Free TiVo-for-Toys this Friday at TiVo HQ
update: Here's the full story, direct from TiVo PR:
Free, while supplies last, TiVo 40 hour Series2 DVR for new TiVo customers that provide a current Comcast cable bill and new gift (toy/clothing) for The Family Giving Tree Charity. Will be activating service on-site.
Time: 11am-1pm
Date: December 17, 2004
Place: TiVo, 2160 Gold Street, Alviso, CA (Yahoo Maps)
Why: Reinforcing our position as a champion for consumers and to deliver on the broken promise from Comcast to deliver DVRs to Bay Area customers. Best of all, bringing holiday cheer to those in need through our alliance with The Family Giving Tree.
Good on TiVo for doing this (and yes, an obvious dig at Comcast DVR customers). If you're in the Bay Area on Friday, help out a charity and get something cool in return.

http://news.com.com/TiVo+giveaway+has+lump+of+coal+for+Comcast/2100-1041_3-5492836.html
TiVo giveaway has lump of coal for Comcast - FREE TIVOS THIS FRIDAY AT TIVO HQ!
For TiVo, it's better to give than receive--especially when it involves poking a little fun at a competitor.
The digital video recorder company on Friday will give away 40GB Series 2 recorders to Comcast customers who bring their cable bill and a gift for The Family Giving Tree charity to TiVo headquarters in Alviso, Calif. The giveaway will last from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until they run out of units, and will be limited to one recorder per household.
Service fees are not included the giveaway, which is only for first-time TiVo owners.
Posted by: MegaZone | December 15, 2004 at 10:58 PM
Mega:
Do you have any insight / thoughts on the Echostar patent case, or TiVo's patents in general?
Thanks in advance.
Posted by: New York | December 15, 2004 at 11:05 PM
Hey
I see a rash of DIVO's on ebay this afternoon
Posted by: Dan` | December 16, 2004 at 07:23 AM
One caveat, Matt, is that only new customers are eligible to get these units. I was thinking this would be a good way to get a newer (and my second) unit, but apparently not.
OT: Did you get my email yesterday? Just wondering if it got caught in your spam filter. Subject line was "Contacting Prof. Lessig." Thanks.
Posted by: BillSaysThis | December 16, 2004 at 08:37 AM
And here is the link for more information, map to TiVo etc:
http://www.tivo.com/ilovetivo.asp
(Matt, maybe you use this link in your entry for this event?)
Posted by: T.W. | December 16, 2004 at 09:14 AM
While supplies last? How many are they planning in giving away?
Posted by: JD | December 16, 2004 at 10:43 AM
how do you know they will activate on site, and how will they tell if you have one already, credit card? cant you just use another?
Posted by: brian | December 16, 2004 at 10:37 PM
I just got my tivo. They had Plenty. Got there at 9:30 and when they started given them out at 11, I got mine at 11:35. When I left There was I long line from the where they were giving the Tivo around to the Freeway/Road. You could activate on site w/ Credit card, but I said I'll wait.
There was no way they new you had one, maybe unless later when they enter name and address.
Posted by: jd | December 17, 2004 at 01:21 PM
New York: Not really, sorry.
JD: Apparently they gave away 2,000 units, and about 500 more $50 coupons (bringing the price down to $50 after rebate) after they ran out.
Posted by: MegaZone | December 17, 2004 at 06:16 PM