TiVo & DRM

November 5, 2004

TiVo, that all-blessed invention, is going to be kicking up its Digital Rights Management to appease broadcasters.

TiVo is ratcheting up DRM restrictions on its subscribers with a couple of updates that will be rolled out to the DVRs in upcoming weeks. One patch will cause TiVos to automatically delete pay-per-view content after a preset period of time. According to a TiVo attorney, the change is being made due to DRM software maker Macrovision’s concerns over the upcoming TiVoToGo service, which will allow users to transfer programming from the TiVo to a PC.
Another change affects TiVo viewers’ ability to view NFL broadcasts. A new agreement with the NFL means that TiVo owners will not be able to view games outside of designated broadcast areas.

Seems okay so far, but that DRM is one slippery slope (as TiVo honcho Matthew Zinn has admitted). Let’s hope they don’t get carried away.

story via ars technica