TV networks seek to stop FilmOn

Four top television networks have asked a federal court to stop the Internet video service FilmOn.com from offering TV channels over the web and on iPad for free.

FilmOn.com Plc, which claims to be the first high definition Internet television network, launched in September 2010 and was founded by British billionaire entrepreneur Alki David. The network's suit comes as start-ups have sought to bypass traditional media companies by offering programing to Internet users without paying fees to free-to-air channels. The networks, eager to control the way their programs are distributed, in September sued ivi Inc, a service that offers TV channels over the Web. Some TV networks have also blocked videos on their websites from Google Inc's Google TV. FilmOn, a Berlin-listed company, initially charged users $9.95 per month, to access "over 30 premium free-to-air television channels." But it began offering the service for free after the networks sued FilmOn days after its September 27 launch. David said FilmOn was well within its rights to rebroadcast networks offered for free over the air.

"The (US copyright) rules does not require the consent of the broadcast owner," David said, according to his reading of U.S. copyright law. David added he was in negotiations with two of the four plaintiffs in the lawsuit, but declined to name the companies.