TiVo filed a patent infringement suit against EchoStar Communications in a Texas federal district court, alleging the satellite TV company with violating its "Time Warp" feature.

The patented feature allows viewers to record one program while playing back another, watch a program as it is being recorded and a storage format that supports TrickPlay capabilities, such as pausing a live television broadcast, instant replays and slow-motion.patent). The patent was issued to TiVo in May 2001.

"We've invested in building a comprehensive patent portfolio to protect our intellectual property and as the DVR category grows, we will be aggressive in protecting those assets," said Mike Ramsey, CEO of TiVo.