TV commercials can become a bit too annoying at times, especially when you are watching something which is much to your interest. Dish Network provides its viewers the option to skip over these commercials through PrimeTime Anytime and AutopHop features. Fox tried to have these two features blocked but a judge ruled against its attempts.
The features are available to such users who make use of Dish Network’s Hopper Whole-Home DVR. Of the two features, one is the PrimeTime Anytime. With the help of this feature, users can record prime time shows. Fox tried to pitch this as an essential infringement on copyrights but the court ruled against the plea.
Another feature that Disk Network offers, much to the delight of such viewers who don’t like watching commercials, is called ‘AutoHop.’ The feature, as the name suggests, allows users to ‘hop’ over commercials on certain shows.
Naturally, Fox is irked over this because TV advertisements are one of the its primary revenues. And the lesser number of viewers watch these ads, the lower is its revenue. Fox had brought the charge of unauthorized distribution against these features but the judge tossed these objections out. Moreover, the judge also ruled that Dish Network’s offerings are not in violation of its agreement with Fox.
The Executive Vice President of Dish, R Stanton, was naturally elated at the decision and commented, “Today’s ruling is a victory for common sense and customer choice … The ruling underscores the U.S. Supreme Court’s ‘Betamax’ decision, with the court confirming a consumer’s right to enjoy television as they want, when they want, including the reasonable right to skip commercials, if they so choose.”
Source: Dish
Courtesy: Slashgear
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