TiVo locks up technology licensing deal with Australia’s Telstra

Proving that even a distance of over 7,400 miles can’t protect a pay TV operator from TiVo’s long patent licensing collection arm, the San Jose, California-based tech vendor announced an IP agreement with Australia’s Telstra today. 

Under the multiyear deal, terms of which were not announced, the Down Under telecom will have access to TiVo’s IP portfolios for devices and applications. 

“Our long-term relationship with Telstra demonstrates how video service providers around the world enter into license agreements with TiVo to reach consumers with more innovative features and services,” said Arvin Patel, executive VP and chief intellectual property officer for Rovi Corp., a TiVo company, in a statement. “This announcement marks TiVo’s continued growth in the Australian market and the value our intellectual property brings to operators like Telstra, looking to bring advanced experiences to TV and beyond."

With the patent licensing engine of Rovi Corp. now folded into the TiVo brand—the result of a $1.1 billion purchase of TiVo by Rovi two years ago—the company has announced a flurry of IP licensing deals with pay TV operators recently. These deals have included Mediacom, as well as AT&T, Liberty Global and Sony PlayStation Vue.

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“TiVo has spent decades investing in research and development to create market-leading technologies for the media and entertainment industry,” a company statement said. “TiVo’s innovative solutions touch practically every aspect of consumers’ day-to-day interaction with their entertainment, enabling customers to build customized, next-generation digital entertainment solutions for users around the globe.”

For its part, Comcast remains steadfast in its refusal to pay TiVo licensing money for DVR technologies it says are outdated. 

Last month, Comcast filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals, seeking to move up its hearing as it continues to battle TiVo over patent licensing. 

Comcast is appealing a November ruling by the International Trade Commission which halted imports of X1 set-top boxes with two technologies the ITC ruled violated TiVo patents.