TiVo And Replay Networks License Microvision Copy Protection
Macrovision Corporation has announced that TiVo, Inc. and Replay Networks, Inc. are now licensed to incorporate Macrovisionís copy protection technology within their recently introduced digital video recorders. TiVo and Replay set-top boxes can be programmed by consumers to automatically search for and time shift a limited number of hours of television programming onto non-removable hard disk drives for later playback with full control. Both companiesí recorders and services allow consumers to simultaneously view and record ""live"" television programs making it possible to pause, rewind an dsubsequently fast forward programs as they are broadcast by television stations, cable networks and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) systems. Both the TiVO and Replay Networks recorders will incorporate a detection circuit capable of determining if an incoming analog video program has been encoded by a copyright owner with Macrovisionís proprietary copy protection process. After the program passses through the detection circuit it is conerted into digital video and stored on a hard disk drive to await playback. Once the stored digital video is converted back to analog video or playback on a conventional TV set, an integrated circuit re-encoes the Microvision copy protection process onto programs to help prevent the recording of permanent copies. ""We are pleased that TiVo and Replay have taken steps to help coprfitht owners receive fair value for their Macrovision-encoded pay-per-view programs. The decision to license our technology will help prevent the permanent recording of copy protected programs so they will not be played over and over again merly for the price of a blank tape,"" said Tom Carroux, Director of Pay-Per-View Copy Protection at Macrovision Corporation. Macrovision is best known for the videocassette version of its copy protection technlogy, which is used by every Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) studio on some or al of their videocassette releases. According to the company, Macrovisionís copy protection process is incorporated into almost 90 eprcent of al digital set-top decoders ñ over 15 million worldwide ñ to help protect programs from unauthorized copying. It also has been incorporated in 100 percent of all DVD-Video players and DVD-ROM drives and is utilized on over 75 percen of all DVDs produced in the past year ñ more than 20 million DVDs in total. ""From TiVoís inception we have embraced an industry-inclusive business model that includes support for partners from all facets of the television industry. Because we use leading-edge design and technology, we are pleased to support Macrovision in all devices TiVo and its partners ship. Macrovisionís move into this new personal TV category reinforces their leadership position in intellectual property protection,"" said Ta-Wei Chien, vice President of Engineering and Operations at TiVo, Inc. Jim Plant, Director of Marketing for Replay Networks, said, ""With ReplayTV and Replay Network Service, people can find, capture and watch television programs whenever they want. These innovations are a boon to consumers and change the way people watch television. At the same time we want to work with the programming community, so by incorporating Macorvisionís technology into our recorders we are able to provide programmers with some assurance that the long-term value of their programs is safeguarded."" For more information, contact Denise Link at TiVo, Inc. 408 747 5078, dlink@tivo.com and Jim Plant at Replay Networks 650 210 1042, jim@replaytv.com.