Cablevision Counters Nets, Studios Over Proposed DVR Service

Cablevision Systems Corp. counter-sued major networks and studios Wednesday over its proposed network DVR service.

Cablevision's contention is that viewers still control all functions regarding their DVR system--just like they do with in-home set top boxes. Cablevision's plan is to roll out a network DVR service that will digitally store each viewer's selected programming at its local cable head-end.

Cablevision says just like with set-top boxes, consumers will have their own dedicated computer memory, but this will be at the individual cable operator. Cablevision says that as a result, it is not in control of programs; it is not "re-transmitting" program signals.

Major networks and studios have claimed that Cablevision would indeed be re-transmitting program signals, and that is illegal. They filed a lawsuit against Cablevision on May 24.

Cablevision's counterclaim was filed against 20th Century Fox Film Corp., Universal City Studios, Paramount Pictures, Disney Enterprises, CBS Broadcasting, and ABC and NBC Studios. Cablevision wants a judgment that would declare that its "RS-DVR" service is not in violation of copyright laws.

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Turner Broadcasting System Inc.'s Cartoon Network and CNN also sued Cablevision in an attempt to block the network DVR, but Cablevision didn't name the Turner networks in its counterclaim.

Major networks and studios argued that Cablevision's network DVR is actually a video-on-demand service masked as a DVR. VOD program deals are license deals struck between the content provider and a cable operator or satellite distributor.

But Cablevision says its network DVR service is not VOD.

"The RS-DVR is no more a VOD service than traditional set-top-storage DVRs are VOD services," said Cablevision in its counterclaim.

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