Media giant Viacom has filed another lawsuit against another cable TV company over streaming video rights to Viacom's content. The Wall Street Journal reports that Viacom filed the suit against Cablevision, claiming that its recently launched Optimum iPad video app violates the terms of the cable TV company's contract with Viacom. Cablevision launched the iPad app back in April which offers its customers a way to stream many of Cablevision's TV channels. It also allows users to program their DVR and delete any recordings and other features.
In its lawsuit today, Viacom claims that while it is "committed to meeting consumer demand for broadband delivery of its programming" it added that in its opinion, Cablevision cannot "unilaterally change the terms of its contractual relationship" with the release of the iPad app. Viacom is seeking the shutdown of the app as well as other damages.
Ironically, another similar legal fight between Viacom and another cable TV company, Time Warner Cable, could actually be settled. Time Warner Cable released its own streaming video app for the iPad in March and Viacom also sued for similar reasons to today's lawsuit against Cablevision. However, according to Reuters, the judge that is ruling over the case has approved a "standstill" on any further movement in the case. The reason is that the judge wants to allow Viacom and Time Warner Cable time to "resolve this and other litigation and potential litigation" in this particular case.
Viacom owns a number of cable TV channels including MTV, Comedy Central, VHI and more.
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