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| [January 25, 2013] |
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CEA and Leading Tech Groups Support the Dish Hopper
ARLINGTON, Va. --(Business Wire)--
Last evening, the Consumer Electronics Association (News - Alert) (CEA®),
along with the Computer and Communications Industry Association and the
Internet Association, filed a joint amicus brief in the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in support of Dish Networks ("Dish"). Dish
is being sued by broadcasters who claim the "Hopper," a digital video
recorder with ad-skipping technology violates copyright law as it allows
recording and playback of programming 24-hours later without
commercials.�CEA believes that the Dish Hopper DVR is fully covered by
the Supreme Court's ruling in Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City
Studios Inc. As the brief states, "[R]ecording for personal, private
viewing does not infringe; nor does declining to watch commercials. …
There is simply no precedent for finding consumer copyright
liability where, as here, recordings stay in the home, are made
portable, or otherwise remain under the control of the consumer who made
them."
The following statement can be attributed to CEA President and CEO Gary
Shapiro:
"Almost 30 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Sony that
personal, private non-commercial use of video programming is legal, and
products that have significant legal uses may not be blocked by
copyright owners. Today, broadcasters seek to reverse this Supreme Court
decision and kill what is essentially a new generation of VCR.�The
Hopper is more convenient to use and has more storage capacity, but has
the same essential function - it allows viewers to time-shift and watch
television programming at their convenience. The simple fact is, making
television easier to watch is not against the law. It is simply
po-innovation and pro-consumer.
"With this lawsuit, the Hopper joins the Betamax in the long list of
products that entrenched industries have insisted would harm them. In
reality, the VCR, the DVR, the SlingBox and other innovative consumer
technology products have expanded the market for content and presented
ninja content innovators with new business opportunities.
"The Hopper is an exciting new product that will make television viewing
easier and likely encourage viewers to watch more TV. The editors at
respected technology website CNET even named the most recent iteration
of the Hopper�'Best of CES' (News - Alert)�(although CNET's parent company, broadcaster
CBS, forced them to lie about and rescind the award). Broadcasters
should try innovating rather than litigating, and proactively offer
their viewers the best and most up-to-date television experience that
includes enabling�consumers to view their favorite programs when, where
and how they want."
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade
association promoting growth in the $209 billion U.S. consumer
electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of
CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research,
technical training and education, industry promotion, standards
development and the fostering of business and strategic
relationships.�CEA also owns and produces the International CES - The
Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into
CEA's industry services.�Find CEA online at www.CE.org,
www.DeclareInnovation.com
and through social media: https://www.facebook.com/#!/CEAfeed,
http://twitter.com/ceafeed,
http://blog.ce.org/.
UPCOMING EVENTS
-
Economic Retreat
March 8-10, 2013, Snowmass, CO
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CES on the Hill
April 16, 2013, Washington, D.C.
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Technology & Standards Spring Forum
May 20-24, 2013,
Denver, CO
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CE Week
June 24-28, 2013, New York, NY
-
2013 CEA Industry Forum
October 20-23, 2013, Los Angeles,
CA (News - Alert)
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