FCC Approves "TiVoToGo" Technology

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In an industry shaking move, the FCC “gave its blessing to 13 technologies that will enable copying digital programs for personal use while preventing their mass distribution on the Internet.” This decision comes just in time for the executives at TiVo. Sometime during fall 2004, they plan on releasing a new service called “TiVoToGo”. This new service will allow TiVo users to send previously recorded videos over the internet to other TiVos or even PCs. This is an extension of TiVo’s Home Media Option which currently only allows users to send videos to other TiVos on the same home network.

Allowing transfers over the internet opens up a whole new can of worms. Lawyers at the major TV and cable networks are already working overtime in response to the FCC’s decision. And content providers like the National Football League are already worried that TiVo users might start selling broadcasts of their games or transmitting them to black out markets. It was only a matter of time until video encountered the same issues that music already has. Maybe Steve Jobs will swoop in again and save the television industry the same way he saved the music industry. Let the legal work begin! [Source Forbes.com]