In a desperate attempt to survive, the French online PVR service Wizzgo has sent a letter and petition to president Nicolas Sarkozy claiming to protect “”the right to private video copying using an online service.” The letter is accompanied with 80,000 signatures.
Wizzgo launched its service last year, making it possible to record programmes from all free-to-air TV terrestrial channels, but soon broadcasters M6, TF1 and France Televisions started legal proceedings against the only PVR service. As a result, Wizzgo was banned from offering these channels and has now stopped its service.
Wizzgo claims that the principle of private copying is “in danger” if it does not show “its ability to adapt to technological changes of the digital revolution.”The company calls for “necessary changes” to the legislative framework for private copying.