Big broadcasters sue non-profit that streams TV channels for free

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

TECHNOLOGY NEWS JULY 31, 2019 / 2:47 PM / UPDATED 3 HOURS AGO

Big broadcasters sue non-profit that streams TV channels for free

Helen Coster
3 MIN READ

(Reuters) - The four major U.S. television networks on Wednesday sued a non-profit group backed by AT&T Inc that streams TV channels over the internet for free without permission.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. district court in New York by CBS Corp, Comcast Corp’s NBCUniversal Media, Fox Corporation’s Fox Television Stations and Walt Disney Co’s ABC against Sports Fans Coalition NY (SFCNY) and its founder, David Goodfriend, a former executive at satellite TV provider Dish.

Major broadcasters traditionally charge cable and satellite pay television providers like AT&T and Dish a fee to distribute their content. But by giving viewers that content for free, the free service, Locast, is threatening these fees.

The lawsuit comes as disputes over renewing carriage deals have led to channels being pulled off the air.

“Locast has been operating for more than a year and a half, and no broadcaster has filed until now,” said David Hosp, an attorney at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, representing Goodfriend. Hosp said the group’s non-profit status and the fact that it was not charging for the service put it on “sound legal footing.”

-snip-

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-broadcasters-lawsuit/big-broadcasters-sue-non-profit-that-streams-tv-channels-for-free-idUSKCN1UQ2FT

[SoCalNative]

1. Seems rather ridiculous

They aren't charging for the service. The app is free. How is this any different than using a digital antenna to receive these channels for free?

[Callmecrazy]

3. Exactly...

The government declared long ago that the airwaves are public domain. They belong to the people and may receive it any way it wants.
In my view, they don't have a case.

[House of Roberts]

2. Since these are networks with local affiliate stations all over the country,

I believe this is about local exclusivity.
If a viewer is in Cincinnati and viewing a channel from Chicago, or somewhere else, this cheats the local station out of advertising to the local population. These networks owe their affiliates that protection.