LadyStanley
Registered User
http://wn.ktvu.com/story/29613866/eu-opens-antitrust-case-against-6-major-us-movie-studios
It may be in the future that the league may have to do a EU-wide deal rather than country-by-country.
Definitely one case to keep an eye on.
The European Union on Thursday launched an antitrust case against six major U.S. movie studios and British satellite broadcaster Sky UK, in a move that could profoundly shake up the highly lucrative pay-television market in Europe.
The EU's executive Commission has sent a so-called statement of objections to the companies regarding what it says are "contractual restrictions" preventing EU consumers outside Britain and Ireland from accessing the services of Sky UK.
...
In addition to Sky, which has cornered a large chunk of the British pay-TV market through its acquisition of sports and movie rights, the Commission sent its objections to NBCUniversal, Paramount Pictures, Sony, Twentieth Century Fox, Disney and Warner Bros.
In a statement, the Commission said it found clauses requiring Sky to block access to films through its online or satellite pay-TV services to consumers outside Britain and Ireland - so-called "geo-blocking."
As well as preventing consumers around Europe from accessing Sky's services, the Commission says contract clauses that grant "absolute territorial exclusivity" also run counter to the ideals of a free market.
It also said it found some contracts requiring studios to prevent their services from being made available in the two countries to companies other than Sky, another potential restrictive practice.
"We believe that this may be in breach of EU competition rules," Vestager said.
It may be in the future that the league may have to do a EU-wide deal rather than country-by-country.
Definitely one case to keep an eye on.
