Voodoo Vince

Internet start-up sues MediaCorp
Legal tussle over online recordings of TV shows that Web users can download
By K. C. Vijayan, Law Correspondent and Chua Hian Hou

AN INTERNET start-up is suing national broadcaster MediaCorp for millions of dollars, the latest step in a legal tussle that could redefine how Singaporeans record live television.

The firm, RecordTV, runs a website that allows users to download free-to-air programmes, like Prime Time Morning, and store them in an online database.

The media giant had threatened to sue the Singapore-based company, claiming the device flouts copyright rules.

But RecordTV launched a pre-emptive strike, claiming in court papers that MediaCorp's threats had cost the firm about $30.5 million in revenue and research grants.

The two sides appeared in court on Wednesday to discuss preliminary issues.

The stand-off appears headed towards an eventual High Court ruling that could have implications for users who use the Web to record and watch TV programmes.

It is not clear how widespread the practice is here, but many popular shows are readily available on file-sharing networks like BitTorrent and video-sharing site YouTube.

Currently, Singaporeans can use DVD players to record shows for themselves, but MediaCorp says the online recordings go beyond that.

The company alleged that it found 53 shows last July, originally broadcast on channels like Channel NewsAsia, Channel 5 and Channel U, on the RecordTV website. These included Money Mind, Singapore Tonight and CSI Miami III.

The digitised copies are usually stored online for about 15 days. MediaCorp claimed that was tantamount to making illegal copies.

RecordTV fired the first major salvo in the dispute last September, suing MediaCorp. The start-up said the media giant's legal threats cost it $23 million in revenue and $7.5 million in research funding, among other things. It is asking the court to stop MediaCorp from making any further threats, and is seeking damages.

A MediaCorp spokesman contacted yesterday declined comment, saying it was 'inappropriate' because the matter was ongoing.

The case is expected to go to a full trial towards the end of the year.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Sto...ry_254618.html

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People don't plan to fail... They fail to plan.

shingshing

Never heard of recordtv before. Just went to its website, looks pretty good lei.

StrikeJackpot

nvr heard of 2.

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Wanna Play ?

PinkLady

yah not famous at all not very famous liao

Tokyo is a cool place to go
& i want My Root Beer Float, Ice-cream Waffle, Curly Fries back!
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DRAYCO(:

RecordTV? What's the link?

Yongjin

it was be4 mobtv launch... and the cese of web casting of tv programs since the Singapore ONE days... when they started....tat they started doing online tv..... surprise to see mediacorp to come n try to sue them yet get counter sue lolz.....

Yong Jin
Profile Updated

uyen

didnt know got such thing.

人情味不是偏私而是博爱，

不是施舍而是关怀。

不是表面的礼貌，

而是内心的尊重。

Friends will bail you out of jail.but Best Friends will be sitting by you saying,
" that was awesome !"

Gela

recordtv? I only saw this at facebook

yukio

ppl use dvd player, record already put online.. also like that... -.-

hooolahoop

never heard of it.... but such cases will take ages to end lorr. haha

Sierra.

suing Mediacorp would definitely bring them publicity.

raph

they tink they big shot... in the end kana shot back!! lol

Blogshop

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...lets go back to basics

enirtep

mediacorpse should know where they stand

read my
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pretty please!