There was already no love lost between Verizon and Cablevision, who are engaged in a heated competitive battle in the NY Metro market. Verizon’s now upped the ante, and according to Light Reading has filed suit against Cablevision for violating five DVR patents. As is usually the case in these patent fights, several of the patents are incredibly vague and broad, like technology that “allows users to navigate available programs by channel, and through the selection of an anchor channel, by category.”
According to Verizon, these patent violations are causing “immediate and irreparable harm to Verizon’s business.”
So let me get this straight…
Cablevision is violating patents Verizon has held in boxes they haven’t changed in over six years (long before Verizon even thought of offering television) that are incredibly vague as to apply to every DVR offering by every cable company, satellite provider, and even TiVo themselves.
Wow. Guess that whole not being able to afford to continue their buildout thing is starting to make them a bit desperate so now they’re going to sue their way into a few more bucks.