FilmOn moves to intervene in Supreme Court Case
The streaming TV giant files motion to intervene in battle between the major broadcast networks and rival Aereo before the Supreme Court seeking. FilmOn seeks to protect its interests, which are clearly at issue in this appeal but not represented by either party.
Beverly Hills, CA (February 3, 2014) – FilmOn, the world’s leading free TV streaming service, filed on January 31 a motion to intervene in the case before the Supreme Court, American Broad. Cos., v. Aereo, Inc. The motion shows that while FilmOn has been enjoined from offering its consumers access to Network content across most of the United States, Aereo is not subject to the same injunctions, has an incentive to leave the injunctions against its primary competitor intact and therefore may not adequately represent FilmOn’s interests before the Supreme Court.
FilmOn does not seek to delay the proceedings, it merely seeks to participate in the briefing and oral argument on appeal before the Court. For a copy of the filing email press@handtooledmedia.com.
Founder and CEO of FilmOn, Alki David, said, “How can Aereo honestly reflect our interests? We have more content, more users, and better technology. And our service is free.”
FIlmOn and Aereo are the two main competitors in a rapidly growing high-tech industry that provides consumers with improved access and convenience to television content. Broadcast networks, which are granted a license by the FCC to use the public airwaves, are already required by law to provide their content for free. In the past consumers who wanted to watch this free content had to buy antennas, DVRs or VCRs in order to capture and record content for later viewing. Now, due to technological innovation, they can control the same content over the Internet via remote antennas and DVRs stored at facilities operated by FilmOn. The Networks are attempting to impede technological progress, plain and simple.
“Less than 3% of our business in the US relies on Network Television access,” says David. “However, the right of the innovator and right for the public access to the television spectrum entrusted to the major networks, entitles us to offer this technology to consumers. Does a TV set manufacturer get sued for having free to air TV available in its tuner technology? Our commitment to this fight against the Networks is based on principle rather than anything else. The tens of millions of downloads of the various FilmOn apps is based on content that we have uniquely aggregated and licensed. Since its release Aereo’s Android app has had less than 100,000 downloads, compared to our 40 million downloads of various FilmOn apps. We offer a far more diverse and integrated content and technological offering and unlike Aereo, it’s free!”
About FilmOn Networks:
Founded by Greek billionaire and media entrepreneur, Alki David, FilmOn is the world's number one free TV service and number one live TV app with 40 million downloads. FilmOn offers over 600 live TV channels including original programming, 600 video and audio podcasts from premium brands as well as over 45,000 video on demand titles at FilmOn.com and other destination sites online, including BattleCam.com. Last month the site's 40 million users generated 1.2 billion video streams. The service is available globally via computers, smartphones, tablets as well as the FilmOn App for iOS 7, Android, Windows 8 and IP-enabled set-top boxes and devices.
With offices in Beverly Hills and London and data-centers in Los Angeles, London, and Geneva, FilmOn curates the best of free televised entertainment from around the globe. FilmOn TV is an Independent TV Broadcaster with stations in the UK (Sky Channel 292 and Freesat channel 410 and throughout the US. For more information please visit FilmOn.com and connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.
About Alki David:
FilmOn Founder and CEO, Alki David, is a serial Internet entrepreneur and shipping magnate. Born in Nigeria, raised in Greece, London and Switzerland, he is listed as the 45th richest man in the United Kingdom by the London Times Magazine's "Rich List."
For a copy of the filing, more information on FilmOn, or to request an interview with Alki David, contact:
Jeff Stern
press@handtooledmedia.com
310-383-4991
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