What happened to you, Cartoon Network?
You used to be so cool?
Seriously, I thought the whole time-shifting debate was settled a long time ago. Now it seems Cartoon Network, along with several other media companies, are trying to reframe the debate.
Essentially, the broadcast companies are accusing Cablevision of copyright infringement in their implementation of their Digital Video Recording (DVR) service. The data itself would be stored on Cablevision’s servers, not on local customer DVRs. Cartoon Network et al. say that by doing so, Cablevision is rebroadcasting their programming and thus violating their copyright.
I for one fail to see any merit to this claim. There is very little difference between storing the data on a local server for later viewing and storing the data on a network server for later viewing, aside from Cablevision’s ability to charge for the network storage. I can see how the companies will structure their argument; I just think the argument is lousy.
I’m hoping this case is dismissed by a Rule 12(b) motion, since the Supreme Court has already ruled on this issue.
