Cablevision Lawsuit Didn’t Stop Innovation

Yesterday the Supreme Court declined to hear the television and movie producers' appeal from a Second Circuit decision which held that Cablevision's new Remote Server DVR did not violate copyright law.

This case is a complex copyright case and it is easy to get lost in the weeds.  However, I think there is value in looking at the big picture here.

The lawsuit didn't stop innovation and the court decisions in Cablevision's favor didn't somehow open the door for innovation to occur.

The innovation of a new technology service was already created when the content providers sued.  And, although the parties chose to pursue legal remedies, there is no doubt that the Remote Server DVR would eventually be offered to consumers.  It was just a matter of when and would Cablevision need to negotiate licensing fees with the copyright owners.

The Supreme Court's decision has its supporters and critics.  But what is important here is that the system worked.  Innovation is flourishing.  Copyright owners who make the content, on which technology thrives, legitimately sought to protect their interests.  Real issues of copyright law were debated. The courts determined where to strike the balance.  And consumers will experience new ways of enjoying media.  Yeah!