Hollywood to Slingbox: Our Lawyers are Waiting

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060427-6691.html' target='_blank'>http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/pos...60427-6691.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Hollywood is not happy about the SlingBox, and that displeasure is becoming increasingly visible. The SlingBox is a device that "place-shifts" your television programming by streaming it across the Internet for remote viewing on a laptop or portable device, but the ability to watch your TV anywhere in the world is making some broadcasters nervous. HBO's Bob Zitter was the latest in a long line of television executives to make ominous rumbling noises about the legality of the new technology. No one has yet come out of the litigation closet to announce plans to sue the new company, but plenty of people are willing to question Sling's business model. Is this just FUD on the part of content owners, or does it have some basis in law? Sling, after all, has claimed repeatedly that it believes its system to be legal because it simply allows a consumer to watch their existing television channels on the road. A SlingBox does not broadcast to multiple users, and it does not record or archive video for later use."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060307-SlingBox.jpg" /><br /><br />Come on, Hollywood - there's always a reason to bring in the lawyers, isn't there? :roll: Less of the FUD, and more on the bigger picture: <a href="http://www.slingmedia.com/slingbox/">Slingbox</a> is out there to help consumers enjoy <b>more</b> of your media whenever and wherever.

[Pdaholic]

wow, this sounds really cool.

Please feel free to insert lawyer jokes here.

[ADBrown]

Oh for f--ks sake. Two words: Betamax decision. Any technology which has a substantial noninfringing use is legal. As far as Slingbox goes, I can't see how you would have an infringing use, period. Any statements to the contrary are nothing but bulls--t.

The studios just hate the fact that new technology means they lose control of the way people use entertainment. If they had their way, they would outlaw Slingbox, DVRs, the mute button, and going to the bathroom during a commercial. They just want legal protection for their old business model instead of accepting the future.

[alex_kac]

There are thousands of infringing uses of the SlingBox! I mean of course there is...um, well how about....no. Then there is ...ok so maybe not right now but I'm sure some hacker will come up and find some way for himself and at least one other person to do something illegal with it. I'm just sure of it!

[Tye]

Speaking only for myself, this is ironic because I actually watch more of their content (the networks) than before I had a Slingbox. This is within Austin, so they're not missing any target audience with me.

[buss]

Like most eveything else these knuckleheads are assuming the worst when there is so much that can be done with this technology.

I am the GM for a cable television company and have purchased 15 of these units. They are positioned at key points along our distribution system so we can monitor the quality of the service 24/7 without a truck roll and improve the quality of the service to the customers. Which by the way are the same people that are putting money into Hollywood's pocket with the monthly service fees.

[cardiacflash]

This is killing me to even think that its possible for them to consider such a move. I can tell you that this is a great device and I have been enjoying the hell out of it. As a matter of fact I am on the road and the hotel I'm in doesn't get the SciFi channel. So I watch it on my PC. Can't live without the SciFi channel. Come on Hollywood, give me a break.

[whydidnt]

Typical Hollywood, Upset they didn't think of it first and figure out a way to charge for a new way to view content. Instead they give us 2 dollar downloads from apple! :roll:

[heatlesssun]

I use Orb myself, since I have a Windows Media Center system, and the setup is just fantatic. Got my Pocket PC Phone and data plan just so that I could stream media and once again, Hollywood is trying to stiffle true innovation.

Right now, as ADBrown said, precedent is against them as streaming ones one content is perfectly leagl. What Hollowwood is watching for are "IP TV" staions poping up, slinging content to anyone, which is what they are probably hoping what happens so they can sue away.

It's time for consumers to start standing up. Big corporations are getting out of control. Its all of us little people that are making these top execs filthy rich, which is fine by me, but I am sick and tired of them trying to kill innovation to pad their wallets.

We need to start boycotting these companies, en mass, when they start pullling these manuvers.

I WILL disconnect my cable TV if they pull any crap with this. We all need to be in the same position. Hell, we all need to read more anyway.

[encece]

I cant boycott HBO until the Sopranos and Entourage seasons are over. Then I'm BOYCOTTING!

[ADBrown]

I cant boycott HBO until the Sopranos and Entourage seasons are over. Then I'm BOYCOTTING!

Deadwood starts up again in June.

[PDANEWBIE]

The SlingBox is a device that "place-shifts" your television programming by streaming it across the Internet for remote viewing on a laptop or portable device, but the ability to watch your TV anywhere in the world is making some broadcasters nervous.

I don't get it all your doing is basically grabbing cable subscription content on your laptop to watch later from a cable device of the channels you already are paying for right?

How does this differ from a VCR or DVD burner or a TIVO unit? All of which the legality isn't in question.

I understand strreaming they may not like but thats wherey ou have to determine arey ou just streaming for your own use OR is it being uses in dome P2P way that may violate rebroadcast laws.

What they need to address is streaming sharing and NOT the fact that this unit can rebroadcast something it recorded.

[lorcro2000]

Keep in mind that for the networks, the ideal they are shooting for is a channel that shows nothing but commercials, 24/7. Preferrably the consumer should also be chained to his chair and under no circumstances should he be allowed a remote control so he could switch channels.

Anything that threatens the existing model where they show what they want and you meekly sit in front of the TV and catch glimpses of it between the ads they really want you to see makes the execs go nuts and lash out in a knee-jerk reaction...

[goofy166]

Perhaps what the networks are worried about is the fact that as a sling user all I have to do is give out my sling ID and anyone can access my TV using the free sling player. But even so only one player can run at a time so I dont see how that is so bad for the networks. Fact is I just dont see what they are worried about as someone pointed out, I too watch more of there crap with the Sling then I ever did before.

[JohnJohn]

If anything, this device allows me to watch the show when it's on, no matter if I am home or not.

I used my Tivo less in the last few weeks while having Slingbox’s PPC client. I watch more commercials now.

Would HBO like me to Tivo it and FF through the commercials? If they really thought about it they should want more of this. :?

[k1darkknight]

... Would HBO like me to Tivo it and FF through the commercials? ...
Ummmm...doesn't HBO only have commercials between shows/movies?

[JohnJohn]

... Would HBO like me to Tivo it and FF through the commercials? ...
Ummmm...doesn't HBO only have commercials between shows/movies?

:lol: Very True, blows my theory