TVC wins ground-breaking case against broadcasters

[TVC_Admin]

Tweet

TVCatchup is pleased to announce that the litigation brought against them by ITV and others has failed, and that TVC can continue without the constant interference of a handful of disgruntled broadcasters.

The London High Court today announced that the service provided by www.tvcatchup.com in the form of the live TV streaming of core UK channels (BBC, ITV, Channels 4 & 5) is perfectly lawful, and that users of the website can continue to enjoy access to streamed content without the need for aerials, satellite dishes, additional cabling, additional TV sets and so forth.

There are a few questions yet to be answered in respect of some of the less popular channels operated by such broadcasters, and these have been referred to the European Court of Justice for clarification. Whilst this is barely significant, it is a protracted process that will take some years and will not affect users of this website.

The resultant groundbreaking judgment follows nearly a year and a half of intense activity by TVC’s legal team, and it means that the site can now resume development of unique features enjoyed by a membership fast approaching 5 million regular users, unhindered by the constant distraction of those broadcasters unwilling or unable to match the quality, convenience and choice enjoyed by users of the site.

TVCatchup would like to thank the Hon Mr Justice Floyd, our legal team, our staff, our commercial partners and, of course, our valued members, for their support, friendship, patience, loyalty and encouragement throughout a period of uncertainty - a period in time that is now firmly behind us.

Additional clarification

In response to the inevitable attempt by the broadcasters concerned to dilute the groundbreaking nature of the victory against them, TVCatchup wishes to clarify the position for the record:

• The court denied the broadcasters their application to immediately close this website
  
• The court made significant rulings regarding the carriage of the most popular channels on this website, ruling the site perfectly lawful in carrying such content (which included channels operated by those bringing the action)
  
• The court ruled that the internet is a cable service, and therefore the same rights and privileges apply
  
• Several issues were referred to the ECJ for clarification, a matter that will take YEARS
  
• Even if the ECJ eventually ruled against TVC in respect of those minor issues, the impact on the site would be negligible

[Stubhoy]

Great news.

Congratulations.

[thanky]

Great news. A big thank you to all those who have worked hard to secure this result.

[tacoben]

That's really good. Hopefully those nasty broadcasters will give up trying to suck the money out of TVC with legal shenanigans. Well done all those behind the scenes working hard for the British Public and forcing television into the modern age.

[Jonathan]

That's excellent news, congratulations

Thank you for sticking with it and not giving up

[Smasher]

Congratulations to you and all at TVC.

Unbelievable that broadcasters were still bickering about this... perhaps they can now turn their attention to their own programming and creative content.

[djdynamix]

Great news! I know how hard Dan & all the "backroom boys" have been working on this. Now let's see if this groundbreaking High Court ruling gets any airtime on tonight's BBC news!

[37408]

well done , some of us need somthing like this as i aint wasting money on a set top box for it it lose channels on updates.
although it bumps up yer download limits , its a exellent site.....so its a big thanks to all you guys behind the scenes and yer legal team and the courts for allowing you to carry on bringing us TV in a different way.

[TVC_H4U]

A big congratulations to TVCatchup legal team and thank you to Hon Mr Justice Floyd.
With this time consuming and unfortunate hurdle behind us, its full speed ahead on delivering an excellent service.

[tartist]

Great news! Congratulations to all involved