U.S. judge says Internet streaming service should be treated like cable

A U.S. judge ruled on Thursday that online television service FilmOn X LLC should be treated like a traditional cable system in order to transmit the programs of the nation’s broadcasters over the Internet. The ruling, coming as consumer TV-watching habits are increasingly migrating to the Internet, is the first to first to view a streaming service like a cable provider and could have major implications for broadcasters if it is upheld by higher courts. Broadcasters have been aggressively litigating against such services, contending they violate their copyrights and threaten their ability to generate advertising and control subscription fees. U.S. District Judge George Wu in Los Angeles said in his ruling that FilmOn X is entitled to a compulsory license under the Copyright Act to retransmit the broadcasters’ programs if it meets the law’s requirements. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/17/us-filmon-copyright-ruling-idUSKCN0PR02620150717?feedType=RSS&feedName=internetNews http://advanced-television.com/2015/07/17/court-victory-for-filmon-in-copyright-licensing-fight/ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/tv-streamer-gets-huge-victory-809251 https://www.scribd.com/doc/271779007/filmon