A PYMNTS Company

US: Hopper’s commercial-skipping services ruled legal in blow to broadcasting sector

 |  July 29, 2013

A federal judge handed down a ruling Wednesday that said Dish Network’s Hopper service, which allows television viewers to watch recorded shows without commercials, does not infringe copyright law. The win for Dish is a fresh blow to the once-dominant television media sector, which profits from commercials, according to ex-senior antitrust official at the US Department of Justice Gene Kimmelman. The ruling is “another indication of the slow erosion of a dominant media company’s control over distribution of content,” he said. According to reports, the ruling likely means competitors that offer similar program-recording services will follow-suit and allow viewers to skip commercials altogether. The decision ends a lawsuit initiated by Fox Broadcasting, which argued the practice violates US copyright law; a lower court rejected the case, a decision backed Wednesday by the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Judge Sidney Thomas emphasized in his ruling that viewers can do anything with their television content except resell it.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    Full Content: Washington Post

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.