-->
Save your FREE seat for Streaming Media Connect this August. Register Now!

FilmOn Gets Tentative Court Win to Stream Broadcast TV Content

Article Featured Image

The online video industry is about to see a replay of Aereo's legal battles, although no one is in doubt about the ultimate conclusion. On Thursday, U.S. District Court judge George Wu sided with online streaming service FilmOn, ruling that the major broadcast networks might be required to license their content to the service.

The Supreme Court's ruling against streaming service Aereo might have seemed to put such questions to rest, but Judge Wu sees things differently. Looking at the Federal Copyright Act's section 111, which allows cable and satellite companies to negotiate a rate for broadcast content, Wu sees no distinction between cable, satellite, and online services.

The ruling won't change anything in the short-term, however, as Judge Wu has issued an injunction to preserve the status quo, while also kicking the case upstairs to the Ninth Circuit of Appeals.

While reports have described the ruling as "devastating" and "a legal earthquake," FilmOn's courtroom success is likely to end soon. The courts have already ruled against Aereo and TV streaming service Ivi in similar cases.

“This advisory opinion contravenes all legal precedent,” Fox spokesman Scott Grogin said in a statement emailed to Bloomberg Business. “The court only found that FilmOn could potentially qualify for a compulsory license, and we do not believe that is a possibility. We will of course appeal and fully expect to prevail.”

Streaming Covers
Free
for qualified subscribers
Subscribe Now Current Issue Past Issues
Related Articles

VidAngel Loses Court Case on DVD Filtering and Streaming

By filtering past adult content and streaming DVD titles online, the service is violating Hollywood studio copyrights, a judge asserts.

Judge's Ruling Shows Rationale Against a License for FilmOn

The streaming service isn't entitled to a compulsory license to stream broadcast content, a District Court judge says.

Aereo Settles for $950K Broadcaster Payout on $99M Damages Claim

While broadcasters had looked for a large payout, Aereo didn't have the money to give. The company is left with $800K in the bank.

Aereo Loses Challenge in Supreme Court

In a 6-3 ruling, the court rejects Aereo's argument that it's more like a VCR than a cable company, forcing backers to eat their $100 million investment.

Ivi TV Hits a Roadblock

An injunction from a U.S. District Court has stopped Ivi from retransmitting over-the-air TV signals.