This Legal Firefight Was Inevitable

Last week, Cisco Systems (NAS: CSCO) filed a defensive lawsuit against TiVo (NAS: TIVO) . The networking giant wants the courts to make it perfectly clear that it doesn't owe TiVo anything. And of course, that tactic led to an immediate lawsuit in the other direction.

Yep, TiVo is now suing Cisco over exactly the digital video recorder patents that Cisco wanted immunity from. Cisco claims it wants to protect "DVR products and our customers against TiVo's aggressive strategy of wrongfully asserting its patent claims." TiVo, on the other hand, claims that Cisco knew its set-top boxes infringed on TiVo's intellectual property -- the company was, after all, subpoenaed in two infringement cases that ultimately settled in TiVo's favor.

In those cases, TiVo collected $500 million from DISH Network (NAS: DISH) and more than $215 million from AT&T (NYS: T) , in exchange for the TV services gaining the licensed rights to sell DVR boxes. AT&T uses hardware from Cisco among others; DISH prefers to roll its own set-top boxes.

TiVo is still pursuing lawsuits against Verizon (NYS: VZ) and Time Warner Cable, with long-term plans to land proper license contracts with pretty much every cable and satellite provider that offers a DVR box. Many of them use Cisco hardware, and others could obviously switch to that brand if Cisco's boxes suddenly come fully licensed. That would put a serious spanner in the works for TiVo, which hopes to become a high-margin technology license wrangler in the long run.

As a TiVo shareholder, I appreciate the company's efforts to protect the business plan against a potential workaround. But TiVo is also filing this countersuit in the Eastern District of Texas -- a hallmark of your typical patent troll, given that district's tendency to side with patent owners. Yeah, it makes sense to file wherever your chances for victory are best, but this still leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. I'd consider selling my shares over this gaffe if the stock wasn't so gosh-darn cheap and undervalued right now.

The future of TiVo may hinge on these dueling patent cases. To keep a close eye on the proceedings, add the two sides of the legal conflict to your Foolish Watchlist. I also invite you to read one of our latest feature reports, titled "The Only Stock You Need To Profit From the NEW Technology Revolution." Inside we outline an innovative company, like TiVo, gearing up to help companies with the growing problem of "big data." Claim your free copy today.

At the time thisarticle was published Fool contributorAnders Bylundowns shares in TiVo but holds no other position in any of the companies mentioned. Check outAnders' holdings and bio, or follow him onTwitterandGoogle+. The Motley Fool owns shares of Cisco Systems and has adisclosure policy. We Fools don't all hold the same opinion, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days.

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