COPYCENSE

” Online DVD rental services that deliver movies by mail are growing quickly, with more than 5 million subscribers nationwide. Now the company that pioneered the business, Netflix, is accusing Blockbuster of trying to copy its patented Internet business model.

“Netflix launched its service seven years ago in response to the founder’s frustration with late fees at video stores. Netflix subscribers can keep DVDs as long as they want. As soon as one is returned, a new movie is sent out from the customer’s online wish list. Netflix says that Blockbuster duplicated key features of that service when it launched its own online offering 19 months ago.”

Scott Horsley. Netflix Challenges Blockbuster Over Online Rentals. National Public Radio. April 10, 2006.

See also:

Eric Chabrow. A Patent Blockbuster. InformationWeek. April 10, 2006.

Gina Keating. Netflix May Face Tough Fight In Blockbuster Patent Suit. WashingtonPost.com. April 5, 2006.

CopyCense™: K. Matthew Dames on the law, business, and technology of digital content. A business venture of Seso Digital LLC.