TiVo agrees patent deal with Roku

TiVo has agreed a multi-year intellectual property (IP) licence agreement with Roku, in a move that will allow Roku to access TiVo’s entertainment metadata.

The IP licence covers the TiVo and Rovi Corporation patent portfolios as well as the over-the-top assets of the Intellectual Ventures patent portfolio under the TiVo/IV licensing partnership.

Roku also has the option to access TiVo metadata and other TiVo products to further power its intuitive search and navigation.

“This licence agreement with Roku underscores the importance of TiVo’s comprehensive patent portfolios for the fast-growing streaming entertainment industry,” said Samir Armaly, executive vice president, intellectual property and licensing, Rovi Corporation, a TiVo company.

“We look forward to supporting Roku with innovative entertainment enhancements that will be enjoyed for years to come by its current and future customers.”

The news comes in the same week that TiVo introduced ‘enhanced metadata’ packages that incorporate themes, keywords, images and related programs. The packages are aimed at studios, broadcasters and networks and are designed to make it easier for them to increase the visibility of their catalogues.

Roku also this week announced an update to its operating system that will use automatic content recognition to suggest viewing options based on TV viewing habits for Roku TV users in the US.