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EFF's ReplayTV suit ends

About a year and a half ago, the EFF along with five plantiffs (including Craig from Craigslist.org) brought about a suit against Hollywood studios in order to defend their rights to continue using ReplayTV, after the same companies sued ReplayTV (which eventually lead SonicBlue, ReplayTV's former owner, to bankruptcy).

Today, the 28 Media companies named in the suit agreed not to sue ReplayTV users, thus ending the EFF's case. Since this was a voluntary and early ending thanks to the media companies backing down, the court didn't rule that it was unlawful for them to sue in the future, though they have left a provision of protection to other ReplayTV owners in case Hollywood changes their mind.

The money quote:

"Skipping commercials is not illegal and neither is sending television shows from your home to your office, as one of our clients does," said EFF Staff Attorney Gwen Hinze. "We're pleased that we were able to protect our clients against unjustifiable copyright claims for exercising their fair use rights."

[thanks Steve]

by Matt Haughey January 12, 2004 in News

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