TiVo, ReplayTV Make Their Devices Less Useful
from the thanks dept
TiVo and ReplayTV have both announced plans to incorporate copy protection technology in their boxes that would let content providers set content to "expire." The idea is to protect movie makers who are afraid to release movies to PPV channels where they could be recorded by users who then choose not to buy the DVD -- or at least that's the theory. However, as is pointed out in the article, this is a "feature" that makes the device less useful to people. They buy it in order to record stuff to watch it on their schedule, not the broadcasters'. By limiting that, the devices become less useful. Once again, instead of embracing what the technology can do to get more people to watch their content, they're taking a backwards step, making their content less useful. While TiVo and Replay will claim they need to do this, that's not true. If they're smart, others will come along, refusing to take away features from customers.
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Or customers will come along and create their own products to do what businesses are afraid to do.
With the wide and quick availability of programming on the internet, Tivo and it's ilk are becoming obsolete very quickly.
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On the other hand...
While you may feel that having forced expiry on content stored on the device only harms consumers, I would be willing to argue that it creates more incentive for broadcasters to provide content in the first place.
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Re: On the other hand...
Unfortunately I don't believe this to be a likely incentive. Content will always be provided; adapted, reclaimed, imitated, and syndicated.
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The sad thing is that replay (sonic blue) did understand this and tried to stand for the consumers, innovation and well profits through that and so they where sued into oblivion. Given that the pathetic sniveling and kowtowing to media industries is somewhat understandable, but look at where it leads... Tivo had to go to courts and ask permission to innovate because the sports media conglomerate has an archaic model and didn't like what Tivo had on the table, going to court for simple innovation for the user? Madness.
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In other words, it will never thwart fully the activity it is intended to thwart.
It is a very surprising move, given TiVo's shaky financial status.
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