In win for networks, federal judge issues temporary restraining order against FilmOn.com

A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against FilmOn.com Plc., a company that had been streaming the signals of television stations over the Internet without permission of the stations or the networks or producers whose programming was being streamed.

All four major networks -- Fox, CBS, ABC and NBC -- took FilmOn to court to stop the streams and, after a hearing held Monday, Naomi Reice Buchwald of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued the order.

The networks argued that FilmOn.com was violating copyright laws by taking the signals and streaming them without permission or compensation.

FilmOn.com is one of two companies the broadcast networks are currently battling. The other company is Ivi Inc., which has also been streaming the signals of TV stations. Ivi has filed a suit in U.S. District Court in Seattle in an effort to get a ruling that it is not violating the rights of the networks by streaming their content online.

The broadcast networks have also filed a suit against Ivi in the Southern District of New York and separately have asked that the Seattle case be moved there.

-- Joe Flint

Comments

[fg8578]

Interesting. Where do the "Open Access / Net Neutrality" supporters come down on this? Where are the proponents of "fair use" on this?

[Pimpingimp]

Sounds like someone needs two sets of knee and elbow pads.

[Morely Dotes]

Bloody idiots. Either FilmOn or Ivi would have made it possible for me to watch the network programs (complete with commercials) over my Internet connection. Since the networks don't want me to watch tehir programs, I shall oblige them. I'll watch streaming content from Netflix and foreign-nation TV, such as BBC. This is one household which will NOT accept the orders of the media giants as to what I am allowed to watch, or how I am allowed to watch it.

Of course, I wouldn't watch Fox if it were all that was available. I have books, and unlike Fox's target audience, I can read.

[Voice of Common Sense]

@Morely Dotes - Really? Why does it always come down to "Hehe Fox viewers can't read. I am obviously highly superior as I don't watch Fox!" I am willing to bet there are a few shows you enjoy or would if you would get down off your high horse.