TiVo Customers Sue, Allege Defective Modems

Customers who bought TiVo Inc.’s television recorders sued the firm, claiming the modems in the devices, which let viewers pause and replay live broadcasts, are defective.

Alan Federbush and Mitchell Brink said they had to pay about $100 to get their recorders fixed when the modems broke after the 90-day warranty expired. Federbush and Brink seek class-action status for the false-advertising suit, which asks a judge to award damages and legal fees.

Customers pay $200 to $600 for the recorder manufactured by Sony Corp. and Philips Electronics. They also pay $9.95 a month for the service.

Rebecca Baer, a spokeswoman at Alviso, Calif.-based TiVo, said she couldn’t comment on pending litigation.

Federbush and Brink said TiVo misleads customers by boasting on its Web site that 96% of TiVo subscribers recommend the product to their friends and family.

TiVo shares fell 7 cents to $6.70 on Nasdaq.