TV One Sues Viacom Networks Involving Essence Music Festival Copyright Infringement
Just announced by The Hollywood Reporter:
TV One, the producer of media footage for the New Orleans-held Essence Music Festival and owner of the fest’s recording rights until 2014, are alleging that Viacom-operated cable networks BET and MTV, aired footage they produced and failed to get their permission and were not compensated for the air time. TV One claims that they invested $1.5 million in the show in 2010 and $750,000 this past summer on TV right alone. They felt slighted after BET aired the verbatium footage, only substituting the TV One logo for their own during their re-broadcast.
Credits by the show’s producers were featured at the end of the BET and MTV re-air.
This past summer, a number of cease-and-desist letters were sent, but further actions seemed necessary, according to TV One. They are asking for “injunctive relief and damages for copyright infringement, torturous interference, and further business code violations of the state of California.”
BET and MTV are defending their actions, claiming the entertainment company Music World Music, owned by Mathew Knowles, provided them with the video footage to be published on their networks.
See you in court.
So what do you think?
BET and MTV in the wrong?
Should TV one expect a big paycheck?
Maybe a settlement?
Speak your mind.
Is this a big problem? IF I was in the shoe of TV ONe I would really go back to my investment and my contract on who is entitled to hold this footage. This should be fixed immediately though settlement if this is not going to work then be sure that this will really go a long way ahead in the court.
Karollow”>chauffage au sol électrique