Marketplace®
Every story is an economic story

Sony Betamax case paved the way for TiVo

In 1984, the Supreme Court approved the home recording of TV shows.

This final note: Something to think about the next time you cue up the TiVo to record something.

It was thirty years ago this week, on January 17, 1984, that the Supreme Court of the United States said it was okay to do that.

The technology was firmly analog — recording something from the TV onto videotape — but the principle was clear.

The Justices said home recording was fine, copyright-wise. (Speaking of old technologies, the case is known as the Sony Betamax case.)

Related Topics

Collections:

Tagged as:

Latest Episodes

View All Shows
  • Marketplace
    2 hours ago
    25:18
  • Marketplace Morning Report
    10 hours ago
    6:40
  • This Is Uncomfortable
    14 hours ago
    30:17
  • Marketplace Tech
    14 hours ago
    6:32
  • Million Bazillion
    3 days ago
    29:48
  • Make Me Smart
    5 months ago
    24:33