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RecordTV.com, is an online DVR founded by Carlos Nicholas Fernandes that is one of only two Network-based DVR Services (Cablevision's RS-DVR being the other) to be declared legal, worldwide, according to the law firm, Olswang^[1]. RecordTV.com is the first and only 100% Cloud-based DVR to be declare legal.

History of RecordTV.com

RecordTV.com was originally a US-based company that provided cloud-based recording of any and all Cable TV channels its founder, David Simon had subscribed to, by any user on the Internet. The MPAA sued its founder, David Simon for copyright infringement. David Simon initially hired Ira Rothken to defend against the litigation, but eventually gave up, settled^[2] and decided to sell it's assets^[3].

Launch of RecordTV.com in Singapore

Carlos Nicholas Fernandes purchased the assets of RecordTV.com from David Simon, but then invented (and patented) a system to ensure that the newly launched DVR would be legal. Among other things, the RecordTV.com service was restricted to Singapore users alone and users were able to record only Singapore Free-to-Air content broadcasted by Singapore's state-owned broadcaster, MediaCorp. The RecordTV.com website was relaunched in July 2007 and went viral following press coverage. Shortly thereafter, on 24 July 2017 and 27 September 2017, RecordTV.com received two cease and desist letters^[4] alleging infringement by MediaCorp.

RecordTV.com vs. MediaCorp Litigation

RecordTV.com refused to comply with the demand to shutdown its website. Instead, RecordTV.com preemptively sued MediaCorp for groundless threats of copyright infringement proceedings^[5], claimed S$30.5 million in damages^[6] and continued to operate it's website.

One of the core legal issues that arose was whether RecordTV.com was recording content on behalf of its users or whether the users were using RecordTV.com to record TV shows they would otherwise be entitled to see. This was significant because the case would turn on the identity of the party making the copy - if it was the consumer, it could be considered for time-shifting and domestic use and therefore legal. If it was for the company, then, the company was recording it for commercial use and therefore illegal. Thus, the case would turn based on the identity of the party making the copy. MediaCorp was represented by Drew and Napier CEO and Senior Counsel, Davinder Singh who cross-examined RecordTV CEO, Carlos Nicholas Fernandes over 3.5 days during the trial. RecordTV.com lost the lawsuit in the High Court of Singapore, only to have the ruling overturned at the Court of Appeals where the Court ruled in favour of RecordTV and awarded costs and damages.

The litigation was declared to be a David vs. Goliath battle^[7], by the Business Times, the main business newspaper owned by the Singapore Press Holdings. Carlos Fernandes was subsequently named^[8] as a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum. The case has become one of the most seminal cases in copyright law. William Patry and David Post both well known legal scholars in the area of copyright wrote about the case on their respective blogs prior to the appeal^[9]. The ruling was even cited at WIPO^[10].

Introduction of Chase Play function and rebranding to InstantTV

As a result of the adverse ruling in the High Court, RecordTV had shut down its service. Following the reversal by the Court of Appeals, it RecordTV relaunched the service with a Chase Play function. The service was also renamed InstantTV, to emphasise the feature.

[1] ttp://www.cms-lawnow.com/-/media/nabarro-olswang-pdfs/olswang_cloudpvr_v4.pdf?la=en&hash=C8BC35D0BA7986B3427A18B40E904D9C38C22E67

[2] ttp://variety.com/2001/biz/news/recordtv-com-shut-down-1117797295/

[3] ttps://www.cnet.com/news/recordtv-com-to-sell-assets/

[4] ttp://www.singaporelaw.sg/sglaw/laws-of-singapore/case-law/free-law/high-court-judgments/13977-recordtv-pte-ltd-v-mediacorp-tv-singapore-pte-ltd-and-others-2009-sghc-287

[5] ttp://www.singaporelaw.sg/sglaw/laws-of-singapore/case-law/free-law/high-court-judgments/13977-recordtv-pte-ltd-v-mediacorp-tv-singapore-pte-ltd-and-others-2009-sghc-287

[6] ttps://www.mirandah.com/pressroom/item/74-singapore-copyright-infringement-online-tv-show-recording-service-sued-by-broadcasting-company/

[7] ttp://www.asiaone.com/News/The%2BBusiness%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20101202-250486.html

[8] ttps://www.weforum.org/people/carlos-fernandes

[9] ttp://williampatry.blogspot.sg/2010/03/singaporean-cablevision-case.html

[10] ttp://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/mdocs/en/wipo_reg_cr_sin_15/wipo_reg_cr_sin_15_t_18.pdf

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 The litigation was declared to be a David vs. Goliath battle<ref>http://www.asiaone.com/News/The%2BBusiness%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20101202-250486.html</ref>, by the Business Times, the main business newspaper owned by the Singapore Press Holdings. Carlos Fernandes was subsequently named<ref>https://www.weforum.org/people/carlos-fernandes</ref> as a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum. The case has become one of the most seminal cases in copyright law. [[William Patry]] and [[David Post]] both well known legal scholars in the area of copyright wrote about the case on their respective blogs prior to the appeal<ref>http://williampatry.blogspot.sg/2010/03/singaporean-cablevision-case.html</ref>. The ruling was even cited at WIPO<ref>http://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/mdocs/en/wipo_reg_cr_sin_15/wipo_reg_cr_sin_15_t_18.pdf</ref>.
+== Introduction of Chase Play function and rebranding to InstantTV ==
+As a result of the adverse ruling in the High Court, RecordTV had shut down its service. Following the reversal by the Court of Appeals, it RecordTV relaunched the service with a [[Chase Play]] function. The service was also renamed InstantTV, to emphasise the feature.