Rovi, Dish Sign Patent Agreement That Also Covers Dish/TiVo IP Issues

Rovi and Dish Network signed a 10-year patent renewal license agreement that extends Dish's access to Rovi's Conversation Services natural language platform and other intellectual property, Rovi said in a news release Monday. Rovi said nine of the 10 largest U.S. pay TV operators have license agreements with it, with seven of those signed in the past seven quarters. It said the patent license renewal is subject to certain contingencies relating to the closing of Rovi’s acquisition of TiVo, which is expected to become effective Sept. 7. Dish also will give TiVo a release for past products and a going-forward covenant not to sue under Dish's existing patents during the 10-year license term, Rovi said in a SEC filing Monday. In exchange, Rovi said, TiVo will provide Dish some products during the 10-year span and also pay Dish $60 million over the next year.