TiVo Inc. launched one of the first digital video recorder (DVR) devices in 1999.  However TiVo has been facing competition from AT&T and Verizon, who provide DVR as a service through TV cable.  This is why TiVo has filed a lawsuit against both telecommunication companies at the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Texas.

TiVo is seeking damages and a permanent injunction from using the feature.  This complaint the same as the one made in a lawsuit against DISH/Echostar.  That complaint was made in 2004.  Initially TiVo was ruled to be awarded $105 million, but DISH/Echostar filed an appeal.  While the appeal was being made, DISH/Echostar designed new software that would replace the old video recording software.

TiVo claimed that DISH/Echostar was still infringing on their patent, but the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office dismissed a request from TiVo to have DISH/Echostar no longer have the ability to re-examine its patent.  DISH will be using the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office dismissal as part of their appeal in court.

DISH has about 14 million subscribers while AT&T U-Verse and Verizon FIOS cable services have a combined subscriber base of 4 million.