "AutoHop" is protected tech

The Consumer Electronics Association has voted in support of Dish Network's "AutoHop" commercial-skipping technology.

Dish Network is currently in multiple lawsuits against CBS and other major broadcasters over a number of different issues.

The issue at hand is Dish's DVR, The Hopper, and its ability to skip commercials automatically during recording. Quite obviously, the broadcast world is up in arms as the entire industry relies on advertising revenue to cover the cost of its shows.

Says the CEA (via Cnet): "In sum and substance, the Hopper merely enables the consumer to perform the same actions as the old VCRs or other DVRs, just more efficiently." CEA, in their brief, cite Sony v. Universal City Studios, which ruled it was legal to record TV programming for personal use and that recordings are not liable for copyright infringement. The group adds, "making television easier to watch is not against the law. It is simply pro-innovation and pro-consumer."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 27 Jan 2013 10:55

Notcow

Nice. Good on Dish, I hadn't even heard of this device.

27.1.2013 12:53 #1

Interestx

I remember the old VHS video PDC (programme delivery control) system.
It too was supposed to let us skip ads as we recorded as 1 of its features.
Thanks to industry lobbying it ended up only as a recording cue system so programmes running early or late told the video deck & it could take that into account rather than merely follow the rules the timer set.

I've no doubt the bar-stewards will try similar here.
Especially in the current climate where it seems any recording is seen as a copyright breech (I can't help wondering what they reckon to the 'copy-out' function?).

Like as if anyone watches the ads when you record anything anyway.
Bunch of nasty small minded idiot d**ks.

27.1.2013 15:51 #2

PraisesToAllah

What's the big deal? I skip the commercials on my Cable company's DVR anyways.

27.1.2013 18:22 #3

hearme0

Eh.......I'm all about skipping commercials BUT.....it needs to be done solely by the consumer that bought the DVR and not by an automated process that skips them.

Commercials are IN FACT the means to pay for programming and people need to recognize and respect that.

28.1.2013 14:44 #4

dansi (unverified)

28.1.2013 16:18 #5

Hopium

Originally posted by hearme0: Eh.......I'm all about skipping commercials BUT.....it needs to be done solely by the consumer that bought the DVR and not by an automated process that skips them.

Commercials are IN FACT the means to pay for programming and people need to recognize and respect that. lol @ this astroturfer. when i pay for my tv service i decide what i can do with the stream that comes into my home. something doing what i would do automatically isn't somehow making less of of it. THE FACTs ARE: we already pay for the television service advertising is double dipping. if you wanna serve me ads give me free content hulu style or gtfo.

28.1.2013 16:51 #6

Jemborg

It can only do it during recording?

Can't it blank the screen or show a nice beach scene with some elevator muzac?

Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

31.1.2013 10:31 #7

Notcow

Originally posted by hearme0: Eh.......I'm all about skipping commercials BUT.....it needs to be done solely by the consumer that bought the DVR and not by an automated process that skips them.

Commercials are IN FACT the means to pay for programming and people need to recognize and respect that. It's not that I don't like to watch commercials. I don't but that's not my justification for blocking them. I understand that there are some services which need my ad revenue to operate (Afterdawn, for instance)

But Comcast? Time Warner? They already charge consumers through the ass and out the nose, and make ad revenue ON TOP OF THAT, all while delivering drastically subpar service just because. Hopefully that'll all be unmasked by the on-the-horizon Google Fiber.

There is no justification for them.

31.1.2013 10:40 #8

hearme0

Originally posted by dansi: Originally posted by hearme0: Eh.......I'm all about skipping commercials BUT.....it needs to be done solely by the consumer that bought the DVR and not by an automated process that skips them.

Commercials are IN FACT the means to pay for programming and people need to recognize and respect that. It has nothing to do with respect at all, the reality is that nobody likes to watch commercials, and this makes life easier, what's wrong with that? It has EVERYTHING to do with respect!!!

I don't like paying for things all the time but I don't go out and circumvent all security measures or just outright steal what I want just because "I don't like paying for it".

You're thick headed and I can't believe I'm wasting time on responding to you and your lame assed, retarded outlook.

Keep living your life according to you and you only and see what happens. Not good things.

I'm guessing you pirate rampantly too, never buying anything and never contributing back to society. AKA - leeching

31.1.2013 14:51 #9

Jemborg

Originally posted by hearme0: Originally posted by dansi:
It has nothing to do with respect at all, the reality is that nobody likes to watch commercials, and this makes life easier, what's wrong with that? It has EVERYTHING to do with respect!!! Would you mind if the gadget could just turn ads down to a dull roar... out of respect to the consumer???

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Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

31.1.2013 19:52 #10

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