Cablevision & Viacom Resolve iPad Streaming Dispute

**Waqas** · August 11, 2011

Cablevision and Viacom have announced that they’ve settled their legal dispute over Cablevision’s Optimum apps for iPhone and iPad.

In June, Viacom announced that it was suing Cablevision over its live streaming app for iOS. It allows Cablevision subscribers to use their iPad as a TV and to stream live and on-demand programming while inside their home. On Tuesday, Cablevision updated its app to support the iPhone and iPod touch.

Viacom claimed that by providing customers with access to live TV on the iPad, Cablevision was breaking its content distribution agreement. Cablevision’s response was that treating the iPad as any other cable box didn’t violate anything.

So how was it all settled? Very, very quietly. Check out this statement that the companies jointly released late Wednesday:

“Viacom and Cablevision have agreed to resolve their pending litigation, and the Viacom programming will continue to appear on Cablevision’s Optimum Apps for iPad and other IP devices. In reaching the settlement agreement, Cablevision and Viacom were able to resolve the iPad matter and an unrelated business matter to their mutual satisfaction.

Neither side is conceding its original legal position or will have further comment

. [emphasis ours]”

This isn’t the first time Viacom has faced off against cable providers over the iPad. In April, Viacom sued Time Warner Cable (who promptly countersued Viacom) over the fact that Time Warner’s iPad app allowed access to some Viacom-owned television networks. In June, the two companies entered a standstill agreement, putting litigation on hold.

Without knowing how this agreement ended up working out, it’s impossible to say who walked away with the upper hand. Regardless, it’s yet another example of the changes taking place in the content distribution space.

More About: cablevision, ipad, ipad streaming, lawsuits, tv, tv everywhere, viacom

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