Why Rovi is involved:
- Traceroute shows they own the server that supplies our listing updates.
- The script used by Guide Plus+ for Windows is on that server.
Yeah I knew that, but the question/potential issue is; what we previously used for updates (the domain or IP URL),
may not be the correct URL anymore. Yes, Rovi owns 144.198.100.134 and 152.101.67.132, and gemstar*.net domains, but those addresses possibly have nothing to do with getting updates any longer. The Registry settings under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Gemstar\ETV\URL
could need totally different URL's, and/or even from some other company.
Through aquisitions, Rovi owns Guide Plus+.
When did those acquisitions take place? A long time back, or right when this latest problem happened?
Are we even
sure Rovi
still owns Gemstar?
According to that URL I posted, they don't. At least not TVGuide, which who was last handling Gemstar (as per that email address I used last time).
We bought our hardware and software from ATI. When AMD bought ATI, they inherited some legal responsibility to accommodate us. To the best of my knowledge, our purchases included the free listings – with no expiry date specified.
Yeah, someone is always trying to make more $ off people with the ol' bait 'n switch routines. What I find puzzling, is why password protect the URL(s)? Either: they want to start charging the for the updates, or, the URL is no longer valid, it now may not have anything to do with updates. Since it is pw protected, I'm more inclined to believe the former, but if that was the case, how would they contact Gemstar users and tell them it will now cost??
Maybe we should be trying to deal with AMD. But the listing update action is done through Gemstar’s Guide Plus+ for Windows. AMD has no physical involvement.
I tried AMD years ago, and it was useless.
I’m no lawyer and I doubt lawyer involvement would be best for any of us. Nor do I think it will be necessary.
It wouldn't help anyway. All you'd get is something like "They are free to do whatever they please with their new acquisitions", blah blah..... (again, that is IF they are the right company).
The first statement Rovi makes describing their corporate culture is:
Customer focused – In all aspects of the business the customer drives our success. Loyal customers fuel success and growth. Customers are external and internal; we treat each other with respect and integrity and with the best interest of the customer in all interactions.
Like most companies, that's just "window dressing" and "eye candy".
Failing to resolve our problem would reflect poorly on them. I’m confident we just need to get the attention of the right person at Rovi.
It would probably take thousands of people and thousands of complaints for them to even begin to even consider anything. We have to remember, 99.9% of everyone using Gemstar/ETV is totally clueless and oblivious to even begin to know where to start. Just a small infinitesimal few like us know about it and to whom to complain.